Recommended Grape for Spring's Lamb Dinner: Easter Wine Selection
Lamb, a flavoursome and versatile meat, is a popular choice for many meals, and finding the perfect wine to complement it can elevate the dining experience. Here are some classic red wine styles that pair well with lamb dishes, as recommended by wine experts and chefs.
Slow-cooked roast lamb shoulder calls for wines with lots of acidity and fruit sweetness. A Pinot Noir from New Zealand, known for its bright acidity and red fruit flavours, is an excellent choice. For those who prefer a bolder wine, Rioja is often lauded as a great match for lamb, particularly with grilled lamb cooked over an open fire.
Individual lamb chops can be paired with juicy wines with a strong tannic structure. Barolo or Barbaresco, both famous Italian wines, fit the bill perfectly. For a fuller-bodied wine, a Pauillac from Bordeaux is best paired with a rack of lamb.
When it comes to roast lamb served medium to well done, which is richer in flavour and not as tender, Cabernet Sauvignon can be a suitable companion. Its classic cassis fruit, tannic structure, and backbone of acidity make a delightful dining partner for a hearty roast lamb.
Amy Wislocki from Majestic, a Greek red wine retailer, recommends a wine made mainly from Agiorgitiko with a little Shiraz for roast lamb. For a more robust flavour, a Northern Rhône Syrah will enhance your roast lamb.
Grenache blends, including Châteauneuf-du-Pape wines, are recommended with a slow-roast shoulder of older lamb. Chef Frederic Braud recommended the 2010 vintage grand vin from Chateau d'Issan in Bordeaux's Margaux appellation for a slow-cooked roast leg of lamb.
Julie Sheppard enjoys a Marks & Spencer wine made from Xinomavro grapes for food pairing, particularly with moussaka (which can contain lamb or beef mince). For simply grilled lamb chops, Bonny Doon's Le Cigare Orange, an orange wine from California's central coast, is a good match.
Experts also recommend red wines such as Bordeaux, Rioja Reserva, and Shiraz as suitable companions for lamb dishes. Good Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot blends can be found in regions such as Hawke's Bay (New Zealand), California (USA), Coonawarra & Margaret River (Australia), Stellenbosch (South Africa), Argentina, and Chile (South America).
Remember, the pairing of wine and food is a personal preference, and what works best may vary from person to person. However, these recommendations serve as a starting point for exploring the world of wine and lamb pairings.
This article was refreshed in April 2025. Happy wine and dine!
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