A Guide to Pairing Wines with Lamb

A GUIDE TO PAIRING WINES WITH LAMB  

Whether you’re serving our grass-fed free-range lamb with Easter dinner or another special occasion, we sell several wonderful wines that pair perfectly with the savoury dish. The most popular pairings for lamb tend to be red wines such as cabernet sauvignon, Bordeaux, Syrah and Chianti. White wine may seem like an unconventional pairing, but certain ones can complement lamb nicely. The white wines that tend to pair the best are those with unique flavour profiles and enough structure to stand up to the meat. Continue reading to find the best pairing for your next lamb dish. 

WHITE WINES 

Though this isn’t a common pairing it doesn’t mean you can’t do it or that it won’t taste good. Wine pairing is all about what you like as well as what tastes good together.  

A crisp Sauvignon Blanc is a nice pairing with lighter lamb dishes such as chops or a roast leg of lamb. Sauvignon Blanc offers good acidity, providing a fresh contrast to the richness of the lamb and helps bring out its more delicate flavours.  

Chardonnay offers a bit more body than Sauvignon Blanc, with a creamy texture and notes of ripe fruits, vanilla and butter. Chardonnay goes particularly well with grilled or roasted lamb to bring out its more delicate flavours.  

RED WINES  

If you’re choosing a red wine to accompany your lamb dish you have a few varietals to choose from. Keep reading to discover which one goes best with your taste preferences. 

Merlot is a slightly softer and more approachable red wine, and it makes an excellent choice to pair with lamb. Merlot’s velvety texture and moderate tannins provide a smooth contrast a smooth contrast to the intensity of the meat. Merlots with notes of red berries, plums, and a touch of chocolate will beautifully enhance the natural sweetness of lamb. A well-balanced Merlot will go with grilled, braised, or roasted lamb adding a touch of elegance to the meal.  

Pairing a Syrah with lamb will give it an added punch of flavour if that's what you’re looking for. This is a versatile red wine that can be a delightful companion to lamb in various forms. The wine’s bold and peppery characteristics complement the savoury and gamey flavours of the lamb. Syrah is often full of dark fruit flavours, such as blackberry and blueberry which go nicely with the earthy flavours of grass-fed lamb.  

Known for bold and full-bodied character, Cabernet Sauvignon is a classic pairing option for lamb. The high acidity of this wine cuts through the richness of the lamb, creating a lovely, harmonious balance. The dark fruit flavours found in Cabernet Sauvignon such as blackberry and plum, compliment the savoury notes, with hints of herbs and spices adding complexity to the pairing.