Lamb Wine Pairing

Lamb meat is gamey and intense and as bold as beef or more. Lamb dishes also have a wild, rustic feel that makes it best compatible with red wine, but not just any red; only those who share lamb’s untameable personality.

To pair lamb successfully, you need a bold red wine with gritty tannins and ripe fruit, commonly found in France’s warmest regions, mainly Languedoc, the Southwest and the Rhône Valley.

You’ll find in the famous warm-climate grapes the proper ripeness to match lamb’s flavour, and since these grapes are often spicy and herbal, the pairing will work on many levels, even with the dishes’ seasoning. Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre and Carignan are natural wine pairings with lamb. Full-bodied wines made with Cabernet Franc, Fer and Merlot, might also be up to the task.

If pairing lamb with Pinot Noir, make sure it comes from a vineyard known for its bold expressions, like Pommard, as lamb can easily overwhelm more delicate examples. Red blends are often complex and robust enough to pair with lamb as well, as long as they come from southern regions of warmer vintages.