What to drink with Lamb

General rules for food and wine pairing

Pairing wine with food always revolves around one principle: the wine should complement the key elements of the dish. Consider the sweetness, saltiness, acidity, and how light or heavy it is, as well as whether it includes rich sauces or the sommelier’s challenge – tomatoes. I've covered some of the main options below, but if you'd like more precise pairings, please feel free to get in touch.

What to drink with lamb

The most traditional Easter lunch of all, is of course the leg of lamb, preferably new season, cooked simply with potatoes and vegetables tossed in a little butter or olive oil. Passover too is a time when lamb features on the celebratory table and in 2024, despite the pressure on prices and move towards more meat-free eating, there was a 6% increase in volume sales of lamb in retail with no signs of this abating in 2025. (AHBD, Kantar, 52 w/e 1 December 2024.)

The wine pairing options for a meal like this, which is neither heavy on the spice, nor the cream, is a sommelier's dream as there are so many good options. As always, it's important to match the general body and weight of the wine with the food. Lamb is a relatively rich meat and it needs a wine that can combat that richness without overpowering the delicate flavours of the meat. I would always recommend a red wine with lamb, but if you really don't do red, then a good, full bodied rosé or a richer white would also work well.

Why do we eat lamb at this time of year?

The links to the British love of lamb in March and April can be found in the religious calendar. For Christians who have been fasting throughout Lent, Easter Sunday is the first day they are allowed to eat meat after 40 days of lent and ties in with the concept of Jesus as the 'lamb of God'. This in itself dates back to Jewish traditions whereby a lamb is sacrificed during Passover.

While Spring lamb is the best of the best, it is very often not ready in time for Easter itself, but nonetheless the meat remains at the top of the UK charts for most popular meat for Easter.

Many people who enjoy lamb at Easter aren't necessarily doing so for religious reasons, but because it has become part of our cultural landscape.

What to drink with a roast leg of lamb

Roast lamb is the most popular choice - generally leg, but also shoulder. And as above, there is no sign that this is abating, despite the rise in popularity of meat-free diets. In fact, the AHDB reports that the latest data from 2023 shows that in the two weeks leading up to Easter, 9.7 million kg of roasting joints were sold through retailers which was an increase of 25.55 on the previous year.

In terms of wine, we are really spoiled for choice when it comes to serving it with roast lamb, but I will likely be drinking a good Cotes du Rhone, or possibly a Bordeaux, depending on the cut of lamb we end up with, the way that it's cooked and my mood!

What to drink with a rack of lamb

A rack of lamb is the most delicate, and the most expensive cut of lamb and I'd be inclined to either stick with Bordeaux, or go for a good Pinot Noir. For non red wine drinkers you could get away with a Rosé de Provence here - although nothing too light. The wine still needs to hold its own.

What to drink with shoulder of lamb

Lamb shoulder is so versatile and features heavily on my menu throughout the year. Heavily spiced Moroccan style, slow cooked indian rubbed, mediterranean style with herbs and roasted vegetables, the list is endless. Argentinian Malbec would be a good choice for these richer, spicier dishes, as well as an Australian Shiraz or a full-bodied Cotes du Rhone.

What to drink with lamb stews and casseroles

For a plain lamb stew, choose a soft red such as a Chinon or a Saint Nicolas de Bourgeuil or a Valpolicella if it has a tomato based sauce. Tomatoes are tricky to match with wine, due to their high acidity alhtough some of this is tempered in a rich lamb stew as it mixes with the fattiness of the meat.

In short...

Lamb is ideally matched with a whole range of wines, so with a little consideration to the cut and cooking style, you can serve up a festive feast or a special meal that will leave everyone wanting more.