In order to enhance your dishes, the harmony between the dishes and the wine chosen for the meal must be harmonious. A meat with marked flavors, lamb lends itself to many pairings, mainly with red wines with a strong structure. To guide you through the possibilities to consider, here is a panel of wines likely to accompany a dish based on lamb.
An ideal pairing with Pauillac wines
The first choice to go with lamb meat remains the wines of Pauillac. These red wines are delicious with a lamb from the same region, for a natural harmony between local products. A strong and balanced wine at the same time constitutes the perfect counterpart to the tender and tasty flesh of the lamb. Among the Pauillac wines to recommend, it is possible to mention the 1996, 1997 or 1999 vintages, but also the years 2001 and 2002. The vintages that are too young should be avoided. A mature Pauillac wine is distinguished by a complex nose and a persistent palate, thus bringing its tannins a harmonious accord with the finesse of the meat. If you have the possibility, a Pauillac wine is the best choice for a lamb dish.
Red wines with character
With their responsiveness and their personality, many red wines are able to accompany a lamb recipe in the best possible way. A balance must always be found with the strength of the wine, provided by the more or less pronounced presence of tannin. Fleshy wines can be chosen with this in mind, such as a Châteauneuf du Pape or a Gigondas. In the northern Rhône Valley, the Syrah grape variety is another very possible option. The wines of the South-West are able to bring a very nice match to a dish of lamb. Alain Brumont’s wines, for vintages prior to 2009 in particular, are an elegant solution to consider. Languedoc wines, known for their spicy notes, offer a wide range of equally interesting grape varieties. We should not also neglect the wines of Burgundy, more slender, such as Chambolle-Musigny, Vougeot or even Nuits-Saint-Georges.
The choice of spicy aromas
To accompany strong meat such as leg of lamb, a red wine with rich aromas is a logical choice. The spice notes go particularly well with such a dish, which is why a wine offering a beautiful structure in the mouth like Gigondas has many advantages. The aromas of black and red fruits, which are very often found with red wines from Languedoc, allow an absolutely superb pairing with lamb. With such a wine, the marked presence of the fruit ensures a harmonious and surprising association. To enjoy a roast leg of lamb, a red wine like Crozes-Hermitage is a real treat. The elegance of its tannins is ideal for highlighting the delicacy of lamb meat.
White wines for an atypical alliance
You can also play the originality card by favoring a white wine instead of red wine. The Crozes-Hermitage appellation is again a suitable choice. These are fatty and balanced white wines, whose aromas of white flowers and dried fruits work wonders with a leg of lamb. It is possible to recommend a white wine from the Rhône Valley such as Condrieu for a lamb tasting. The apricot and violet aromas of this wine go perfectly with a shoulder of lamb. In all cases, it is important to favor mature wines for a better harmony with the flesh of the lamb.
Finally, do not hesitate to consult the summary table of the Revue du Vin de France to find the main principles of food and wine pairings. </p
