Pairing Guide

Lamb & Syrah: The Perfect Pairing

Gamey lamb. Peppery Syrah. They were built for each other.

Why This Pairing Works

Syrah's black pepper and smoky edge lines up perfectly with lamb's gamey, slightly wild flavor. Rhône Syrah especially has a savory, meaty quality that tastes like it was designed for roast lamb. The wine's tannins handle the fat. Its dark fruit softens the gaminess. Everything rounds out.

You can go New World Shiraz if you want more fruit forward, or Northern Rhône if you want restraint and earth. Both work. Pick based on how aggressively the lamb is seasoned.

Pairing Tips

  • 1.Rosemary and garlic on the lamb make Syrah even better. The herbal match is natural
  • 2.Medium-rare is the sweet spot. Overcook the lamb and you lose the wine pairing
  • 3.Northern Rhône (Crozes-Hermitage, Saint-Joseph) is the classic call

Alternative Wines

Related Pairings

Learn more about Syrah.