How to pair natural wine with lamb

There's something close to magical about pairing the perfect glass of wine alongside a delicious dish. Here at Forest Wines, we're all about those "wow" moments when flavours come together just right. But we get it, pairing food and wine can be daunting, so we created this series of guides to help you pair your favourite foods with your favourite natural wines. And as Easter is around the corner, here's our first pairing guide: How to pair Lamb?

We've all been there, standing in front of the wine shelf wondering what to drink with tonight's dinner. When it comes to lamb, should you play it safe with that classic Bordeaux, or is there something more exciting in the natural wine world that would take your meal to the next level? Good news: we've done the research for you (tough job, but someone had to do it!).

First things first, what is the flavour profile of lamb?

Before we dive into bottles, let's talk about what makes lamb so recognisable and special. Lamb has this beautiful range of flavours that changes depending on:

• How it's raised: Grass-fed lamb has these lovely herbal notes that work practically well with certain wines, while organic lamb brings a cleaner, more distinct flavour profile with subtle sweetness. Both choices reflect the same mindful approach we value in our natural winemakers – respect for the land and the animal's natural diet.
• Which cut you choose: A delicate rack feels like a completely different meat than a rich, slow-cooked shoulder. 
• How you cook it: From quickly seared chops to eight-hour roasts, your cooking method completely transforms the experience.

This great versatility means we get to play with all sorts of natural wine pairings: from light and bright to deep and complex. No matter what lamb dish you're making, there's a natural wine out there that will make you and your dinner guests very happy.

Red wines that are made for Lamb

Wine and food pairing queen Victoria Moore, in The Wine Dine Dictionary, said it, there is a grape which seem to have been made just for lamb: cabernet sauvignon. And while she's right, here's a slightly more extensive list of the best lamb wine pairings: 

Natural Syrah or Shiraz

Lamb and natural Syrah have such great compatibility. It's especially true if you're going for Middle-Eastern / Mediterranean flavours with a hint of spice, thyme, garlic and peppers. Here's why they work so beautifully together:

• Syrah brings peppery notes that spotlight lamb's savoury side
• Its dark fruit character adds lovely depth without overwhelming
• The tannins in Syrah help cut through the lamb's richness, cleansing your palate between bites

Try our favourite Syrah with lamb: 

• Intellego Syrah (Swartland, South Africa) - £24: a perfect balance of elegance and energy, this wine pairs very well with lamb. Its aromas of lavender, purple and black fruits, and a hint of white pepper enhance the rich, earthy flavours of the meat. The refreshing acidity and wild herb notes bring a fresh contrast, making it an ideal match for lamb dishes, especially when roasted or grilled.
  
• Xavier Goodridge Stone Spring Shiraz (Victoria, Australia) - £16: a softer, more playful take on the variety, this wine is perfect for enjoying with lamb year-round. Its rich bramble fruits, stewed plum, and peppery kick complement the tender, savoury flavours of lamb, while its vibrant tannins and tart finish help cut through the richness of the meat.
  
• El Risco Tinto Calatayud (Aragon, Spain) - £15: a bold red blend with dried herb notes and a hint of spice, this wine’s full body and complexity make it a great match for lamb. The richness of the meat is perfectly balanced by the wine’s savoury flavours, ideal for a hearty roast or grilled cut.

Tempranillo

Spanish Tempranillo from small, thoughtful producers creates another beautiful pairing with roasted lamb (try the classic lecho al horno: slow-roasted suckling lamb cooked in an open oven). This grape is the star of Spain's most famous wine region: Rioja, which offer a wide range of vineyards, from conventional to more progressive ones focusing on biodynamic and natural practices. Look for natural versions that offer:

• Earthy notes that complement the lamb's deeper flavours
• Bright cherry character that lifts each bite
• Just enough structure to stand up to the meat without overpowering it

Try our favourite Tempranillo with lamb:

• Gran Cerdo Tempranillo (Rioja, Spain) - £14: a declassified Rioja from a winemaker who break with tradition, this wine is perfect with lamb. Its red fruit and cassis aromas complement the meat’s richness, while the juicy acidity and fresh finish balance the fattiness of lamb, making it a great match for any dish.
  
• Don Tinto Tempranillo (La Mancha, Spain) - £13: a crowd favourite from the makers of Chin Chin, this seriously drinkable 100% Tempranillo is great for lamb. Its black cherry fruit and vanilla spice complement the meat's savoury flavours, while the silky texture and subtle oak ageing add depth, making it an excellent pairing for roast or grilled meats.
  
• Milu (Ribera del Duero, Spain) - £21: a fun, juicy Tempranillo from Ribera del Duero, and it pairs beautifully with lamb. Its vibrant plum and cherry notes, along with a spiced twist, complement the flavours of the meat. The lighter body and herbaceous touch balance the richness of lamb, making it a great match for grilled or roasted cuts.
  

Loire Cabernet Franc

For medium-bodied red lovers, natural Cabernet Franc from the Loire Valley offers a slightly different but equally delicious approach:

• Beautiful herbal notes that echo herbs commonly used with lamb
• Bright red fruit that provides a lovely contrast
• Refreshing acidity that keeps your palate happy bite after bite

Try our favourite Cabernet Franc with lamb:

• L'Hurluberlu Sebastien David (Loire Valley, France) - £21: vibrant fruit flavours of red berries, cherries, and plums. The herbal notes and touch of earthiness complement the rich, savoury lamb, while the fresh acidity and expressive aromatics add balance, making it a perfect pairing for a range of lamb dishes.
  
• Domaine des Roches Neuves, Thierry Germain, Saumur-Champigny (Loire Valley, France) - £24: lively aromas of irises, violets, and red fruits. The balanced, ripe palate and smoky finish complement the rich flavours of lamb, while the subtle tannins provide structure, an ideal pairing for grilled or roasted lamb.
  
• Olga Raffault, Chinon 'Les Barnabes' (Loire Valley, France) - £28: a perfect match for lamb, it offers flavours of dark berries, blackcurrants, and herbs. Its smooth tannins and balanced acidity complement the richness of the meat, while a touch of earthiness enhances the savoury qualities of lamb, making it ideal for grilled or roasted dishes.
  

Unexpected pairings that also work

Orange Wine

Don't let anyone tell you that orange wines (skin-contact whites) can't be paired with lamb: they absolutely can! The right ones offer:

• Surprising tannic structure similar to red wines
• Complex aromatics that elevate herb-forward lamb dishes
• Nutty, sometimes oxidative qualities that love slow-cooked preparations

Try our favourite Orange wine with lamb:

• Tragolargo Blanco, Casa Balaguer Vinessens (Valencia, Spain) - £20: with its fresh acidity and rich honey, citrus, and floral notes, is a great match for lamb. The wine’s lively texture and mineral finish balance the richness of the meat, while its depth and complexity from skin contact add a lovely contrast to lamb’s savoury flavours. Perfect for grilled or roasted cuts.
  

White wine

When in doubt, pair your dish with a wine from the same region. And what better place to look for inspiration than Greece when it comes to pairing wine with lamb? Assyrtiko, the native white grape from Santorini, is a perfect match for a spring or Easter lamb dish, here’s why:

• Lively acidity that keeps everything balanced
• Mineral notes that enhance the meat's savoury depth
• Citrus and herbal aromas that add a refreshing twist

Try our favourite Greek wine with lamb:

• Artisans Vignerons de Naoussa, 'Skyphos' Assyrtiko (Naoussa, Greece) - £21: a brilliant match for lamb. Its crisp acidity, lemon zest, and elderflower notes bring freshness, while a hint of salinity and subtle smokiness complement the meat perfectly. Unfiltered and natural, it’s a smooth, rich wine that pairs effortlessly with lamb.
  

Create your own perfect pairings

Here are some friendly tips for your own lamb and wine pairing adventures:

1. Match intensity with intensity: delicate lamb dishes love lighter wines; rich, robust lamb dishes call for wines with more body and structure.
2. Think about the whole plate: sometimes the herbs and spices guide your wine choice more than the lamb itself.
3. Regional pairings often work beautifully: there's usually a good reason why local wines evolved alongside local cuisine.
4. Trust your taste: at the end of the day, the best pairing is the one that makes you happy!

Still not sure? Come chat with us at Forest Wines

At Forest Wines, we're genuinely passionate about natural wines made by real people who care deeply about their land, their grapes, and their craft. Our shelves are filled with bottles that tell stories of places, traditions, and the wonderful humans behind them.

Whether you're planning a special lamb dinner or just grabbing something for a weeknight meal, we'd love to help you find the perfect bottle. Pop by the shop for a chat. We promise no wine snobbery, just honest recommendations from people who love helping others discover new favourites.

Forest Wines – where natural wine is approachable, fun, and always delicious. Because life's too short not to drink happy wines!