Is Cabernet or Zinfandel better for Lamb?
Does Zinfandel go with lamb? Rack of Lamb and Zinfandel. Cabernet is lamb's classic partner, but the sweet figs in this port sauce make a delicious, jammy Zin an even better choice. While Cabernet Sauvignon has long been considered the classic match with lamb, there's a better wine for this particular dish: a refined Bordeaux-style Zinfandel.
What does Zinfandel pair best with?
· For a nice California Zinfandel, give The Seven Deadly Zins a try. The style is wonderful with lamb, and this particular affordable bottle encapsulates the famous red wine perfectly. That should be no surprise because it’s a blend from seven old-vine zinfandel vineyards in the Lodi AVA of California’s Central Valley, where zin is king.
What wine goes with lamb shanks?
· While Cabernet Sauvignon has long been considered the classic match with lamb, there's a better wine for this particular dish: a refined Bordeaux-style Zinfandel. A …
What is the difference between Zinfandel and Zin?
· A fruity and medium-bodied Zinfandel pairs best with rich and robust foods like grilled Hamburgers, BBQ Ribs, Chinese Takeout, Liver and Onions, Baked Beans, Roasted Lamb and Pulled Pork. Zinfandel is a rich red wine with flavours of raspberry, blackberry, plum, smoke, spice, and black pepper.
Can you pair zinfandel with lamb?
Like most grilled meats, lamb burgers will pair best with red wines that have some oak ageing to bring out the smoky flavors. Pair lamb burgers with Syrah or a juicy Zinfandel.
What wine goes best with lamb?
Wine Pairings for Lamb Chops Pinot noir, Bordeaux blends, and the Italian reds mentioned earlier all pair well with lamb chops, but you can also venture into medium- and full-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot if that suits your tastes.
What meat goes with Zinfandel?
Zinfandel wine is happiest when paired with anything from the meat aisle, from barbeque pork ribs, leg of lamb or a big, hearty meal.
What do you drink lamb with?
The absolute best pairings for lamb are found in red wines, including a rich cabernet sauvignon, a classic Bordeaux, and Chianti. White wine lovers are not shut out here, though. A good gewürztraminer or even a California chardonnay will make a fine addition to the meal as well.
What wine goes with slow cooked lamb?
Slow Cooked Lamb and Shanks Cool climate Aussie Shiraz or French Rhônes, as well as more serious Grenache and Cabernet are an ideal match for this style of lamb.
What goes well with lamb chops?
25 Best Sides for Lamb ChopsScalloped Potatoes. The versatility of potatoes never seems to disappoint. ... Lemon Garlic Roasted Asparagus. ... Roasted Brussels Sprouts. ... Glazed Carrots. ... Lemon Dill Rice. ... Grilled Asparagus Salad with Lemon & Feta. ... Green Bean Casserole. ... Cucumber Radish Salad.More items...•
What does Zinfandel pair with?
The best food pairings for ZinfandelBarbecue, especially American barbecue. ... Turkey, especially Thanksgiving turkey. ... Braises and stews. ... Meaty pasta sauces and pasta bakes. ... Meat-topped pizzas. ... Baked, roast or stuffed aubergine/eggplant. ... Portobello mushrooms. ... Black beans.More items...•
What food does Zinfandel?
Typically high in both alcohol and flavor—boysenberries with a touch of brambly spiciness—Zinfandel is the perfect cookout wine, great with grilled burgers, sausages or chicken, or even chips and dip.
What does white zinfandel pair well with?
A dry White Zinfandel will still taste delicious with all of those things, but it's especially delectable when paired with: Fresh or roasted vegetables. Fish. Salads....A sweeter White Zinfandel wine will pair well with:Smoked meats.Soft cheeses.Pasta dishes (especially with cream sauces)Finger foods.
What alcohol goes with lamb roast?
If you prefer a red, the fruity Meiomi Pinot Noir will be right up your ally. A pale ale complements the richness of lamb without overpowering the dish. Try pairing a local craft pale ale to elevate the pairing.
Is Merlot good with lamb?
When served alone and without any sauce to go with it, lamb can pair really well with a bold red wine with a smooth tannic structure, such as Syrah or Merlot. But because lamb meat in particular tends to take on the taste of the sauce it's cooked with, we need to go deeper than that if the meat is marinated.
What wine goes with Greek lamb?
Try various Languedoc reds, Syrah, or juicy, young Tempranillo-based reds. Greek and Turkish lamb dishes might involve more lemon and herbs, so use a red with more acidity, such as Chianti.
What kind of red wine goes with leg of lamb?
WINES TO GO WITH LAMB Bordeaux reds are a safe bet for lamb, particularly a rump or rack of lamb, whereas the bolder style of Malbec or Rioja suits a braised or slow-cooked shoulder.
What white wine goes with lamb?
White wines like Riesling and pinot grigio will go well with lamb, but unless you're serving a lamb curry such as rogan josh, stay away from these tart wines. Instead, choose a wine with more complexity, such as an oaked Chardonnay.
Is Pinot Noir good with lamb?
Pinot Noir and lamb are often a perfect match because the acidity and bright fruit notes in Pinot Noir act as a nice foil for the earthy richness in lamb.
Is Merlot good with lamb?
When served alone and without any sauce to go with it, lamb can pair really well with a bold red wine with a smooth tannic structure, such as Syrah or Merlot. But because lamb meat in particular tends to take on the taste of the sauce it's cooked with, we need to go deeper than that if the meat is marinated.
BBQ Ribs & Zinfandel Pairing
Zinfandel’s sweetness from its fruity flavours makes the red wine exceptional with Barbecue Ribs . The fruity flavours of blackberry, cherry and raspberry brings out the sweet and savoury spice tones in the barbecue sauce. Meanwhile, the smoke, spice, and black pepper complement the BBQ sauce’s spiciness.
Grilled Hamburgers & Zinfandel Pairing
A meaty hamburger and Zinfandel makes for the perfect pair as both the wine and the burger make each other taste better. The smoky and black pepper flavours of Zinfandel mingle perfectly with the savoury flavours of your grilled hamburger, enhancing the flavours of the burger and the fruitiness of the wine.
Chinese Food Takeout & Zinfandel Pairing
While Zinfandel is dry, the fruitiness of the wine makes it taste slightly sweet, making it perfect with foods that are slightly sweet such as Chinese Food Takeout. Often we smother our chicken balls and egg-rolls in plum sauce or sweet and sour sauce, and the sweetness of Zinfandel complements the nature of this sweetness.
Pulled Pork Tacos & Zinfandel Pairing
Pulled Pork is shredded meat pulled off a barbecued pork shoulder, which is then mixed with barbecue sauce. The fruity sweetness of Zinfandel, along with its hints of smoke and spice, complement the barbecue sauce of the pulled pork.
Liver and Onions & Zinfandel Pairing
Liver and Onions is a sweeter dish and Zinfandel’s jammy flavours of blackberry, blueberry and plum complement the sweetness of the dish. Meanwhile, the fruitiness also helps mask the mineral and iron flavours of the liver that not everyone finds pleasant. Select a medium-bodied Zinfandel if you want to taste some of the Liver’s minerality.
Elements to Consider for Lamb Wine Pairing
Lamb can be characterized by being halfway between beef and game meat. It has a tender texture and full of iron, vitamins, and healthy omega-3 fatty acids. When pairing wine with lamb, consider that lamb meat has a high fat component.
Red or White Wine with Lamb?
The best wine matches with lamb tend to be with red wine, however, a white wine with some guts and high acidity will also pair with lamb. There are options for red and white wine with lamb below. Keep reading!
Classic Wine Pairings with Lamb
Sometimes the best wine with lamb is the traditional pairing. These are the classic wine pairings with lamb that are a safe bet. You can’t screw this up!
Lamb Wine Pairing by Cut and Preparation
A foolproof pairing with lamb is Syrah because it’s full-bodied and has high acidity to match the weight and cut through the fat of lamb. Syrah also pairs great with anything with herbs and spices which lamb always has. That’s why you’ll see quite a bit of lamb wine pairings with Syrah regardless of the preparation.
LIGHT-BODIED
Light, young Zinfandels offer fresh, fruity flavors and an approachable, easy-drinking style. Lighter Zins are typically produced with less mature grapes and little barrel aging. This style of Zin is especially enjoyable with light cheeses, roast turkey, tomato-based sauces, and Asian or Latin cuisine.
MEDIUM-BODIED
The medium-bodied Zinfandel offers more fruit flavors and tannins than the light Zin. The aging and fermentation process increases the fruity character, balance, and complexity of the wine. The medium-bodied Zin reveals the spicy nature of the varietal and offers a longer finish.
FULL-BODIED
Rich and dense with intense fruit flavors and ample tannins, the full-bodied Zinfandel is typically produced from vineyards with very old vines and often with very ripe or slightly overripe grapes.
MEATS
Zinfandel wine is happiest when paired with anything from the meat aisle, from barbeque pork ribs, leg of lamb or a big, hearty meal.
POULTRY
A lighter Zinfandel wine is a wonderful red wine food pairing choice for poultry and game fowl, especially when served with a heavier sauce.
PASTA
A bigger Zinfandel wine pairs best with tomato-based dishes while lighter Zinfandels make an excellent wine pairing for creamy pastas.
SEAFOOD & FISH
Try pairing Zinfandel with seafood stews and soups, as well as seared or grilled fish.
Pairing Wine with Lamb
Unlike some meats, when pairing wine with lamb there isn’t a universal rule to follow. Generally, robust red wines go well with lamb's lightly gamey taste, but in some cases these may overpower the meat and ruin your meal. The best wine and lamb pairings depend on the lamb's cut and how you're cooking it.
Wine Pairings for Young or Spring Lamb
Young lamb and spring lamb are often served pink and have a lighter flavor. Because of this, they require a lighter wine. Full-bodied red wines tend to mask the more delicate taste of these lean meats, so skip the merlots and cabernets for this meal.
Wine Pairings for Roast Lamb
Lamb dishes that are roasted, such as rack of lamb, leg of lamb, or lamb cutlets, pair well with a wide variety of red wines. Pinot noir is an excellent choice, especially if your lamb will be served on the medium-rare side. You can also venture into bolder wines.
Wine Pairings for Lamb Chops
Lamb chops are a rustic dish with an earthy flavor, frequently served alongside cooked carrots, potatoes, and other root vegetables. Often they're accompanied by mushroom gravy or a balsamic reduction. The hearty flavors in this dish cause it to pair well with wines that also work with dishes such as lamb ragout and shepherd's pie.
Wine Pairings for Grilled or Barbecued Lamb
Lamb that has been grilled or barbecued, either as kebabs or another form, has a smoky flavor that needs to be balanced out. Barbecued lamb may still be paired with pinot noir or a blended red, but Syrahs can give it an extra punch.
Can I Pair White Wine with Lamb?
The tried-and-true tradition is to pair red meat with red wine, as many white wines are not intense enough to complement the rich flavor of lamb. Pairing wine with meals is for your personal enjoyment, however, so if you prefer white wine to red, go ahead and have them together!
Further Wine Pairing Help
If you want to pair wine with a lamb dish not mentioned here, think about what herbs, spices, and other ingredients the dish contains. From there, choose a wine that complements those flavors. When in doubt, you can always go with a pinot noir or blended red.
Agiorgitiko & Lamb Gyro Pairing
If you want to stick to a true Greek experience, Agiorgitiko is the way to go. Agiorgitiko is a Greek red wine notable for its floral, blackberry, cherry pit, herb, smoke, and red plum aromas.
Lagrein & Lamb Gyro Pairing
Lagrein is a fleshy red wine from Italy with moderate tannin and zesty acidity. Expect inviting flavours of blackberry, raspberry and plum that make the wine pop and go great with those gamey lamb flavours. Lagrein has a strong balsamic presence which helps it pair with the slightly sour tzatziki sauce.
Zinfandel & Lamb Gyro Pairing
Out of all the wines listed here, Zinfandel is the most easily available red wine to purchase. A medium-bodied Zinfandel is going to be fruit-forward with plush flavours of blackberries, black cherries, plum and raspberries. This fruitiness helps mask the gaminess of the Lamb and keeping your palate refreshed in between bites.
Retsina & Lamb Gyro Pairing
If your Lamb is heavy on the Tzatziki sauce, a red wine won’t cut it, and white wine becomes a better choice. Unfortunately, white wine won’t complement the Lamb meat, however, if you have the Lamb Gyro more as a salad (where there are more veggies than meat), a Greek wine like Retsina works out quite nicely.
Rosé & Lamb Gyro Pairing
When pairing a dry and tart Rosé with a Lamb Gyro, you’re taking the safe route of choosing a wine that will somewhat go with the Lamb and somewhat with the Tzatziki sauce. While Rosé will be delicious with a Lamb Gyro, this is not an outstanding pairing, as the wine will not enhance the Gyro, nor will the Lamb Gyro make the wine taste any better.