How to Pair Roasted Lamb Shank?

Lamb is heart and meaty; it’s one of the most flavorful meats out there, and it’s immensely satisfying, especially when braised or roasted. And although lamb’s whole racks, ribs and chops are delicious, the king of lamb cuts is the lamb shank.

The lamb shank comes from the lamb’s leg, and since this is a hard-working muscle, it’s tough. Once tenderized, you get the juiciest and most flavorful piece of meat. How to pair roasted lamb shank with wine? Here’s what you need to know.

Before we get started, let us invite you to go on our Yarra Valley Private Tours and romantic getaways to Yarra Valley. Our Private Yarra Valley wine tours are a terrific way to source wine from the wineries’ cellar doors, which offer wine deliciously compatible with red meat and lamb.

From visiting Domaine Chandon Yarra Valley, accommodation included, to many other options for romantic accommodation in Yarra Valley, we’re here to help.

What Does Lamb Taste Like?

Lamb is the meat of sheep. This is one of the most intensely flavorful red meats out there, and it’s rich and fatty as well.

When it comes to lamb, lamb shanks are always amongst the most prized cuts, and it’s because both the foreshank and the hind shank are tough muscles that work really hard. This makes the muscles firm and lean, with a lovely fat layer, which means cooks must cook shank low and slow. The result is fork-tender meat with that unique lamb taste and lovely rendered fat.

Much more flavorful than beef but not as gamey as goat meat, lamb is intuitively appealing, especially for foodies and meat lovers. The question is, what’s the right wine for lamb? Here’s what you need to know.

The Best Wine for Lamb

Lamb is red meat, and it’s packed with proteins and fat. This tells us the right wine pairing should be equally bold, which means going for red wine. Big and bold red wine made with Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz of the combination of the two is the best match for lamb. These wines have noticeable tannins to bind with lamb’s protein and fatty molecules, making your dining experience much more enjoyable.

This is a complementary pairing, where we’re matching big, flavorful food with equally intense wine. Still, this is not the only way to pair lamb with wine — you can also contrast the meat’s intensity with a refreshing palate-cleanser.

For a good contrasting pairing, nothing beats sparkling wine. Enjoy a fizzy sip after every meaty bite! Visit Domaine Chandon Yarra Valley, accommodation included, and stock your cellar with a few bottles of fizz. The next time you braise a lamb shank, try the lesser-known pairing; you’ll love it!

Stock Up on Wine and Braise some Lamb!

The right food and wine pairing can really turn any meal into a party, so make sure your cellar is well stocked! Let us take you on our Yarra Valley private winery tours or romantic getaways to Yarra Valley and treat yourself to the best producers in the area. Wine and food are meant to be enjoyed together, don’t you agree?