The purpose of this article is to provide you the reader with great red wine pairing tips for lamb. In our next article we will discuss white wine pairing tips.
In this article we are going to discuss specific pairing recommendations but first I want to give you a simple rule of thumb that always works with lamb. Here it is Syrah. Pick your favorite Syrah and serve it with any lamb dish and it will be a hit. Why? Lamb is a very rich, robust and earthy meat. Syrah is the lamb of wines. It is very earthy and complicated. Lamb is an acquired taste it is not for the unrefined palette. Pairing lamb with Syrah is always a perfect pairing in my not so humble opinion.
The remainder of the article will be concerned with specific pairing ideas that will make your next celebration perfect.
Let's start with Pinot Noir. This wine is known for being earthy supple and silky. It has beautiful dried cherry aromas and flavors. This wine is best served with a crown roast of lamb or a French Rack of Lamb.
Next let's talk about Zinfandel and I do not mean its more popular friend White Zinfandel. Zinfandel is a red grape. White Zinfandel comes from the same grape but the skin is removed. This grape is known for its bold fruitiness and thick texture. The fruitiness of this wine can act as a cushion for spiced dishes. The recommended dish to serve with this wine is a cumin-spiced lamb shank.
Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon are both powerful reds that can be grouped together. The healthy dose of tannins found in these wines give the wine structure and grip. Bordeaux reds, which are blends of Merlot and Cabernet, go great with simple roasted leg of lamb seasoned with rosemary. You also can not go wrong with your favorite Merlot and a shoulder steak.
We will conclude where we started. Syrah is called a "masculine" wine with deep dark flavors and a brooding intensity. French Syrah is gripping and untamed. Australian Syrah is much softer with a fruitier and almost syrupy taste. Don't overlook the domestics. The Columbia Valley has great Syrah from a plethora of small to middle size wineries. Pair your favorite Syrah with a fennel crusted rack of lamb or a grilled loin chop.
That concludes my rules of red wine recommendations. To get specific lamb recipes and to find the best All-Natural American Lamb go to www.allnaturallamb.com. It is my sincere hope that this will make your next celebration wonderful.
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