The Best Red Wine Pairing For A Rack Of Lamb

You're planning a nice dinner for a crowd, and you've settled on a showstopping rack of lamb as your entree. You've done your research, so you know all the tricks, like the best part of the oven to roast it in, and even how to carve it to make sure all your guests get as much as they want. Now all that's left is to choose the perfect wine to serve alongside your lamb masterpiece. Wassam Baki, Executive Chef at AMAL, says red is the way to go. "The goal of the red wine is to complement the rich, savory flavors of the meat while balancing its robust taste," he says.

Of course, making the perfect pairing is pointless if the wine isn't one that you love, so if you have a favorite red, feel free to stick to that. But if you're open to ideas, Baki has a few suggestions. "A classic choice of Bordeaux, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, or Rioja are the best red wine with enough structure and complexity to stand up to the lamb's intensity," he says. These reds often top the list of popular red wine varieties, and their medium-to-high alcohol levels and tannins make them the perfect complement to cut through the rich, fatty flavor of lamb.

Bold red wines like Bordeaux and Cabernet Sauvignon are a classic pairing for rich, flavorful red meat dishes like lamb and beef, and plenty of other reds can hold their own alongside a rack of lamb. But if you'd like to trod a little further off the beaten path, sipping a dry rosé alongside your lamb might whet your appetite. Stay away from the sweeter rosés, as they can clash with lamb's earthier flavors, and if you're not sure which to choose, ask your wine guy to point you toward the ones with more tannins, which release more flavor from the protein and fat in the lamb.

And remember, wine pairing is about more than just following the rules — it's about experimenting with how different flavors play together. There are no pairing police waiting outside your door to take you away if you make the wrong choice, so don't be afraid to get creative.