What wine would you serve with a lamb roast?

[Anonymous]

Making this recipe
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/herb-roasted-lamb-recipe/index.html

not for company--just for our family tonight.

I have a bottle of Rioja on hand, but that's it (I'm not a huge wine collector, generally I just buy a bottle of my favorite red once or twice a week).

Would the Rioja go ok? Or do you have a better suggestion (specific name or even just general type)? I can only afford up to $20/bottle. Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Rioja will be fine. A temperanillo would be good as well as a Sangiovese (Italian grape) blend.
You can get some nice ones for $15. We drink $11-12 bottles. Ask your local wine store of course.

[Anonymous]

Agree that Rioja would work well. Would also recommend a Nebbiolo- Rocca Felice and Mauro Sebaste should both be under $20.

[Anonymous]

My first choice would be a Shiraz, but a Rioja will go really well with it, too.

[Anonymous]

Thanks! I am enjoying my first glass of Rioja while the lamb is in the oven.

If this recipe turns out well, I'll try some of the recommendations the next time I make it!

Thanks again!

[Anonymous]

Op here with an update:


Recipe was a huge hit with my family (me, Dh, and 4 teen/preteen kids)

I had a 4 lb lamb roast and cooked it on 425 for 1.5 hours (I think the recipe calls for a 6lb at 450).

I will definitely make this again and use some of the above wine pairing suggestions! Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Glad it worked well.

The classic wine for lamb is syrah. (Shiraz, if you're Aussie.) If you're French, that means a wine from the Rhone valley. The pure syrahs are from the northern Rhone: Hermitage, St. Joseph, Cote Rotie, Cornas. The ones that are blended with grenache, mourvedre, and other grapes (which are going to be much more accessible, and other than Chateauneuf more affordable) are Cote du Rhones, Vacqueyras, Gigondas, and Chateauneuf du Pape.

But I love Rioja, and I'm sure that was great too. Tempranillo (the main grape in Rioja) is very versatile and goes with most anything.

[Anonymous]

Just saw the budget limitation. Would recommend a Cotes du Rhone by E. Guigal or M. Chapoutier. They should be between $14 and $17.