Which Wines Pair Best With Minted Lamb Shank?

When I got my first restaurant job back in 2005, I couldn't help but salivate when I brought lamb shank to people's tables. It looked and smelled delicious. Since then, it's always been a favourite of mine and I recently joined my friend Marco at his restaurant 'Piccolo' in Gatley, Manchester. As soon as I saw the lamb shank on the menu, I knew I was having that. Minted lamb shank is one of those dishes that feels both rustic and regal — slow‑braised, deeply savoury, and lifted by that bright, herbal snap of mint. It’s a flavour profile that calls for a red wine with enough structure to stand up to the richness, but also enough aromatic lift to dance with the mint rather than fight it. The same applies for other herbs, like rosemary.

Below are some of the most reliable and expressive pairings I have come across

1. Northern Rhône Syrah – A Natural Match for Mint

Syrah from the Northern Rhône (think Crozes‑Hermitage, Saint‑Joseph, Côte‑Rôtie) brings pepper, violets, smoked meat and dark berries — flavours that echo the savoury depth of lamb shank beautifully. The herbal edge in Syrah complements mint without overwhelming it, making this one of the most seamless pairings. Our recommendations: Domaine des Amphores les 7 Lieux Saint-Joseph Alternative recommendation: Passi Neri Syrah. Not from the Rhone, but from Sicily. It offers the same depth and body as Rhone Syrah but for a fraction of the price.

2. Southern Rhone Blends – Bold, Spicy, and Generous

A classic pairing for lamb shank, Appellations like Châteauneuf‑du‑Pape, Vacqueyras and Cairanne offer layers of herbs, black pepper, liquorice, and dark fruit, all of which resonate with the gamey richness of slow‑braised lamb. Its natural warmth and generosity make it ideal when the dish includes aromatic herbs like mint, rosemary, or cinnamon.

Our Recommendation: Maison Brotte Bouvencourt Vacqueyras

3. Rioja Reserva – Elegance Meets Intensity

Long‑aged Rioja brings savoury spice, dried fruit, cedar and silky tannins. It’s refined enough not to overpower the mint, yet structured enough to handle the gelatin‑rich texture of braised shank. A superb choice if you want something classic but not too heavy. Our Recommendation: Rioja Vega Reserva Alternative Recommendation: OXTE The Silence Red Blend. Similar in style, but a lot friendlier on the wallet.

4. Barolo or Barbaresco – For a More Elevated, Perfumed Pairing

Nebbiolo’s rose, tar, and red‑cherry profile offers a more lifted, aromatic pairing. The tannins cut through the richness of the lamb, while the wine’s natural floral notes play surprisingly well with mint. I prefer it with rosemary if I'm honest. Our recommendation: Rossello Barolo Alternative recommendation: Rossello Nebbiolo d'Alba. Very similar, but a bit more youthful and fruit forward.

5. Carménère – A Herbaceous Echo

If you want the wine to mirror the mint directly, Carménère is a clever choice. Its green‑pepper and herbal notes can amplify the freshness of the dish while still delivering enough dark fruit and body to stand up to the shank.

Our Recommendation: Ventisquero Reserva Carmenere

That's our list! Hope you enjoy it and let us know your thoughts on our pairings!