Wine and lamb: my 5 favourite pairings

It’s tough to say what the best wine matches for lamb are - it’s served so many different ways and there are so many wines (mainly red) that work but here are my five favourites.

Bear in mind lamb is a slightly fattier, gamier meat than beef and carries spicing well - you’ll find lamb dishes all over north Africa, the eastern Mediterranean and India. But it can also be quite delicate and sweet - when served rare for example.

Here are the five I most commonly reach for:

PINOT NOIR

The wine to go with more delicate lamb dishes such as rack of lamb served with spring vegetables, lamb noisettes or a spring lamb stew (See this report from the International Pinot Noir Convention a couple of years ago to see how ‘new world’ pinots performed against classic red burgundy)

RIOJA

Go to the Rioja region of Spain and you’ll invariably be offered a mountain of lamb cutlets cooked over smouldering vine cuttings - one of the most delicious examples of vineyard cuisine you’ll find anywhere. And a red Rioja reserva is the ideal partner.

CHIANTI

If you’re serving your lamb Italian-style with garlic and rosemary reach for a bottle of Chianti Classico. Its fresh acidity offsets lamb’s slight fattiness perfectly - one of those matches which makes both the wine and food sing.

RED BORDEAUX AND SIMILAR BORDEAUX BLENDS

Another part of the world where lamb is a favourite, particularly in the Médoc. Again likely to be served simply with garlic. A red Bordeaux or similar blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot will offset it beautifully. (Also good with classic British dishes such as Lancashire hotpot and shepherd’s pie!)

SOUTHERN FRENCH REDS AND OTHER GRENACHE/SYRAH/MOURVEDRE BLENDS

Wines from the Rhône and Languedoc-Roussillon are good for more robust lamb dishes such as braised lamb shanks, Moroccan tagines or other spicy stews and casseroles - even milder lamb curries.

For a longer list of options read Top Wine Pairings for Lamb

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What’s the best wine to pair with lemon tart (aka tarte au citron)?

The classic tarte au citron is tricky with wine, particularly if it’s home made. And the sharper and more lemony (and delicious) it is, the harder it is to find a good match.

Basically what they tend to do is wipe the citrus flavours - and the sweetness - out of any accompanying dessert wine leaving them tasting thin and sharp. The only really successful match I’ve found is a sweet wine that has a lot of acidity like a German beerenauslese Riesling or other very sweet late harvest Riesling served really cold. (Trockenbeerenauslese and Eiswein or icewine could also work for you but I find they bump up the sweetness too much.

I also had success with a beerenauslese Chardonnay from Austria which was a bit of a surprise. Sweet chardonnay wouldn’t have occurred to me if I hadn’t tried it.

There is a trick you could pull. Serve the tart with a good dollop of cream (what a hardship!) and you’ll find it will kick other wines into touch. Late Harvest Sauvignons or Sauvignon/Semillon blends from the Australian Riverlands or Chile would be my preferred option.

They also go well with shop-bought lemon tarts and the slightly less intensely lemony lemon meringue pie.

Picture by Pixel-Shot at shutterstock.com

6 of the best drinks to pair with tacos

Tacos are the ultimate crowd-pleaser—easy to love, endlessly adaptable, and downright delicious. But when it comes to finding the perfect drink to go with your favourite taco, things can get a bit trickier. Should you reach for a cold beer with tacos? If so, should it be a lager, a pale ale or something else? Do margaritas work with tacos, or they better left as a pre-taco tipple? Can wine work with tacos? If so, red or white? 

In this post, I’ll diving into the best pairings for popular types of tacos, including fresh fish tacos, rich carnitas and everything in between. Whether you’re hosting a taco party or just looking to upgrade your weeknight meal, discover which drinks will take your taco game to the next level. 

The 6 best drinks to pair with tacos (bearing in mind you’re likely to have more than one kind)

Beer

Lager would be the usual go-to but the London-based taqueria Breddos has its own full-flavoured 5.4% version, Zirkus from Magic Rock, which they describe as a ‘tropical lager’. Absolutely delicious and perfect with the food.

Margaritas

You can’t beat the classic kind in my book. Spot on!

Mezcal

Hand in hand with the taco boom there has been an accompanying growth in the popularity of mezcal the more artisanal form of tequila. Most taquerias have extensive lists, either as shots or in cocktails.

Aguas frescas

I drank a tepache at El Pastor which is described as ‘lightly fermented pineapple juice with spices. Refreshing and not too sweet. Not necessarily alcohol-free but very low. Here’s how to make it at home.

Sauvignon Blanc

Generally chimes in well with the citrussy vibe of Mexican food

Dry rosé

Better than a red IMHO. Breddos stocks the Domaine des Triennes rosé from Provence which I really like.

Drink Pairings for 5 Popular Types of Tacos

Image credit: Roman Odinstov

Tacos al Pastor - Margarita or Mexican Lager

This popular taco variety features thinly sliced pork that has been marinated in a blend of spices, chilies, and pineapple, then cooked on a vertical rotisserie. It’s typically served on small corn tortillas with onions, cilantro, and a slice of pineapple. A classic Margarita or a cold Mexican lager can be a great pairing. The acidity and citrus notes of a Margarita cut through the fat and complement the sweetness of the pineapple, while a lager offers a refreshing contrast to the spiciness.

Carne Asada Tacos - Malbec or Negra Modelo

These tacos are made with grilled, marinated beef, usually skirt or flank steak, chopped into small pieces. They are often garnished with onions, cilantro, and salsa, served on corn tortillas. A robust red wine like Malbec or a Zinfandel can pair well with the rich flavors of carne asada. If you prefer beer, a dark Mexican beer like a Negra Modelo can complement the smoky and savory beef.

Tacos de Pescado (Fish Tacos) - Sauvignon Blanc or Wheat Beer

Originating from Baja California in Mexico, fish tacos consist of grilled or battered and fried fish (like cod or tilapia) placed on a corn tortilla and topped with a variety of garnishes such as cabbage, crema (a Mexican-style sour cream), and fresh salsa. A light and zesty white wine like Sauvignon Blanc or a Pinot Grigio pairs well with fish tacos, enhancing the lightness of the fish and the tanginess of the toppings. A wheat beer or a light pale ale can also be a refreshing choice.

Tacos de Carnitas - Amber Ale or Mezcal

Carnitas tacos are made with pork that is braised or simmered in oil or lard until tender and then shredded or chopped. The meat is then often crisped up before being served in tortillas with various toppings. An amber ale or a German-style Märzen beer pairs nicely with the richness of carnitas, balancing the pork’s fattiness with their malty sweetness. A smoky Mezcal or an Añejo Tequila can also complement the richness of the meat.

Tacos de Barbacoa - Syrah or Stout

Barbacoa is a traditional Mexican cooking method where lamb, goat, or beef is slow-cooked until incredibly tender, typically with seasonings, and then shredded. The meat is then served on tortillas with onions, cilantro, and salsa. For barbacoa tacos, consider a full-bodied red wine like Syrah or a Tempranillo, which can stand up to the bold flavors of the meat. A dark, roasty stout or porter can also match the meat’s richness and smokiness.

See also: Wine, beer and other pairings for Mexican food

Top image credit: Jeswin Thomas 

10 different drinks to pair with smoked salmon

Smoked salmon is most commonly associated with champagne but in fact it goes with many other wines as well as with beer, whisky and vodka.

I tend to go for lighter, crisper whites and beers with lighter smokes and sherry and spirits with stronger ones.

Sancerre, Pouilly-Fumé and other Loire Sauvignons
The ultra-dry minerally Sauvignons of the Loire with their delicate gooseberry fruit are perfect for simply served smoked salmon. Other top new world Sauvignons will work too so long as they’re not too ‘herbaceous’ as the green bean/asparagussy notes of some Sauvignons are sometimes described.

Chablis
Especially young, unoaked Chablis which has the freshness and clean, crisp acidity to counteract the slight oiliness of smoked salmon. Richer Chardonnays go well with hot smoked salmon.

Dry Riesling
Dry being a relative description when it comes to Riesling. Young German Kabinett Rieslings with their vivid green apple flavours work especially well, but young Alsace and Australian Rieslings are also good. Avoid medium dry and sweeter Rieslings though.

Gewurztraminer
I’m not a big fan of Gewurz and smoked salmon myself but many people swear by it. Again, Alsace would be the obvious source.

Manzanilla and very dry fino sherry e.g. Tio Pepe
If you like dry sherry this is one of the best matches. The tangy salty taste of dry sherry is perfect with smoked fish. Serve it freshly opened and well chilled.

German or Czech Pilsner
Another excellent match, the freshness and slight bitterness of a pils is just what you need with smoked salmon. (Think smorgasbord . . . )

Weissbier/Witbier/Wheat beer
‘White’ beers go with most kinds of seafood, smoked fish not excepted. The slightly spicy coriander flavours are great with smoked salmon.

Malt whisky
Maybe not the ideal party tipple but an outstanding match for an impromptu smoked salmon snack. Choose a lighter, more fragrant malt with delicately smoked salmon (Springbank is my all-time favourite), a peatier ‘island’ malt if you’re dealing with a stronger smoke.

Aquavit
In particular the glorious Aalborg Jubilaeums Akvavit from Denmark, flavoured with dill and coriander, the best match bar none for gravadlax

Vodka
Good, well chilled Polish vodka works a treat.

You may also find this post 20 Christmas wine pairings to learn by heart useful.