Wine and sheep: here is a food and wine pairing that should not leave you insensitive during this summer period. Mutton is often cooked in a variety of recipes, sometimes with beautiful sauces. As a result, making a successful food and wine pairing with sheep is not necessarily easy. To assist you, the teams at Château Cantenac Brown offer some sound advice.
Wine and sheeo: the classic pairing
Choosing the right wine with mutton can be a perilous exercise. However, the firm flesh of this meat and its pronounced and persistent taste require a wine with firm tannins and a good presence in the mouth. For this, you can turn to a wine from Margaux or the great Médoc wines as a rule. Be sure to choose a relatively young wine, i.e. less than 20 years old. Indeed, this one will preserve a beautiful tannic presence which will deliciously pair with this meat. A wine from the Grand Cru Classé of 1855, and in particular the Château Cantenac Brown, will be perfectly suited. The blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc provides a generous wine that will go well with the mutton.
Alternatively, you can also turn to wines from the Rhone Valley. Made from a blend of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre, these spicy wines will prove to be a perfect match with the mutton. For this, you can choose a wine from Cornas, Côte Rotie, or Gigondas.
Wine and sheep leg
The leg of lamb, like the shoulder, is a choice piece. For this one, it is necessary to reserve an exceptional wine. For this, you can turn to a great vintage of Bordeaux. A wine from Margaux will be just the thing to accompany your dish. Of course, you can also choose the great wine of Château Cantenac Brown. In addition, the great wines of the Medoc will be essential to accompany your dish.
On the other hand, you can make choices outside the Bordeaux region. Indeed, you can go to Burgundy with wines from Grevrey-Chambertin, Vosne-Romanée, or Pommard. These wines are distinguished by the finesse of the pinot noir and will prove formidable with mutton. In the same way, be sure to choose wines that are still in their youth to allow them to express themselves perfectly with this powerful meat.
Finally, you can choose wines from the southwest. Wines from Fronton or Gaillac can be perfectly matched with mutton. Indeed, the Négrette, a characteristic grape variety of Fronton, produces wines that are both spicy and silky and that will be the source of balance in your meal.
Wine and grilled mutton chops
Grilled mutton awakens particular flavors that usually rhyme with summer and meals of great conviviality. Grilled mutton is no exception to the traditional pairings mentioned above. The choice of a great Bordeaux wine is the perfect accompaniment to this meal.
In addition, you can choose wines from the Rhone Valley or the South West. The latter, full-bodied and spicy, have a place on your table when you enjoy this delicious meal.
Leg of lamb marinated in red wine
Finally, it should be noted that the leg of lamb can be cooked marinated in red wine. For this, you can cook your meat in a marinade of red wine, vinegar, cognac, thyme, bay leaves and onions. This marinade will allow you to obtain a particularly fine and tender meat. It will melt in the mouth and should delight the taste buds of your guests. Of course, you don’t need a great wine to make this recipe. On the other hand, it can perfectly accompany your dish.
You now know everything about wine and mutton pairing: we wish you a wonderful tasting. In addition, you can discover the other food and wine pairings that we suggest such as wine and fish or wine and prime rib.