If your Lamb Gyro isn’t drowning in Tzatziki sauce, inexpensive and fruit-forward red wines, such as Zinfandel, Agiorgitiko, Lambrusco, Côtes du Rhône and Lagrein pair up best. Red wines with acidity are a must if your Lamb Gyro contains tomatoes, as tannic wines will clash with the acidity in the tomatoes.
If Tzatziki sauce is involved, the yogurt used in it throws a monkey wrench into the pairing. For Greek Lamb Gyro’s with Tzatziki sauce, pair the Gyro with a Sauvignon Blanc, Rosé, or Greek Retsina. Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc and Beaujolais will also get along with a Lamb Gyro loaded with Tzatziki sauce.
What does Lamb Gyro Taste Like?
A Lamb Gyro is a pita stuffed with shavings of Lamb meat that has been seasoned with a mixture of salt, pepper, sweet paprika and Greek oregano. The Lamb is cooked in a Rotisserie, which keeps the meat tender and moist. Tomato and onion are also added to the pita, along with Tzatziki sauce which is essentially a yogurt sauce containing cucumber, garlic, dill and other herbs. The whole shebang is often served with a basket of French fries on the side.
Typically, a Lamb Gyro is 95% Lamb and 5% Tomato and Onions, however, you’ll find many variations where the dish is treated like a customized sub (where you can add additional veggies) or as a salad. Gyro’s aren’t just made with Lamb, and you’ll often see Beef, Chicken or Pork Gyro’s available for takeout.
Best Wine with Lamb Gyro
Type
Varietal
Food
Why This Pairing Works
Rating (out of 5)
Red Wine
Agiorgitiko
Lamb Gyro
Agiorgitiko is a Greek red wine is medium-bodied with smooth tannins and vibrant acidity, offering rich notes of cherry, plum, and subtle herbs. Its fruitiness dances across the savoury, spiced lamb, while the acidity cuts through the meat's richness. Additionally, the herbal notes in Agiorgitiko resonate beautifully with the gyro's seasonings.
Red Wine
Cariñena
Lamb Gyro
Cariñena, a red wine from Spain, is known for its robust character, featuring dark fruit flavours like blackberry and plum, along with hints of spice and earthiness. The wine’s rich fruitiness sing alongside the spiced lamb in the gyro, while its acidity helps balance the meat's richness and the creaminess of the tzatziki sauce. The earthy undertones in Cariñena also echo the herbs and spices used in the lamb seasoning.
Nero d'Avola is a Sicilian red wine known for its full body, velvety tannins, and bold fruit notes of dark cherry, plum, and hints of spice. The wine's fruitiness enhances the savoury, spiced lamb, while its acidity cuts through the richness of the meat and the creaminess of the tzatziki sauce. Additionally, the earthy undertones of Nero d'Avola resonate beautifully with the herbs and seasonings in the gyro.
Red Wine
Negroamaro
Lamb Gyro
Negroamaro is a southern Italian red wine is known for its rich, dark fruit characteristics, with notes of blackberry, plum, and a hint of spice. The wine’s full body and smooth tannins work well with the savoury, spiced lamb, while its acidity balances the richness of the meat and the creaminess of the tzatziki sauce. Additionally, the earthy and herbal undertones of Negroamaro align nicely with the seasonings in the gyro.
Red Wine
Ciro - Calabria (Red)
Lamb Gyro
Ciro from Calabria paired with lamb gyro offers a rich and robust combination that enhances the dish’s flavours. This red wine, made primarily from the Gaglioppo grape, is known for its bold character, featuring dark fruit notes like cherry and plum, along with earthy and spicy undertones. The wine's full body and smooth tannins work well with the savoury, spiced lamb, while its acidity balances the richness of the meat and the creaminess of the tzatziki sauce. Additionally, the wine's herbal and floral notes align beautifully with the seasonings in the gyro.
Red Wine
Lambrusco
Lamb Gyro
This sparkling red wine, known for its fruity and slightly effervescent character, features flavours of cherry, raspberry, and plum, with a touch of earthiness. The wine's lightness and refreshing acidity cut through the richness of the spiced lamb, while its fruity notes enhance the savoury flavours of the gyro.
Lamb gyro paired with Sauvignon Blanc offers a refreshing and vibrant combination that highlights the dish's flavours. The wine's bright acidity and citrus notes, often featuring lemon, lime, and green apple, provide a lively contrast to the rich, spiced lamb. This acidity helps to cut through the meat's fattiness and the creaminess of the tzatziki sauce. Additionally, Sauvignon Blanc's herbal and grassy undertones resonate well with the fresh ingredients in the gyro, such as cucumbers and herbs.
Rosé's bright acidity and refreshing fruit notes, often featuring strawberry, watermelon, and citrus, provide a lively contrast to the rich, spiced lamb. This acidity cuts through the richness of the meat and the creaminess of the tzatziki sauce. Additionally, the floral and herbal nuances in rosé complement the fresh ingredients in the gyro, such as cucumbers and herbs.
Lagrein is a northern Italian red wine is known for its deep colour, full body, and rich fruit notes, including black cherry and plum, along with hints of spice and earthiness. The wine's robust structure and smooth tannins dance well with the savoury, spiced lamb while its acidity helps balance the richness of the meat and the creaminess of the tzatziki sauce. Additionally, the earthy undertones in Lagrein resonate well with the herbs and spices used in the gyro.
Known for its ripe fruit characteristics, a medium-bodied Zinfandel often features notes of blackberry, raspberry, and subtle spice, which harmonize beautifully with the savoury, spiced lamb. The wine's medium body and moderate tannins allow it to stand up to the richness of the meat while its bright acidity helps to cut through the lamb's fattiness and the creaminess of the tzatziki sauce. Additionally, the spicy undertones in Zinfandel echo the herbs and seasonings used in the gyro.
Do not choose a full-bodied Zinfandel for this pairing. Expensive Zinfandels that have seen some oak aging, are expensive, and meant for much richer dishes, such as, lamb stew, or prime rib.
Rosé
Retsina
Lamb Gyro
Retsina Rosé is a Greek wine known for its light, fruity character, featuring notes of strawberry, watermelon, and a distinctive resinous quality that adds an intriguing twist. The bright acidity of the Retsina rosé cuts through the richness of the spiced lamb and the creaminess of the tzatziki sauce, while its fruity notes saddle up nicely beside the savoury elements of the gyro. Additionally, the herbal undertones resonate beautifully with the fresh ingredients.
Valpolicella Classico is an Italian red wine is known for its medium body, bright acidity, and vibrant fruit notes of cherry and plum, along with hints of herbs and spice. The wine's lively acidity cuts through the richness of the spiced lamb and the creaminess of the tzatziki sauce, while its fruity character offers a nice contrast against the savoury elements of the gyro.
I love how the pita soaks up all the lively red flavours of Valpolicella Classico. Especially when you get towards the bottom of the gyro, and all of the lamb is nearly gone.
Côtes du Rhône is a versatile red wine known for its medium body, fruity notes of red berries, and subtle spice, along with earthy undertones. The wine's bright acidity and moderate tannins unify with the spiced lamb, while its fruitiness enhances the overall richness of the gyro. Additionally, the herbal and peppery notes in Côtes du Rhône resonate well with the seasonings in the lamb
Cabernet Franc is a medium-bodied red wine is known for its bright acidity, herbal notes, and red fruit characteristics, such as raspberry and cherry, along with hints of green bell pepper and spice. The wine’s acidity helps cut through the richness of the spiced lamb, while its herbal undertones complement the fresh ingredients in the gyro, such as cucumbers and herbs.
Pinot Noir, known for its bright red fruit notes, such as cherry and raspberry, along with earthy undertones and a silky texture. The wine's acidity balances the richness of the spiced lamb, while its fruitiness enhances the savoury elements of the gyro. Additionally, the subtle herbal and floral notes in Pinot Noir resonate well with the seasonings used in the dish.
If you've been reading my blog for any length of time, you'll probably note that I recommend Beaujolais Villages for nearly every pairing. It's such a food-friendly red wine, that is low in alcohol, that I simply can not help myself! The low alcohol makes it perfect if you are eating your Lamb Gyro at lunch, or perhaps as a treat before heading off to a concert, play or ballgame. The low alcohol of Beaujolais will help ensure you won't need a nap, and you'll remain alert.
Beaujolais Villages is a light-bodied red wine is known for its bright red fruit flavours, such as cherry and raspberry, along with a refreshing acidity. The wine’s fruitiness enhances the savoury, spiced lamb while its acidity helps cut through the richness of the meat and the creaminess of the tzatziki sauce. Additionally, the subtle earthiness and floral notes in Beaujolais Villages resonate well with the herbs and spices used in the gyro.
Red Wine
Syrah
Lamb Gyro
Known for its full body and bold flavours, Syrah often features dark fruit notes like blackberry and plum, along with spicy and peppery undertones. The wine's rich fruitiness enhances the savoury, spiced lamb, while its moderate tannins help to balance the richness of the meat and the creaminess of the tzatziki sauce. Additionally, the wine's earthy and smoky notes resonate well with the herbs and spices used in the gyro.
This pairing is a touch too bold for my liking, however, if you have a very flavourful lamb gyro that is well seasoned, I might choose this as I do love the peppery flavours of Syrah.
Type
Varietal
Food
Why This Pairing Works
Agiorgitiko & Lamb Gyro Pairing
If you want to stick to a true Greek experience, Agiorgitiko is the way to go. Agiorgitiko is a Greek red wine notable for its floral, blackberry, cherry pit, herb, smoke, and red plum aromas. Medium-bodied, dry and silky, Agiorgitiko has the right balance of tannin and acidity to chew into the Lamb meat and cut through the Pita bread and Tzatziki sauce. The ripe cherry, blackberry and plum flavours offer a refreshing contrast against the gamey lamb flavours. Meanwhile, you get flavours of game, smoke, earth and herbs that complement the Lamb with every bite.
You can find a bottle of Agiorgitiko easily for under $15, but be forewarned, many wine enthusiasts do not like imported Greek Red wines as they feel Greece keeps the best for themselves. However, seeing as a Greek Gyro is an everyday food, why not take a chance on an everyday drinking red wine like Agiorgitiko.
Lagrein & Lamb Gyro Pairing
Lagrein is a fleshy red wine from Italy with moderate tannin and zesty acidity. Expect inviting flavours of blackberry, raspberry and plum that make the wine pop and go great with those gamey lamb flavours. Lagrein has a strong balsamic presence which helps it pair with the slightly sour tzatziki sauce. However, do take note that Lagrein will only work well if there is a minimal amount of Tzatziki sauce on your Lamb Gyro.
Lagrein isn’t all fun and fruit, and you can also expect rustic flavours of herbs, leather, meat, smoke, spice, tar and dark chocolate, which merge beautifully with the garlic, onions and lamb flavours in your Gyro.
Expect to pay $20 or less for a decent Lagrein. Notable producers include, Abbazia di Novacella, Alois Lageder, Bottega Vinaia, San Pietro and Terlano.
Zinfandel & Lamb Gyro Pairing
Out of all the wines listed here, Zinfandel is the most easily available red wine to purchase. A medium-bodied Zinfandel is going to be fruit-forward with plush flavours of blackberries, black cherries, plum and raspberries. This fruitiness helps mask the gaminess of the Lamb and keeping your palate refreshed in between bites. You’ll also find notes of spice, herbs, smoke and flowers that go awesome with the herbed-up rotisserie lamb meat.
Please don’t go too expensive with your Zinfandel as these will see lots of oak ageing and tend to be high in alcohol, making them unsuitable with a straightforward Lamb Gyro. The additional tannin will clash with the tomatoes in your Gyro, and the additional alcohol is not pleasant with the garlic and onions in the Gyro.
Retsina & Lamb Gyro Pairing
If your Lamb is heavy on the Tzatziki sauce, a red wine won’t cut it, and white wine becomes a better choice. Unfortunately, white wine won’t complement the Lamb meat, however, if you have the Lamb Gyro more as a salad (where there are more veggies than meat), a Greek wine like Retsina works out quite nicely.
While I’d highly suggest a Sauvignon Blanc over Retsina when pairing with a Lamb Gyro, many people are often interested in pairing Greek food with Greek wine. Retsina tends to have a pine resin or turpentine flavour that I can’t stand. Yet, if you find a Retsina that tones down the resin they add, you’ll find a bone dry white wine with notes of oregano, grapefruit, lemon and mint, which all go great with the Tzatziki sauce and lamb meat.
Rosé & Lamb Gyro Pairing
When pairing a dry and tart Rosé with a Lamb Gyro, you’re taking the safe route of choosing a wine that will somewhat go with the Lamb and somewhat with the Tzatziki sauce. While Rosé will be delicious with a Lamb Gyro, this is not an outstanding pairing, as the wine will not enhance the Gyro, nor will the Lamb Gyro make the wine taste any better. Not that there is anything wrong with this. Lamb Gyro is everyday eating food, and Rosé is a food-friendly wine that is not out to impress.
The beauty of Rosé is that it is acidic, tart, dry and fruity. Expect subtle flavours of raspberry, strawberry and cranberry, along with a kiss of lime that keeps your mouth refreshed and mask the gaminess of the Lamb. You’ll also find a bit of herbs in there that will complement the Lamb seasoning. There isn’t any tannin in Rosé, so the wine remains sharp and crisp and essentially only acts as a sharp contrast to the savoury lamb meat.
I’m not trying to slam Rosé here, as I love it. But I need to point out its limitations. As for its highlights, Rosé is the perfect wine for enjoying a Lamb Gyro out on a sunny patio. The wine never gets in the way of the delicious Lamb Gyro flavours, and it makes each bite taste bright and fresh as the high acidity of Rosé will make the tzatziki, Lamb, onions and garlic flavours pop!
