Yields Makes 8 to 10 servings
Notes: Merlot, a recently popular red varietal wine, brings an all-tme favorite meat into the '90s.

How to Make It

Step 1
1

In a 9- by 13-inch baking dish, combine soy sauce, Merlot, white wine, garlic, chopped oregano, chopped rosemary, and pepper. Add lamb and turn to coat with marinade. Cover and chill at least 6 hours or up to 1 day, turning meat over several times.

Step 2
2

Lift lamb from marinade (reserve marinade) and place on a barbecue grill over a solid bed of medium coals or medium heat on a gas grill (you can hold your hand at grill level only 4 to 5 seconds). Close lid on gas grill. Cook, turning as needed to brown meat evenly, until a thermometer inserted in thickest part of leg reaches 135° to 140° for rare (thinner portions will be well-done), 30 to 45 minutes. Brush meat occasionally with marinade up until the last 10 minutes of cooking.

Step 3
3

Transfer meat to a platter, keep warm, and let rest 5 to 15 minutes. Garnish with oregano and rosemary sprigs. To serve, thinly slice meat. Add salt to taste.

Ingredients

 1/2 cup soy sauce
 1/2 cup Merlot
 1/2 cup dry white wine
 4 cloves garlic, pressed or minced
 1/2 cup chopped fresh oregano leaves or 2 tablespoons dried oregano
 2 tablespoons coarsely chopped fresh rosemary leaves or 1 tablespoon dried rosemary
 1 tablespoon coarse-ground pepper
 1 leg of lamb (5 to 6 lb.), boned, butterflied, and fat-trimmed
  Oregano and rosemary sprigs (optional)
  Salt

Directions

Step 1
1

In a 9- by 13-inch baking dish, combine soy sauce, Merlot, white wine, garlic, chopped oregano, chopped rosemary, and pepper. Add lamb and turn to coat with marinade. Cover and chill at least 6 hours or up to 1 day, turning meat over several times.

Step 2
2

Lift lamb from marinade (reserve marinade) and place on a barbecue grill over a solid bed of medium coals or medium heat on a gas grill (you can hold your hand at grill level only 4 to 5 seconds). Close lid on gas grill. Cook, turning as needed to brown meat evenly, until a thermometer inserted in thickest part of leg reaches 135° to 140° for rare (thinner portions will be well-done), 30 to 45 minutes. Brush meat occasionally with marinade up until the last 10 minutes of cooking.

Step 3
3

Transfer meat to a platter, keep warm, and let rest 5 to 15 minutes. Garnish with oregano and rosemary sprigs. To serve, thinly slice meat. Add salt to taste.

Grilled Merlot Lamb

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