Lemin Särä

Lemin särä is one of Finland’s oldest traditional dishes. Authentic South Karelian särä is made in a birch-carved roasting trough, slowly cooked for several hours in a wood-fired oven. Only salt is used for seasoning, letting the meat’s natural flavor shine. The meat juices from the roast season the peeled potatoes, which are added underneath the lamb toward the end of cooking. It is traditionally served with freshly baked flatbread, rieska.

This dish is up to a thousand years old. You can order särä from online store in Finland or stop by Lemi to enjoy it on-site. Originating from Lemi in South Karelia, it’s a rare regional specialty and even has EU Traditional Specialty Guaranteed status—celebrated for its simplicity, heritage, and enduring local pride.

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Wine pairings

Lemin särä, with its slow-roasted lamb and delicious potatoes, calls for wines that can complement its rich, savory depth without overpowering the dish’s simplicity.

Red wines with moderate tannins like Barbera d'Asti or Merlot are excellent choices. Their soft structure and fruity notes enhance the lamb’s flavor while balancing the salt and fat.

For a bolder option, Ribera del Duero is a fantastic pairing for lamb dishes. Its full body and firm tannins stand up beautifully to the richness of slow-roasted lamb, while the wine’s structure cuts through the fat and elevate the meatiness. It’s especially great if you want something with elegance and power—perfect for a dish that’s been perfected over centuries.

Food friendly pairings

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Ribera del Duero Reserva

Why this wine match?