Game Wine Pairing

Game is prized for its intense meaty flavours, and when the meat is tenderised by grilling or slow cooking, it’s one of life’s greatest pleasures. Game, though, is not subtle — deer, wild boar, hare and feather game, including goose, plovers and corncrakes have bold flavour profiles that need the right wine pairing to shine.

As a general rule, we pair game with red wine, usually a Bordeaux based on Cabernet Franc, Merlot or Cabernet Sauvignon. Still, Rhône red wine made with Syrah, Grenache, Mourvèdre is equally enjoyable with game. The lesser-known region of Bandol in Provence champions rustic Mourvèdre red wine that is incredibly compatible with game meat.

Aged red wines with a more pronounced tertiary aroma of damp earth, leather and mushrooms will complement the game’s rustic flavours exceptionally well. Syrah’s black pepper and garrigue scents will also mirror flavours in typical game dishes.

A successful pairing in this category depends on the type of game and the cooking method, but you’ll always be on the safe side with a structured red wine.