Wine Pairings with Game

Game is a category of meat with an intense, assertive flavour, marked by a firm texture and wild aromas. Pairing it with the right wine should bring out these qualities without being excessive. Let's discover the best wines to pair with furred and feathered game.

Characteristics of Game and General Pairings

Game meats fall into two main categories, which affect the choice of wine:

• Furred game (wild boar, hare, venison, roe deer): flavourful, structured meats that call for intense, tannic wines.
• Feathered game (pheasant, wild duck, partridge): more delicate but still aromatic meats, which go well with elegant, complex wines.

Other factors to consider:

• Type of cooking: braised and stewed dishes call for full-bodied wines with ripe tannins, while roast meats can be paired with more balanced wines.
• Seasonings and spices: dishes with aromatic herbs, juniper berries or cocoa can affect the pairing.

Best Wine and Food Pairings for Game

Recommended Structured Red Wines

• Barolo DOCG – Perfect for stewed wild boar and braises, thanks to its tannins and its complexity.
• Brunello di Montalcino DOCG – Ideal for venison and roe deer, for its structure and spicy notes.
• Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG – Excellent with jugged hare, thanks to its softness and intensity.

Recommended Elegant Red Wines

• Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG – Perfect for pheasant or duck, for its balance between freshness and structure.
• Pinot Noir Alto Adige DOC – Excellent for more delicate feathered game such as partridge, thanks to its finesse.

Recommended Sparkling Wines

• Franciacorta Extra Brut – It can be an interesting option to offset the richness of some duck or pheasant preparations.

Mistakes to Avoid in Pairing

Avoid light wines with little tannin (e.g. Dolcetto, standard Valpolicella) because they would be overpowered by the game.Watch out for wines that are too young and astringent, which can accentuate the ferrous flavour of some meats.Avoid wines that are too aromatic (e.g. Gewürztraminer) which clash with the intense flavours of game.