We’re now entering the season of winter fires, robust wines and fabulous game.
Game birds such as quail, pheasant, duck and partridge have earthy flavours that are more robust than chicken. Wild game often goes better with red wines that have a gamy quality to them, the classic being Pinot Noir, the grape of red Burgundy. The flavours of Pinot Noir – plum, cherry, mushrooms, earth, and what some can only describe as a distinctive ‘farmyard’ aroma accentuate the gamey flavours in the food.
My recommendation from our list would be Nuits St Georges 2007 – Domaine Robert Arnoux, Vosne Romanée, Burgundy. Other alternatives to Pinot Noir would be Rioja, and lighter-style Rhone Valley wines such as Côte-Rôtie.
Choices are a bit more limited if you’re looking for a white wine to give a really good match with game. From our list I would recommend an Alsace Pinot Gris.
Above all, though, it’s about drinking what you enjoy – everyone’s palate is very different.
Kate Mackenzie