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IT The best companions for the game season
From delicate saddle of roe deer to hearty wild boar ragout
Game is pure aromatic cinema: the delicate pink of a saddle of roe deer, the earthy aroma of braised venison, the rustic spice of wild boar. Every type of game calls for a different wine character – and we have found the perfect companion for each one.
In short — which wine with game? Elegant Pinot Noir and Gamay for delicate roe deer; structured reds such as Blaufränkisch for venison; rustic Tuscan or Piedmontese wines for wild boar. The darker the meat and the richer the sauce, the more powerful the wine may be.
At lebendigeweine.de, we have selected our finest companions from over 180 wines recommended for game. The golden rule: delicacy with finesse, power with structure.
Delicate roe deer calls for elegant Burgundies and Beaujolais. Hearty venison needs wines with backbone, such as Blaufränkisch or Gevrey-Chambertin. And wild boar? That is where rustic Italian wines made from Sangiovese and Barbera shine.
Roe deer – Elegant Pinots & Gamay
Saddle of roe deer roasted pink, braised haunch, medallions with lingonberries – roe deer is the most delicate of all game. Its fine, slightly sweet meat must not be overwhelmed by overly powerful wines.
This is where elegant Pinot Noirs from Burgundy and the finely fruited Gamay from Beaujolais triumph. A Moulin-à-Vent or a Volnay – the silky texture of these wines caresses the tender roe deer perfectly.
Morgon “Château Gaillard” AOC 2020
Gamay from Romanesca, grown on the mere 0.8-hectare Château Gaillard parcel in Morgon, with vines around 40 years old on pink granite: ripe cherries, dark berries, liquorice and warm forest floor, fleshy on the palate with silky tannins and a peppery, smoky finish. With this density, it stands up to pink-roasted saddle of roe deer, while the pepper and forest floor pick up the spicy notes of the game.
Marsannay “Les Longeroies” 2020
Pinot Noir from the gateway to the Côte de Nuits. Charlopin-Tissier makes living Burgundies with finesse and freshness. The cherry fruit and delicate spice wonderfully complement roe deer with lingonberries.
Volnay AOC 2021
Volnay is the “feminine” village of the Côte de Beaune – pure elegance. Jean-Marc & Thomas Bouley showcase this finesse: silky tannins, floral notes, red fruits. The perfect luxury partner for tender roe deer.
Venison – Powerful reds with structure
Venison goulash, braised haunch, venison medallions in juniper sauce – venison is the most intense of all game meats. This dark, aromatic meat calls for wines with structure and depth.
This is where Austrian Blaufränkisch and powerful Burgundies from Gevrey-Chambertin truly shine. The tannins provide backbone, while the dark fruit complements the earthy aroma of the venison.
Gluegglich Rot
A biodynamic red wine by Fred Loimer, intended for mulled wine – but also a pleasure when served cold. Fruity, spicy, with gentle tannins. An uncomplicated companion for rustic venison goulash.
Moric Reserve 2020
Roland Velich is the master of Blaufränkisch. The Reserve shows this grape variety at its very best: dark-fruited, spicy, with firm tannins and fine acidity. Perfect for braised venison haunch.
Gevrey-Chambertin AOC 2022
Gevrey is the most powerful village on the Côte de Nuits. Trapet Père & Fils work biodynamically and present Pinot Noir with structure and depth. Black cherry, liquorice, fine tannins – a classic match for venison.
Wild Boar – Rustic Tuscans & Piedmont
Wild boar ragù with pappardelle, leg slowly braised, roast with rosemary and juniper – wild boar is the most rustic of all game. The spicy, dark meat calls for characterful Italians.
Sangiovese from Tuscany and Barbera from Piedmont are the first choice here. The lively acidity cuts through the rich meat, while the savoury notes complement the gamey aromas.
Il Corzanello Rosso IGT 2025
Corzano e Paterno works in the Val di Pesa south-west of Florence on soils rich in galestro and alberese; the estate red lends Sangiovese the structure of Cabernet Sauvignon and the soft mid-palate of Merlot. Deep ruby, cherry, dark berries and spice notes, plus drinkability and enough acidity for a wild boar ragù with pappardelle, which it finds in the sauce.
Barbera d’Asti “La Crena” DOCG 2022
Barbera from the La Crena single vineyard in Agliano Terme, where the oldest vines of Vietti have been rooted in calcareous marl since 1932. Cool dark forest berries, rosemary, thyme and white pepper, with finely knit acidity and young, polished tannins; the 15% alcohol stays seamlessly integrated. With braised wild boar, the acidity cuts through the fat while the herbs pick up the rosemary and juniper from the roasting pan.
Rosso di Montalcino DOC 2020
The “little brother” of the Brunello from Pian dell’Orino – one of the most respected biodynamic estates in Montalcino. Sangiovese Grosso with depth and elegance. For festive wild boar dishes.
Hare & Rabbit – Delicate Braised Dishes
Hare leg in red wine sauce, rabbit braised with olives and thyme, saddle of hare with a mustard crust – hare and rabbit have tender, slightly sweet meat that stands up well to long braising.
Medium-bodied red wines are ideal here: Austrian Blaufränkisch with its fine acidity, Tuscan cuvées or an elegant Barbaresco. Not too heavy, but with enough substance for the sauce.
Blaufränkisch Kalk & Schiefer 2022
Anita and Hans Nittnaus make elegant Blaufränkisch on Lake Neusiedl. Cherry, pepper, fine tannins – the minerality from the limestone lends freshness. Perfect for rabbit in white wine sauce.
Olmaia Toscana Rosso IGT 2018
Cabernet Sauvignon from Tuscany by Col d’Orcia. The 2018 is ready to drink now: ripe fruit, a touch of cedar, velvety tannins. A full-bodied partner for braised hare leg with herbs.
Fausoni Barbaresco DOCG 2021
Nebbiolo from a single vineyard site by Sottimano – one of the most exciting producers in Barbaresco. Roses, tar, red fruits, firm tannins. An elegant, luxurious partner for festive hare dishes.
Wild game birds – pheasant, pigeon & wild duck
Pheasant with grapes, roast pigeon, wild duck with orange – wild game birds combine the elegance of poultry with a gamey character. The dark, aromatic meat is more delicate than venison, yet more intense than chicken.
Elegant Pinot Noirs from Burgundy are particularly well suited here, but so are rustic Cahors wines from south-west France. The fruit often complements slightly sweet accompaniments such as grapes or orange sauce.
K-nom AOC 2022
Malbec from Cahors, the grape variety’s homeland. Clos Troteligotte makes living wines without heavy extraction: dark-fruited, spicy, with grip. A rustic companion for wild duck with cherry sauce.
Marsannay “Le Chapitre” 2023
Pinot Noir from a single vineyard site in Marsannay. “Le Chapitre” lies directly on the border with Fixin. Here, Charlopin-Tissier shows Burgundy with freshness and elegance. Perfect for pheasant with grapes.
Gevrey-Chambertin “Vieilles Vignes” 2023
Old vines from Gevrey-Chambertin – this lends concentration and depth. Charlopin-Tissier presents a structured Pinot Noir: dark cherry, spices, fine tannins. For festive pigeon or pheasant dishes.
Frequently asked questions
Which wine pairs best with game?
That depends on the type of game: elegant Pinot Noirs and Gamay from Beaujolais complement delicate roe deer. Robust venison calls for Blaufränkisch or powerful Burgundies. For wild boar, we recommend Tuscan Sangiovese or Barbera from Piedmont.
Why red wine with game?
Game has intense, earthy flavours and is often served with rich sauces. Red wine, with its tannins and dark fruit, complements these aromas perfectly. The acidity cuts through the fat, while the tannins provide structure alongside the sauce.
Does white wine go with game?
White wine is rather unusual with game – but not impossible. A matured Pinot Blanc can work well with delicate roe deer. For game birds such as pheasant or pigeon, a full-bodied Chardonnay is sometimes a good match. As a rule, however, red wine is the safer choice.
Which wine with game goulash?
Rustic, fruit-driven red wines pair beautifully with game goulash: Austrian Blaufränkisch, Chianti from Tuscany, or Côtes du Rhône. The wine should have enough acidity to lift the rich sauce – and a splash of it may well find its way into the pot too.
What is a good affordable wine for game?
Our top value picks: K-nom from Cahors for rustic game dishes, Chianti Terre di Corzano for wild boar, or Blaufränkisch Kalk & Schiefer for braises. All under 20 euros and perfect with game.
Discover all wines for game
This selection shows only a fraction of our recommendations. In our shop you will find over 180 wines that pair with game – the perfect companion for every type of game and method of preparation.
All wines for game