Your wild game deserves a great Canadian wine. A wine pro shows you how to choose one

When I was growing up, my father taught me that every point leading up to the moment of serving what has been harvested must be handled with care, precision and respect for both the animal and the land. As a wine professional, I realize that correctly pairing wild game with wine is also a meaningful way to honour the harvest—and you don’t need to be a trained sommelier to do it well.

By considering a wine’s weight, acidity, structure and flavour profile, you can create thoughtful pairings that complement game without overpowering it. Making your wine choice the last decision you make before reaping the rewards of the hunt, you can easily create a harmonious “what grows together, goes together” moment that elevates the entire meal.

Just like wine, game meat is terroir-driven, meaning the different flavours are based on the animal’s habitat and, more specifically, its diet. Canada’s vineyards offer a wide variety of choices to match any wild game, but here are a few easy guidelines and pairing suggestions to get you started.