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

MOOSE & SYRAH

Since moose meat is extremely lean and dense, it pairs best with a full-bodied red wine with a strong tannin structure to match the tight grain. Syrah can differ greatly, but it generally meets that requirement, while also adding layers of flavour such as black pepper and dried herbs. Many Syrah offerings from B.C. exemplify savoury, terroir-based sage notes, so adding a few leaves to the pan while cooking will further enhance the pairing and mirror the wine’s earthy character.

CHOICE PAIRING

Syrah 2020 from North Penticton, B.C.’s Poplar Grove Winery. Coming from the Okanagan Valley’s Osoyoos region, this Syrah is crafted with a pinch of Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Malbec for balance. A 15-month aging period in French oak results in a full-bodied wine, with a sturdy frame of tannins outlining a core of blackberries, purple plum and dark earthy notes. Dried herbs peek out along the edges of the palate, adding a defined, rustic profile. Well-structured and bold, it ends with a long, coffee finish.