Grilled, roasted, or curry pheasant can be paired with many wines. As a versatile meat, you can find many red and white wines that complement the texture of this meat. You can throw in a few herbs like thyme along with some fruits like raisins and apricots to pressure cook in a crock pot.
Some light to medium-bodied reds like Sangiovese and Pinotage would go well with it. If you’re looking for whites we’d recommend a Pinot Grigio or an unoaked Chardonnay. Finally, we’d also recommend a classic Châteauneuf du Pape that will definitely not disappoint.
Wine Characteristics To Pair With Pheasant
| Characteristic | Detail |
| Sweetness | Medium sweetness |
| Acidity | High acidity |
| Tannins | Soft |
| Body | Light White / Light Red |
| Tasting Notes | Fruity, Refreshing, Citrus |
Pheasant meat can be prepared in many different ways and given the exotic preparations you can enjoy this main course with subtle wines that do not overpower the delicious meal.
Best Red Wine To Drink With Pheasant
When selecting a red wine for a pheasant it’s best to go with some of the classics. We suggest lighter body options such as an Italian Sangiovese or Pinotage and even a Rosé. For an all-time classic pairing, we recommend a Châteauneuf du Pape.
Sangiovese
With mouth-watering acidity and tighter tannins, Sangiovese is a great accompaniment for pheasant meat. The rich and rusty flavors of dark fruits like cherry make it a great choice.
Pinotage
For some black fruit flavors, we’d recommend a spicy and savory complex wine like Pinotage. This would be a perfect pairing given the bold notes of tobacco and licorice.
Châteauneuf du Pape
An exotic but nonetheless, outstanding pairing with a gamey bird-like Pheasant would be a Châteauneuf du Pape. If you want to enjoy a sophisticated meal, a bottle of this traditional old-world wine region is a must to impress a dinner party or on a date night.
Best White Wine To Drink With Pheasant
As gamey meat, pheasant would go best with some strongly flavored whites. For a balanced pairing with this delicate meat, you want to go for some bold whites that stand out in the taste.
Pinot Grigio
The light and citrusy sweetness coming from a Pinot Grigio makes it a great simple option to go for. Especially if you are preparing pheasant in white wine and mushroom sauces.
Chardonnay
An unoaked chardonnay would be great to complement the pheasant meat, especially one that is roasted or grilled with herbs. This will offer a mild and aromatic tasting profile for the meal.
Best Wine To Drink With Pheasant
Pheasant is an exotic meat and therefore calls for a sophisticated wine pairing with the greatness of the likes of Châteauneuf du Pape. You can also go for some regular reds and whites depending on how the meat has been prepared and what it is served with. Our best recommendations for pheasant would be:
- Sangiovese
- Châteauneuf du Pape
- Pinotage
- Pinot Grigio
- Chardonnay
