Wine & Beer Suggestions
Guidelines for selecting  wine and beer to complement various meats and fowl dishes relate mostly to domestic animals. Since wild game has different flavors and much less fat, the pairing may need to be modified. For example, hearty domestic red meat with fat goes well with a Cabernet Sauvignon wine or Porter beer. Unless fat is added to a wild game dish it may be better with a less hearty wine or beer such as a Merlot or Brown Ale.
The suggestions in the following two tables have been developed using the guidelines for wine and beer. In using the tables it is important to note that sauces override the meat and the wine or beer is selected based on the type of sauce. If your dish includes a sauce you make your selection from the Sauce Table. If the dish does not include a sauce go to the Game and Fish Table and make a selection. If you want to keep the variety of wines and beers down to a reasonable number, it is suggested that you select a Merlot, Pinot Noir and a Riesling. Consider selecting American Pale Ale, Porter and Pilsner for beer.
Sauce Table
Sauce
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Wine Suggestions
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Beer Suggestions
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Tomato Based Sauce
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Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Grigio
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Brown Ale, ESB, Porter
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Cream Based Sauces
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White Sauce
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Chardonnay, Pinot Noir
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American Pale Ale, Pilsner
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Red Sauce
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Sangiovese, Zinfandel, Merlot
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Brown Ale, Porter
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Butter Based Sauces
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Chardonnay, Riesling, Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris
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American Golden Lager, Pilsner, Wheat Ale
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Clear Stock Based Sauces
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Beef
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Chardonnay, Pinot Noir
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Porter
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Chicken
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Pinot Gris
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Wheat Ale, Amber Ale
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Puree Vegetable/Herbs
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Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir
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Wheat Ale, American Premium Lager
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Glazes
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Sweet
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Chenin Blanc, Riesling
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Wheat Ale, Pilsner
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Spicy
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Riesling, Gewurztraminer, Pinot Noir
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India Pale Ale, Wheat Ale
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Barbeque Sauce
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BBQ Sauce
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Zinfandel
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Brown Ale, ESB, Porter
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Spicy BBQ Sauce
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Gewurztraminer, Riesling
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American Pale Ale, India Pale Ale, Pilsner
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Game and Fish Table
Wild Game Dish
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Wine Suggestions
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Beer Suggestions
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Big Game (Venison)
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Roasts
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Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Zinfandel
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Brown Ale, ESB, Porter
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Braised/Grilled
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Lemberger, Merlot, Zinfandel
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Brown Ale, ESB, Porter
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Fried
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Cabernet Franc, Merlot
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Brown Ale, ESB, Porter
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Spicy (Sausage)
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Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc, Gewurztraminer, Sangiovese
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India Pale Ale, American Pale Ale
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Waterfowl and Upland Birds
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Ducks/Geese
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Roasted/Fried
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Zinfandel, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Syrah
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Amber Ale, American Brown Ale, Porter
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Doves
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Roasted/Fried
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Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Syrah
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American Brown Ale, Porter
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Pheasant/Quail/Forest Grouse
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Roasted
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Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Pinot Noir
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American Pale Ale, Amber Ale, Pilsner, Wheat Ale
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Stewed (Spicy)
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Lemberger, Pinot Noir, Gewurztraminer, Sangiovese
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India Pale Ale, American Pale Ale
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Gray Partridge
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Roasted
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Zinfandel, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay
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Brown Ale, Amber ale
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Stewed
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Sangiovese, Gewurztraminer, Pinot Noir
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India Pale Ale, ESB, Brown Ale
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Fish
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Trout
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Riesling, Pinot Gris
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Wheat Ale, American Golden Lager, Pilsner
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Walleye/Bass
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Riesling, Pinot Gris
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Wheat Ale, American Golden Lager, Pilsner
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Salmon
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Poached
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Riesling, Pinot Gris, Sauvignon Blanc
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American Premium Lager, Pilsner
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Smoked/Grilled
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Pinot Noir, Gewurztraminer, Chardonnay, Sangiovese
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American Pale Ale, India Pale Ale, Pilsner
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Shellfish
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Pinot Gris, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay
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Wheat Ale, India Pale Ale, American Golden Lager, Pilsner
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