Game pie and Listrac

A classic match for this time of year but no less enjoyable for that.

I was reminded just how good it was by a meal at a local Bristol bistro, the Primrose Café, a charming hark-back to the '70's that serves good, basic home-cooked English food.

The pie, which was really delicious with a good crisp crust and lashings of gamey gravy, came with parsnip purée and red cabbage but neither of those upset the accompanying wine - a very attractive half bottle of 1999 Château Fourcas Hosten, Listrac. (It was mid-week, so we resisted the full bottle!)

For a nine year old half bottle it was still remarkably fresh with attractive soft plummy fruit and that characteristic cedar twist that makes traditionally made clarets so appealing. It reminds one - if you need reminding - what a sympathetic pairing modestly priced claret can be. And what good value - this was only £14 on the wine list! (You can buy it from everywine.co.uk for £202.13 a case)

A mid-priced - or highly-priced Rhône or Rioja would also have worked well - this is a good dish to show off a red wine.

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