Europeans eat a good deal more game than we do, and their wines are a great place to start for pairings. From France, Rhône's red wines are ideal with every imaginable game dish, and since they come at all prices from $10 to $1,000, any budget can be accommodated. At the bottom of the price range, Parallèle "45" ($11) is available all over town, and it provides a good hint of how great Rhônes can taste. Up a step and still widely available is M. Chapoutier's Belleruche ($14). For a full-bore fun wine, get something from the St. Joseph area. E. Guigal and Domaine Jean-Louis Chave both make great big plumy wines for around $35.
Italians also love their game, and most of the red wines of Italy will work nicely. There are many tiny Italian wineries, and many of the interesting small ones will be at just a store or two, so the best strategy is to go to a store where there's a trustworthy wine person and ask for a recommendation. That being said, one of the great bargains of Italian wine is Masi's Campofiorin Ripasso ($15), a wine with the substantial mouth cleansing acidity that game requires. Also, pay special attention to any Barberas from Piemonte, starting with La Nunsiò Ideale Barbera d'Asti Superiore ($13) ranging up to Braida Il Baciale Barbera ($28) or Bruno Giacosa ($35), all ideal with rabbit.
