http://bugs.winehq.org/show_bug.cgi?id=11744
--- Comment #21 from Rico kgbricola@web.de 2008-09-21 13:15:28 --- After some more trying I got to the point that AOE3 throws the invalid configfile away and takes the standard values.
@D.S.M.: Feel free to make a patch ;-). To start the game with default settings simply remove the configfile like this: rm ~/My\ Games/Age\ of\ Empires\ 3\ Trial/Users/NewProfile.xml && wine age3.exe