Everyone has those things in their lives they are passionate about.  For me two of those things are hockey and wine, so this time of year is one of my favorites.  I wanted to find a way to merge the two together into one event.  A way to bring my hockey world and my wine world crashing together just to see what happens.  With that goal in mine the Stanley Cup of wine was born.

I have taken the first round match-ups for the Stanley cup playoffs and found wines that, in some way, relate back to each team.  It could be that a wine was made in the same state that a team is from.  Or it could be that the team name is in the name of the wine even though it’s from a different part of the world.  There are even some instances were both state and name come together to form the perfect wine for this tourney.  I have taken the winery notes for those wines and provided them with each team instead of the name of the wine.  So now you can select which team you want to advance in each series match-up.  You can choose based on the actual team, the description of the wine, whatever trips your fancy.

As the playoffs progress and the intensity increases I will get the remaining team wines in hand along with a fan or two of some of the teams when possible (these moments will have to be recorded).   This will let us have some taste offs to go along with your votes (I may even try to do a couple live!)

But most of all I just hope this will an opportunity for those of us that love hockey and wine a chance to connect, get to know each other, talk some smack, and above all else, have fun enjoying the greatest of sports tournaments.

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Vancouver Canucks vs LA Kings

Vancouver Canucks:
“Off-dry, this white delivers peach, apple and ruby grapefruit notes, matched to a lively structure, with a nice mouthwatering finish..”

LA Kings:
Light and refreshing, offering flavors of melon and apricot on an open frame..

Winner = LA Kings

St. Louis Blues vs San Jose Sharks

St. Louis Blues:
“A lovely wine, drinkable now and over the next few years. Made from Merlot, the two Cabernets and a dash of Syrah, it’s rich and lush in blackberry, blueberry, cured meat, black pepper and cedar flavors, wrapped into smooth, spicy tannins.”

San Jose Sharks:
“Our Bald Mountain Chardonnay is a light straw color and begins with delicate, layered aromas of oak spice, lemon and ripe orchard fruit. Bright flavors of ripe peach, nectarine, honey, pineapple, citrus and vanilla crème continue in this elegantly structured wine with moderate acidity that gives it a rich, silky balance.”

Winner = St. Louis Blues

Phoenix Coyotes vs Chicago Blackhawks

Phoenix Coyotes:
The nose consists of violets, black currant leaf, ripe wild berry and integrated spice of the Cabernet grape. Mulberry and blackberry are the dominant fruit flavors enhanced by a tight palate with silky grape tannins and elegant complex cedar oak, so typical of Penley Style. A very generous mid palate with a hints of licorice and chocolate lingers on the finish.

Chicago Blackhawks:
“A great Chardonnay to serve this fall with family and friends. Medium bodied with nice oak and soft fruit flavors throughout. Great value!.”

Winner = Phoenix Coyotes

Nashville Predators vs Detroit Red Wings

Nashville Predators:
“Bright Aromas: Bing cherry, blackberry jam, French vanilla, and white pepper. Big Flavors: Blackberry, spicy white pepper, French vanilla and spearmint.”

Detroit Red Wings:
“Great lime and lemon fruit with bright acidity.”

 Winner = Nashville Predators