Divergence, Gamay Noir 2021 Wismer Wingfield Vineyard
The Montreal Canadiens are the most storied franchise in the NHL with a history that extends back to 1909. As hockey has evolved so have le bleu, blanc, et rouge – from hockey sweaters to new high performance jerseys, wood sticks to carbon one piece sticks, and the evolution of the broadcast from radio to TV to digital streaming the Montreal Canadiens has been a presence that connects the old world to the new world.
The Gamay Noir grape can be found in literature as far back as the 15th century and in France is best known for the wines that reflect a joie de vivre produced in Beaujolais – if you have ever sat in the upper bowl of Centre Bell you will know that the Canadiens fans are full of life!
Wine Details
Gamay Noir grapes were sourced from the Wingfield Vineyard managed by the Wismer Family. Although better known for the adjacent Chardonnay block, this younger planting of Gamay shows great promise.
Juicy and fruit driven, maturation in mostly older French Oak barrels for 9 months helps to round out the structure and fullness of this wine. This wine is equally at home on a patio in the summertime or with a hearty meal in the winter showcasing the potential for Niagara Gamay as a versatile and approachable wine for any occasion.
Wine Description
Pale ruby in the glass, this fruit driven wine has typical aromas of cherry, raspberry, plums, and pepper. The palate is tart and refreshing, with a light but substantial structure and smooth finish. The 2021 vintage started with relatively good vine and bud health from a small crop and mild winter. Summer temperatures were among the hottest on record and conditions were optimal for flowering and fruit set.
In August, what appeared to be an early and ripe vintage stalled due to drought. This was followed by record rains in September and October resulting in a rapid increase in cluster weight and dilution of berry contents.
Wine Stats
Variety: 100% Gamay Noir
Alcohol.: 12.2%
Residual Sugar: 0.2 g/L
Titratable Acidity: 7.5 g/L
pH: 3.28
Bottling Date: 2022-09-01
Production: 120 cases
Appellation: Twenty Mile Bench
Hockey WineUp Viewing Schedule
Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2023
Montreal at Toronto, 7 p.m.
Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2023
Pittsburgh at Montreal, 7 p.m.
Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2024
Buffalo at Montreal, 7 p.m.
Saturday, March 9, 2024
Toronto at Montreal, 7 p.m.
© 2025 Nicholas Shalagan and Hockey WineUp. All rights reserved. Hockey WineUp is an independent publication and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the NHL or its teams.
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Nice looking wine. Will need to get some.
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Divergence will have a Hockey WineUp 6-mix case to purchase starting in mid-fall…. 5 more Divergence pairings coming up, 1 of them being the October 11 season opener opponent to the Habs (Maple Leafs)
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