A Drought is a Plague: Saint Roch to Montreal’s Rescue
In times of struggle, saints are often called upon for healing, protection, and mercy. And with the Montreal Canadiens facing a Stanley Cup drought, it’s only fitting that this season’s Hockey WineUp pairing, Saint-Roch Corbarol 2022, invokes the spirit of St. Roch, the saint associated with warding off plagues. For a franchise as storied as the Canadiens, a little divine intervention, might be just what’s needed.
A Saint for a Religious Institution
In Montreal, the Canadiens aren’t just a hockey team—they’re a religious institution. The sacred “Le Tricolore” has become almost mythical, akin to the Holy Trinity, only the deities are Richard, Béliveau, and Plante. But even the most revered institutions aren’t immune to curses, and for the Canadiens, the most haunting plague of all is the Stanley Cup drought.
Injuries, illnesses, and bad luck can all plague a team in different ways. But the drought—the absence of a championship—has a way of sinking its claws into a franchise and its fans.
The Wine: Saint-Roch Corbarol
Just as the Zamboni leaves the ice crisp and clean between periods, Saint-Roch Corbarol brings a fresh and crisp experience to your palate. With a fuller body and a long, satisfying finish, this wine is meant to be savored—perfect for stretching a single glass through an entire period of hockey.
This isn’t just any wine. It’s a wine that embodies patience and resilience, much like the Habs fan base as they wait for their team’s return to glory.
The Drought
While the Canadiens don’t have the longest Stanley Cup drought in NHL history, it feels especially agonizing for their fans. For nine decades—from the 1910s to the 1990s—the Canadiens consistently won at least one Cup per decade. But since 1993, they haven’t managed to reclaim the coveted prize, leaving all in Montreal restless and eager for a return to greatness.
As we step into the mid-2020s, perhaps it’s time to call upon the mysticism of Roman Catholicism, with a prayer to Saint Roch for the end of this long drought. Just as Saint Roch is revered for healing and protection, the hope is that his blessing will guide the Canadiens back to the promised land, bringing Lord Stanley’s Cup home to Montreal once more.
Raise Your Glass
This year, as the Canadiens strive to break their decades-long drought, let’s raise a glass of Saint-Roch Corbarol 2022 in honor of the patron St. Roch. May he protect the Habs’ community—fans, players, and organization alike—from further hardships, and lead them to triumph.
Amen.
Cheers!
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© 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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