Same Old Song? Maybe Not This Year with Bachelder Wine
For Toronto Maple Leafs fans, hope is a constant companion. Despite the ups and downs of the 70s, 80s and 90s, and a few missed chances in the 2000s, the Leafs somehow, always seem to come up short. It’s exactly the eternal hope that keeps Leafs Nation coming back, every autumn for the start of the season, in hopes a victory parade will come in the spring.
In 2021, Hockey WineUp paired the Leafs with a Thomas Bachelder Niagara Pinot Noir. Bachelder wines embody the same excitement and possibility as the team it it is paired with. This year, we’re doing it again, with Bachelder Les Villages Bench Pinot Noir 2021 as the 2025 Hockey WineUp pairing for the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Leafs and the Cup
There was a time when the Toronto Maple Leafs were synonymous with Stanley Cup victories. Between 1927 and 1967, the Leafs operated under a system of stability that produced championships. In those 40 years, the team had only two owners (Conn Smythe and his son, Stafford), five general managers, and ten head coaches—keeping a winning formula intact.
But since 1967, stability has been elusive. The Leafs have cycled through six owners, 26 coaches, and 17 general managers.
Maybe it’s stability the Leafs need to finally lift the Cup once more. With a new-ish ownership group, new-ish GM, and new head coach at the helm, fans are hopeful this could be the year. And don’t forget about Auston Matthews becoming the new Captain of the team. While the chemistry experiment remains uncertain, one thing is for sure: Leafs fans will have a perfectly balanced wine in their glass while they watch it all unfold.
The Wine: Bachelder Les Villages Bench Pinot Noir 2021
This Pinot Noir is nothing short of delightful, offering bursts of red fruit, especially cherries, with an energy that keeps you coming back for more. Known for crafting brilliantly balanced wines, Thomas Bachelder has mastered the art of capturing the essence of Niagara, and this wine reflects that artistry with a touch of minerality. Whether you’re sipping it solo or with a group of friends, it’s the kind of wine that makes you sit back and appreciate the moment—something we all hope can be said for watching the Maple Leafs this year too.
The Leafs, The Wine
In hockey, cherries mean goals, and fans can expect plenty of cherries from the Leafs this season—just like the cherry notes in Bachelder’s Pinot Noir. This wine brings a refreshing energy to the glass, much like the old-school intensity of the Leafs’ new head coach. And let’s not forget the wine’s minerality, an earthy character that reflects wet stone and saltiness. Expect the Leafs to embrace that same saltiness as they pursue a long-awaited Cup.
So, as you pour a glass of Bachelder Les Villages Bench Pinot Noir 2021, here’s to hoping that, this year is not the same old song, and that the different beat means the cup drought will be gone.
Cheers to stability, balance, and a new era for the Leafs!
Cheers!
Don’t miss out on watching hockey in style … Get Your 2025 Hockey WineUp Jersey Today!
The 2025 Hockey WineUp home and away jerseys are a stylish tarp perfect for the wine-loving hockey fan, designed for game days with a touch of elegance. Email grapes@hockeywineup.com to make an order.
© 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.
hockeywineup.com 
Leave a comment