The bench clearing continues! In Part 1, we sorted through the first wave of wine pairings for teams whose seasons ended early, deciding which deserved a coveted playoff roster spot (Spoiler: Only the Curvos Vinho Verde made the cut!).
Now, let’s look at another group of teams packing their bags instead of prepping for Round 1. The question remains: should any of these associated wines stick around for the playoff party, or are they destined for the off-season cellar?
Here’s the Hockey WineUp take on the next batch of non-playoff pairings:
More 2025 Non-Playoff Wine Review
1. Castell D’Or Cava Brut, Catalonia (Vancouver Canucks Pairing)
Recommendation: Keep on the Roster!
The Sip: What a rollercoaster season for the Canucks! Despite the drama and a valiant late push that ultimately fell short, their associated bubbly absolutely deserves to play on through the postseason.
The Scout: Let’s face it, you always need good sparkling wine on hand for playoff triumphs (or even just surviving a nail-biting Game 7 OT). This Cava is a fantastic value pick – crisp, dry, refreshing, and perfect for celebrating a big goal or a hard-fought series win without needing a superstar’s salary cap hit. Keep it chilled and ready for those moments that demand a cork pop!
2. Hugel Grand Vin D’Alsace Pinot Noir “Grossi Laue” 2013 (Buffalo Sabres Pairing)
Recommendation: Retire for the Season
The Sip: The Sip: The Sabres showed exciting flashes early on but, like a long shift, just couldn’t sustain the pace for the full 82-game season. This high-end Pinot Noir from Alsace is similarly impressive but perhaps asks for more attention than the frantic pace of playoff hockey allows.
The Scout: “Grossi Laue” is an elegant, complex wine – think of it as a skilled playmaker who needs the right setup. It deserves a focused moment, maybe paired with a nice dinner. Let’s save this sophisticated sip for the off-season or a quieter night. We’ll definitely keep an eye out for Alsatian gems when the 2026 Hockey WineUp season kicks off!
3. Château Clarke 2016 (New York Rangers Pairing)
Recommendation: Retire for the Season
The Sip: On paper, the Rangers had the pieces, but finding that consistent winning identity proved challenging, even with attempts like the JT Miller trade buzz. This solid Bordeaux mirrors that “close, but not quite there” feeling this season.
The Scout: Château Clarke is a quality Listrac-Médoc Bordeaux, a dependable player that often benefits from more time developing in the cellar (or bottle). While enjoyable, it doesn’t quite scream “springtime playoff energy.” We’ll shelve this one for now and look for pairings with a clearer championship drive for the Cup chase.
4. Château Argadens Bordeaux Supérieur (Detroit Red Wings Pairing)
Recommendation: Retire for the Season
The Sip: Patience remains the mantra in Detroit as the Yzerplan continues to unfold. The Red Wings are undeniably building for tomorrow’s battles.
The Scout: This reliable Bordeaux Supérieur is like a solid third-liner – good value, does its job, but maybe not your go-to for Game 7 excitement. Similar to the Wings’ playoff contention this year, it feels more like a future prospect than a current star for this playoff run. Keep both the team and affordable Bordeaux on your radar, but this bottle can sit out the postseason.
5. Monterra Shiraz McLaren Vale 2022 (New York Islanders Pairing)
The Sip: The Lou Lamoriello / Patrick Roy tandem was certainly one of the season’s most fascinating storylines, even if it didn’t translate into a playoff spot this time. The Isles bring intensity, but consistency was lacking.
The Scout: This McLaren Vale Shiraz is bold and brings the heat, much like the Islanders’ potential. However, its full-bodied warmth and weight might feel a bit heavy for intense playoff nights, especially as the weather (hopefully!) warms up. Let’s park this powerful red until BBQ season or next fall’s opening puck drop.
6. Cuvée Jean-Paul Blanc de Blancs Sec (Seattle Kraken Pairing)
Recommendation: Retire for the Season
The Sip: The Kraken wave recedes for another season. They’re becoming a familiar presence – reliably competitive, occasionally dangerous, but not quite striking fear into the hearts of top contenders yet.
The Scout: This French white blend mirrors that feeling. It’s pleasant, easy-drinking, and often a good value find – a nice everyday table wine. But does it bring the ‘wow’ factor needed for a high-stakes playoff viewing party? Not quite. If you stumble upon it, give it a try, but save your precious playoff roster spots for something more dynamic.
7. Cuvée Jean-Paul Rouge (Utah HC Pairing)
Recommendation: Retire for the Season
The Sip: From the desert sands to the snowy mountains! The inaugural season of Utah HC brought a new logo and location, even if the underlying team felt familiar (Pour one out for the Coyotes, folks). A season of transition ends without postseason play.
The Scout: Much like its white sibling above, this simple, fruity French red is an agreeable, straightforward player. Think of it as a decent utility forward – versatile but lacking the scoring punch needed for playoff glory. It gets a pass, but not a spot on the playoff roster.
8. Bread & Butter Pinot Grigio (Anaheim Ducks Pairing)
Recommendation: Retire for the Season
The Sip: The Ducks are clearly in development mode, watching their exciting young talent navigate the steep learning curve of the NHL. There were bright spots, but the growing pains were evident, and playoff contention remains on the horizon.
The Scout: Bread & Butter delivers accessible, crowd-pleasing wines, and this Pinot Grigio is no exception – clean, simple, straightforward. But for the drama and excitement of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, we’re looking for wines with a bit more personality and flair. Let’s move on from this pairing for now and look forward to seeing how both the Ducks and their future wine pairings mature!
Ready for the Contenders?
Okay, the bench is officially clear! From the last two posts, only the Castell D’Or Cava Brut and the Curvos Vinho Verde have survived the cut and earned their keep for playoff sipping.
Now, are you ready for the main event?
Stay tuned for Hockey WineUp Playoff Guide Part 3 and Part 4, where we finally unveil the winning pairings for the 16 teams actually battling it out for Stanley Cup glory! Get those corkscrews ready!
© 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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