Looking for Lord Stanley's Wine

I don't know about you, but the stress caused by the Canucks and their inability to do anything easy calls for a glass of wine, if not several, but which ones should you be sipping?

As it turns out our selection of these wines is tougher than any run to the cup. Winning the best of seven, or 16 out of 28 games, doesn't compare with earning one of our six weekly picks chosen from scores of wines tasted.

The process gets even tougher because the wine has to be good, but not that good. After all, it's the Stanley Cup finals and most of the concentrating will be on the games, not the wine. That means you get a five-minute major for opening any so-called great wines during a cup final. That doesn't imply junk wine rules, but rather inexpensive, well-made wines should be the norm, perhaps with a bit more obvious fruit and or alcohol or both to carry the din of any party. Champagne could be in order if the Canucks actually win Lord Stanley's shiny cup.

Food and wine pairing is also off limits because it will only add an unneeded complication to the evening. It doesn't preclude you experimenting, in fact what better environment than a spread that likely involves shrimp, salsa, taco chips, hamburgers, ordered-in Chinese or Thai, spaghetti and, well, you get the picture. Anything goes as far as hockey noshing and it usually often arrives in waves between periods.

We are providing three whites given it is almost summer, and three reds because just about everyone drinks red wine, even with taco chips. Actually popcorn and Chardonnay can easily carry a first period and, if necessary, double overtime. Don't forget in true Stanley Cup fashion, be sure to drink the bottles one at a time. Don't get too high after a winning glass of wine and don't get too low after a loss caused by a corked wine. And most of all GO Canucks GO.

My Bob Cole wine (try to remember this name) is Surani Pietrariccia Fiano 2009 from Salento, Apulia in southern Italy. So fresh and floral in the glass, this ripe, round, dry white is awash in honey, ginger, orange, lemon, red apple, quince and floral flavours, all with fine acidity. Solid value in a versatile white that kills penalties like Kevin Bieksa.

The delicious Fat Bastard Chardonnay 2008 from the Languedoc, is a pleasant surprise like a Chris Tanev, no panic, pass out of the Canuck defensive zone. Again in that summer theme, it is fresh, light and elegant on the palate with a slightly sweet, warm entry. Honey, baked pineapple, lemon peel and mineral flavours dominate its simple, fruity, forward style. A solid southern French label with a modern twist. Bring on the popcorn.

A giant Greek salad will hold the hunger at bay the way Roberto Luongo can stone the opposition in overtime and it pairs well with Boutari Kretikos 2009 a floral, salty, butter-scented white with a touch of apricot on the nose. We love its fresh, juicy, elegant palate with citrus, butter, floral, quince, peach skin and almond flavours. Kretikos white hails from the island of Crete.

Bleasdale Second Innings Malbec 2009 is a rare Australian variety along the order of a two-goal Canuck lead. Orange peel, cooked boysenberry and spicy, chocolate, tobacco aromas preview a supple, slightly tannic palate with some sweetness. Love the plum jam, spice and savoury, vanilla, coffee, tobacco, boysenberry jam flavours with a dusting of mushrooms in the back end. Hamburgers would be an excellent between-period snack with this red.

Bisquertt Casa La Joya Reserve Merlot 2009 from Valle del Colchagua represents a selection that is reliable and steady. You guessed it, this is my Sedin twins pick, never flashy but smooth and slippery and quietly understated. Just don't serve it on ice. The nose is a mix of minty, bay leaf notes with spicy, resiny, green olive notes. The entry is smooth with savoury, pencil lead, coffee, chocolate notes sprinkled with vanilla. The finish is spicy and warm, but round and complete. Serve this with chicken and vegetable skewers or flank steak.

Okay, there are no fat bastards at this time of the year, but if there is a wiry, skinny one no one wants to play against, it is likely Ryan Kesler, hence our Fat Bastard Shiraz 2008 suggestion from the south of France. The nose has blackberry, licorice root aromas with a savoury note. The palate is juicy with blackberry, smoky, resin, meaty, savoury, spicy, tobacco flavours and supple tannins. Try with grilled meats and tomato sauces. Solid value.

Enjoy the games and as one famous hockey philosopher said, just take them one at a time. Inexpensive, wellmade wines should carry the din of any party.

Surani Pietrariccia Fiano 2009, Salento, Apulia, Italy

Price: $16

UPC: 8007880545708

Score: 87/100

Remarks: Viognier with a squeeze of lemon. Solid value.

Fat Bastard Chardonnay 2008, Languedoc, France

Price: $15

UPC: 3700067800045

Score: 87/100

Remarks: A solid southern French label with a modern twist.

Boutari Kretikos 2009, The Islands, Greece

Price: $13

UPC: 05201022575506

Score: 87/100

Remarks: Kretikos white hails from the island of Crete.

Bleasdale Second Innings Malbec 2009, Langhorne Creek, South Australia

Price: $16

UPC: 09316475001949

Score: 88/100

Remarks: Boysenberry jam and roasted mushrooms.

Bisquertt Casa La Joya Reserve Merlot 2009, Valle del Colchagua, Region del Valle Central, Chile

Price: $16

UPC: 00722902000611

Score: 87/100

Remarks: Savoury, pencil lead, coffee, chocolate notes sprinkled with vanilla.

Fat Bastard Shiraz 2008, Languedoc, France

Price: $16

UPC: 3700067800717

Score: 87/100

Remarks: Light meaty, floral, resin, peppery, blackberry, licorice-flavoured red.