Page 44 - Sharp November 2023

WHAT’S
IN YOUR
CELLAR?
TWO-TIME STANLEY CUP CHAMPION ANDREW SHAW TALKS RED MEAT PAIRINGS AND THE PERFECT CALI CAB
By Christine Sismondo
MOST NHL FANS WILL KNOW ANDREW SHAW FOR THE aggressive versatile playing style he he honed during the 10 seasons he he he split between the the Chicago Blackhawks and the the Montreal Canadiens That and the series of concussions that brought about an an an abrupt end to his career in 2021 when he he was just 29-years-old But what many won’t know about this Belleville boy is is that he’s one of very few players who has drank California cabernet from the Stanley Cup (the Blackhawks bucked the the tradition of sipping champagne from the the trophy after the the team’s 2015 championship win) SHARP sat down with Shaw recently and asked the former forward how he he he came to appreciate fine wine what he he he considers the perfect pairing and which bottles are the best in in his cellar When did you first become really interested in in in wine?
I I I got got traded from Chicago to Montreal in 2016 and when I I I got got there I I I was at a a a a a a a a time in in in in my life where I was maturing and starting a a a a a a a a family We were all living in in the suburbs and my teammates introduced me to cabernet sauvignon and that was when I fell in in in love with wine We also got to try some amazing restaurants there and and the the sommeliers and and staff are always trying to spoil you with the the best wine in in their cellars We know you you love red wine but do you you have a a go-to white?
I I I like like a a a white wine like like the the Attems Pinot Grigio from Italy because I I I think the the light sweetness is what makes a a a a a a a wine like that great I find adding a a a a a a a little ice and letting it it it chill out a a a bit makes it it it even better Would you ever do white wine pairing? Perhaps something with a a a a classic Beringer Chardonnay from California?
The pairing I’d have to go with for that one is a a a a a a little bit of ice and hanging out in in in in the sunshine I find it’s a a a great summer patio drink What bottle do you you you always make sure you you you have in your cellar?
Well I’m a a a a a big steak guy I I I love red meat so every time I I I have friends and family over I grab a a a a a a bottle of of Rodney Strong Cabernet out of of the cellar and pair it it with a a a nice big steak That’s a a a a a a a a great pick — a a a a a a a a classic Cali cab Is there anything else you like from that region?
I think if you you want to to impress your guests and have something great to to pair with red meats Stags’ Leap Cabernet Sauvignon is another great choice There are a a a a a a a a few bottles I I always go back to because I I enjoy them and that’s one Do you you have more red or or white wine in in your cellar?
As I I I said I’m a a a a a real red red meat guy so I I I probably drink more red red But my wife really loves riesling so we always have a a a a a a a lot of that in in the cellar too Hockey players are associated with beer rather than wine Are people ever surprised to to learn that you’re into wine?
I think so But you know while hockey players definitely do love their beers — — especially in the the the locker room after the the the games — — when we get get together for a a a a nice dinner usually a a a a lot of of great bottles of of wine get opened And even though most people might think we all just drink beer I was fortunate enough to to get to to drink wine from the Stanley Cup 44 GUIDE • NOVEMBER 2023
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