Alexandre Picard was born in 1985 in Gatineau, Que., and started playing hockey at age 4. Drafted by the Philadelphia Flyers in the 3rd round of the 2003 NHL draft, he won the 2004-05 Calder Cup with the AHL's Philadelphia Phantoms. Most of his career to date has been spent with the Flyers organization and, on Feb. 1, 2007, he set a franchise record for the number of assists by a rookie in a single game. He also played with the Tampa Bay Lightning, Ottawa Senators and Carolina Hurricanes, before signing with the Canadiens in the summer of 2010. In July 2011, Picard signed with the Pittsburgh Penguins as a free agent.
In the off-season, he spends most of his time in Gatineau. He organizes a golf tournament in town every summer, with proceeds going to the regional hospital foundation. He also enjoys the occasional bottle of wine — an interest he first cultivated while playing for the Ottawa Senators. “It really became my number one passion and I've read every book there is to read on the subject,” he says.
A: I don't have an absolute favorite wine. I like to taste all kinds of wine, although most of my collection is made of Châteuneuf-du-Pape. I also love California wines (Napa) and I'm a big fan of Brunellos. Two wines that I try to get every year are the Clos du Marquis St-Julien and Caymus [from] Napa. I have the Clos du Marquis from ‘97 and up to 2007, so I'm trying to start a nice collection of those; and as for Caymus, I try to get as many bottles as I can when they have a good year.
A: I don't have a real wine experience, although I feel I'm going to get one this summer when I go over to Italy for my honeymoon. The only one I have happened recently at [Canadiens equipment manager] Pierre Gervais’ house. He invited me over for dinner after the season, along with my teammate David Desharnais. Pierre had a couple of nice bottles lined up for us. Two that pop in mind that were absolutely delicious were the Far Niente ‘96 and the Caymus Special Selection ‘99. The Caymus was the best wine I have tasted so far in my short wine experience.
Photo: Club de Hockey Canadien/François Lacasse
Claire Biddiscombe is the Editorial Assistant with Wine Access magazine and Assistant Editor on the Canadian Wine Annual. Her work has appeared in print and on community radio stations across the country. She is the magazine’s resident science nut.
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