In 1971, Wine regressed to batting numbers even worse than 1969, including a career-worst .235 slugging average. Just before Opening Day of the 1972 season, the Expos acquired Tim Foli from the New York Mets, replacing Wine as the starter at shortstop. While he remained with Montreal as a back-up to Foli early in 1972, Wine played very little - he went to bat only 18 times in 34 games - as the more versatile Héctor Torres assumed the role of utility infielder. The Expos released him on July 10, ending his career.