Try five cider houses for a delicious tasting experience
Apple-tizing Quebec: A Guide to Artisanal Cider Producers
Dive into the world of Quebec's artisanal cider makers, who are masterfully crafting unique, delectable drinks with a focus on traditional techniques and local produce. Join us as we take a tantalizing tour through the regional favorites, each highlighting its own inimitable approaches and offerings.
1. Aura Mediocritas
Frelighsburg
Nestled amongst thirty cideries without their own orchards, Aura Mediocritas is a gem that gathers wild apples from surrounding landowners. Alexandre Lesous and partner Thomas McDonough carefully select their apples, which are then submerged under thin layers of ice and allowed to develop a "brown cap" before the fermentation process takes place.
Featuring Products: Pommette 2023 - Partially made from carbonic maceration Dolgo crabapples; Sauvage 2023 - Produced from wild apples.
2. The Time Capsule
Franklin
If you're inclined to treat cider as more of a fine wine, you'll delight in Matthiew Quinn's approach at The Time Capsule. Equipped with cooling tanks, cider fermentation can take place without the danger of oxidation, resulting in a selection that's elegant and suitable for all occasions.
Featuring Products: Ode to Summer - A refreshing blend of both apple and pear; Hopped Cider - Infused with rose and lychee accents, featuring a captivating fusion of cider, beer, and gewürztraminer elements.
3. Ferme cidricole Équinoxe
Farnham
At Ferme cidricole Équinoxe, co-owner Marc-Antoine Arsenault-Chiasson and his team believe in the power of expression, working in harmony with nature as they utilize fruits from their farm to create complex, harmonious ciders. Their still cider with pears and honey is particularly remarkable, as it complements steaks, risottos, and grilled poultry.
Featuring Products: Éclipse Ice Cider - Macerated with grape skins; Ballade - Crafted using strawberries from Ferme La Ricardière.
4. Jus sec
Waterloo
Newcomers to the scene, Jeremy Viens and Tania Cyr's Jus sec offers an innovative selection of barrel-aged, spontaneously fermented ciders. With a small workshop (a mere 800 square feet!), Jus sec is brimming with experimental ideas, often collaborating with other cider producers.
Featuring Products: Barbara - Rhubarb-infused cider; Incarnat - Raspberry-infused cider, aged in rye whiskey barrels from Distillerie du St. Laurent.
5. Cidrerie Verger Bilodeau
Orleans Island
Boasting thirty years of history on Orleans Island, Cidrerie Verger Bilodeau enchants with its diverse portfolio of alcoholic ciders, fruit aperitifs, and émental cheese. Notable offerings include L'Effervescent, with cassis and apple aromas, and Ice Cider Special Cuvee, aged in barrels for over three years.
Featuring Products: L'Effervescent - Sparkling cider with cassis and apple aromas; Ice Cider Special Cuvee - Aged for over three years, with notes of ripe apples, fruity, and velvety.
From the vine to the glass, Quebec's artisanal cider scene flourishes with distinct flavors, capturing the hearts and taste buds of wine and cider enthusiasts alike. As you delve into these unique producers’ offerings, you'll undoubtedly find a cider that speaks to your palate and soul. Cheers!
- The unique approach of Aura Mediocritas in Frelighsburg, sourcing wild apples for crafting their artisanal ciders, could make a perfect pairing for a sustainable, local-focused lifestyle.
- For fashion-and-beauty enthusiasts seeking an exquisite beverage to complement their evening wear, The Time Capsule's Ode to Summer in Franklin, an elegant blend of both apple and pear, would be an excellent choice.
- Home-and-garden enthusiasts may find harmony in the products from Ferme cidricole Équinoxe in Farnham, where the belief in expression through cider-making is evident, with their pear and honey still cider a great choice for complementing a meal prepared from global-cuisines.
- Travelers embarking on food-and-drink focused vacations would be intrigued by the innovative creations of Jus sec in Waterloo, including the barrel-aged, raspberry-infused Incarnat, which would add an exciting twist to any culinary adventure.
- Cider lovers visiting Quebec's wine regions could find a memorable keepsake at Cidrerie Verger Bilodeau on Orleans Island, with their aged Ice Cider Special Cuvee offering a velvety, fruity taste that's reminiscent of a fine wine, perfect for savoring and sharing.
