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Papua New GuineaFlavors · Quebec
Sweet cider distilled only from Quebec apples, whose sugar is concentrated by the natural cold of winter. Protected as a geographical indication, it has aromas of fresh and baked apple, honey and dried fruit.
Traditional drink from Quebec
Also known as: Québec Ice cider, cidre de glace, ice cider
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Cidre de glace du Québec — Quebec, Canada
Cidre de glace from Quebec is a sweet, concentrated cider obtained by partial fermentation of apple juice whose sugars were concentrated solely by the natural cold. As a protected geographical indication, production takes place in Quebec using late-harvest apples grown in the province, with no added colorings or flavorings. The beverage can be still or sparkling.
There are two ways to concentrate the sugar. In cryoconcentration, the apples are pressed and the natural winter cold concentrates the sugars in the juice. In cryoextraction, the cold concentrates the sugars in the whole fruit, frozen on the tree or after harvest; when left on the tree, the apples remain there at least until December 1. In any case, pressing occurs between December 1 and March 1.
The geographical indication rules require at least 140 grams of residual sugar per liter and an alcohol content between 9% and 13%, both coming only from the apples’ sugar. Each product undergoes a tasting panel before it may bear the name. The indication was recognized by the government of Quebec on December 30, 2014, and is overseen by the province’s Conseil des appellations réservées (CARTV).
According to the CARTV, the beverage was invented in Quebec and originated from the province’s long orchard traditions, cidermaking, and the use of cold to concentrate sugar; it gained market traction from the 2000s onward. Aromas recall fresh and baked apple, flowers, honey, brown sugar, apricot and fig. Many orchard cidery producers welcome visitors for tastings.
Juice from late-harvest apples grown in Quebec, concentrated by the natural cold of winter. No added colorings or flavorings.
Serve chilled, in small measures, like a dessert wine: pairs with desserts and cheeses, or is served on its own at the end of a meal.
All year round; pressing takes place in winter, between December and March.
Your questions
It is a sweet cider made from Quebec apple juice concentrated by winter cold. The geographical indication requires apples from the province and forbids added colorings and flavorings.
In two ways: the natural cold concentrates the sugar in the juice after pressing, or in the whole apple before pressing. In the second method, the fruit may freeze on the tree or after harvest. Pressing takes place between December and March.
Cidre de glace is made from apples; icewine is made from grapes. In both cases, natural cold concentrates the fruit’s sugar before fermentation.
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