Canadian Ice Cider
Globe and Mail has an article showcasing ice cider from Quebec. This rare Canadian treat here is showing up in French restaurants and has been featured in The LA Times, The NY Times Style, and Playboy. I haven’t seen it in any stores around here, but I’m definitely going to ask about it the next time I’m at a decent wine shop.
Ice cider is a uniquely Canadian response ice wine, which was originally developed in Germany. “Blessed” with cold weather early in the year, Canadian orchards have taken to picking frozen apples and pressing them for cider. The cider weighs in at 12% ABV and works well as a dessert drink or pairs with foie gras, blue cheese, and toasted walnuts.
Of course, you won’t be doing much sniffing and tasting with cider, since it very obviously comes from apples and lacks the range that comes from grapes. However, they say that it “often evokes complementary nuances of vanilla, honey and woodsy oak.”
Personally, I’m looking forward to my first tasting.
