Ice cider
What is ice cider?
Ice cider is a sweet, luscious cider born from the meeting of apples and the natural cold of our winters. It was created in Québec in the early 1990s by Christian Barthomeuf, a winemaker in the Eastern Townships inspired by ice wine: instead of pressing frozen grapes, he had the idea of using apples.
Since 2014, the name Québec Ice Cider has been protected by a Protected Geographical Indication (PGI). To carry it, an ice cider must be made from Québec apples, with its sugars concentrated by natural cold alone. A guarantee of authenticity, from orchard to bottle.
This unique and refined product is now served at the finest tables around the world.
How our ice ciders are made
Since our first batch in 2002, we have been turning fresh apples into nectar in step with the seasons.
Here is each stage of this craft, which takes time, patience and care.
THE HARVEST
Our apples are grown in Québec and picked when ripe.
It all starts in the orchard. We work exclusively with late-season Québec apple varieties, suited to our cold climate: their slow ripening gives them more intense aromas. They are picked in early fall at peak ripeness, then kept cool until the first deep freeze.
Cortland leads our blends, bringing body and depth to the cider. We round it out with other late varieties such as McIntosh, Spartan, Empire, Golden and Russet, adjusting the blend each year to the harvest.
SUGAR CRYOCONCENTRATION
The first big cold spells are exciting times for us!
For most people, deep cold means cozy evenings by the fire. For us, it’s the signal to press! The fresh apple juice is immediately placed outdoors, where it meets the extreme cold of a Québec winter.
It’s a natural method that concentrates the apples’ sugars and aromas using just the cold.
In the cold, the water in the juice turns into ice crystals and separates naturally. Slowly, cold spell after cold spell, the sugars and aromas concentrate at the bottom of the vat. This slow, natural method gives our ice ciders their bold character.
DRAWOFF TIME
The drawoff, a key step in how ice cider is made
At the end of winter, before the thaw melts the ice, comes the drawoff. The concentrated juice flows gently by gravity alone, yielding a must rich in sugars and aromas, without any dilution.
FERMENTATION
Fermentation, the final stage in how ice cider is made
The concentrated juice then ferments for several months in stainless steel tanks, which preserve its full aromatic complexity: from fresh apple to notes of tarte Tatin. The result: a rich, fruity ice cider full of vibrancy.
READY TO ENJOY
18 months: how ice cider is made, from orchard to glass
It takes 18 months, from the first pruning cut in the orchard to the bottle, and no less than 15 pounds of apples for each litre of this precious nectar. Now discover how to enjoy ice cider or our Domaine Pinnacle ice cider.
Ice Cider FAQ
What’s the difference between ice cider and ice wine?
Both rely on natural cold to concentrate sugars and aromas. Ice wine is made from grapes, while ice cider is made from apples. Ice cider was born in Québec in the early 1990s.
How should ice cider be served?
Serve it well chilled, around 5 °C, without ice, in a small white wine glass. Find all our tips on how to enjoy ice cider.
What food goes with ice cider?
It pairs beautifully with foie gras, blue cheese and aged cheddar as an aperitif, and with apple pie or crème brûlée for dessert. It also replaces simple syrup in cocktails.
How long does an open bottle keep?
Tightly recorked and stored in the fridge, a bottle of ice cider keeps for up to 4 weeks.
Why is ice cider sold in small bottles?
It takes about 15 pounds of apples to make just one litre of ice cider. Its concentrated flavour makes it as precious as it is delicious: it’s enjoyed in small amounts, like a dessert wine.
Is ice cider very sweet?
It’s sweet and luscious, but its natural acidity balances the sugar. It’s often described as silky rather than sugary, with notes of baked apple, honey and caramel.
Where can I buy Domaine Pinnacle ice cider?
Domaine Pinnacle ice cider is available in SAQ stores and online at saq.com.