Ice Cider
Slideshow by Janeap1
Ice cider is a new phenomenon that is unique to Quebec. Here is a mosaic of an autumn day spent bottling 700 units of this rich amber-coloured delicacy at La Pommeraie in the Suroît Region of Québec.
1838 views since December 14, 2008.
Get a link button for this slideshow »
Make and share your own slideshow »
1 of 33
La Pommeraie
In southern Quebec, near the New York state border, in the region known as le Suro�t are rolling hills, vinyards and orchards. This is where our adventure begins at La Pommeraie du Sur�it.
Photo by janeap1
6 of 33
a basket of ice cider
Inspired by the ice wine process, ice cider is a uniquely Quebecois product, made from the concentrated nectar of frozen apples. This concentrate is separated from the crystalized water around it, yielding a rich amber-coloured delicacy that reaches an alcohol level of 12% after the fermentation process.
Photo by janeap1
7 of 33
in the apple orchard
Many varieties of dwarf apple trees grow in the orchard.
Photo by janeap1
8 of 33
apple trees
Apples from the Macintosh, Empire and Spartan trees must be picked in late fall because the fruit will not stay on the trees once it becomes frozen.
Photo by janeap1
9 of 33
Empire apples
Other varieties are left on the trees until December so that the sun and wind can help them develop a spicy flavour.
Photo by janeap1
10 of 33
equipment in the orchard
When the temperature drops to 5C, these apples are harvested and pressed immediately.
Photo by janeap1
11 of 33
crates of apples in the fridge
The apples that were picked in October are kept in an enormous refrigerator to prevent them from ripening too quickly. They will be pressed in January.
Photo by janeap1
12 of 33
the oven--for warming socks
Inside the farmhouse, it's nice to get warm by the stove.
Photo by janeap1
13 of 33
the bottling crew
On this day in late October, a crew of four intrepid educators set about to bottle some 700 units of ice cider.
Photo by janeap1
14 of 33
bottles to be filled
All of these bottles will be filled by the end of the day. Each bottle of cider is made from about 80 apples.
Photo by janeap1
18 of 33
a barrel full of fermented cider
The pressed cider has been fermenting since last winter,
Photo by janeap1
22 of 33
the bottling machine
Where the bottler carefully places and fills the bottles.
Photo by janeap1
23 of 33
filling bottles
Remember, each bottle contains the juice of 80 apples, so the bottler must not waste any of this precious liquid gold!
Photo by janeap1
27 of 33
the corking machine
We needed a quick lesson on how to operate the corking machine,
Photo by janeap1
31 of 33
the fruits of our labour
And here are the 700 bottles we filled that day. The next step will be to put the labels on.
Photo by janeap1