We are taking advantage of the Quebec National Day weekend to once again emphasize that drinking local products has never been so popular. And that’s no coincidence: local wines, ciders, spirits and even ready-to-drink have never been so accessible and so good! Here are five favorites to help you put Quebec in your drink all summer long.
Drink less. Drink better.
★★★1⁄2 | 14,20 $ (4 x 355 ml) | Canada 4,5 % | 39 g/L
Code SAQ : 14700497
This distillery in Bedford, in the Eastern Townships, imports blue agave from the Jalisco region of Mexico, distills it and makes an excellent spirit, significantly finer than most tequilas on the market. They then blend it with pink grapefruit juice, lime juice, blood orange juice, agave syrup and sparkling water. It’s hard not to fall in love with this deliciously refreshing drink, whose finish crowned with pretty bitters will appeal to lovers of less sweet cocktails.
★★★1⁄2 | $9.50 | Canadian 11% | <1g/L
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Le Colfo from Domaine Bergeville, in the Eastern Townships, is inspired by col fondo, a sparkling wine from Veneto, Italy. Colfo completes its second fermentation in a can and is then sold as is, without filtration or disgorging, like col fondo. The container is practical and the content is excellent! A blend of Riesling (54%), Seyval and Vidal, packed with flavors of ripe fruit, just big enough on the palate, with a fresh acidity that makes your mouth water. Light in alcohol (11%), very dry, more sparkling than sparkling and truly thirst-quenching. He has everything to be loved!
★★★ | $1⁄2 | $16.25 | Canada 12.5% | 1.8g/L
Code SAQ : 10817090
For the past few years, this rosé produced in Saint-Eustache has had a flawless run. Named by Daniel Lalande, owner of the estate, in honor of his daughter, this rosé is a blend of Seyval Noir, Sabrevois, Frontenac Gris 15% and Sainte-Croix. Quite dry and tasty, it offers lovely aromas of apricot and peach. Digestible, fresh, local, original and affordable, it will do wonders with grilled meats or summer salads.
★★★1⁄2 | $$$ | $32.00 | Canadian 12% | 1.5g/L – ORGANIC
Code SAQ : 14473280
This Dunham vineyard continues to distinguish itself with its original wines produced with great care. This is the case with this blend dominated by marquette to which we add Sabrevois, Radisson and Sainte-Croix. The wine is not fined or filtered. No sulphites are added, which makes it, you guessed it, a “natural” wine. And it’s well controlled. Benefiting from aging in medium-toasted French oak barrels, it offers a tantalizing nose of spices and a touch of cocoa. On the palate, the wine shows good fullness, medium-bodied tannins and interesting length.
★★★★ | $57.00 | Canadian 12% | 1.5g/L – ORGANIC
Code SAQ : 13312185
The best absinthe in the world comes from Quebec! In fact, the Fleur Bleue from Absintherie des Cantons was crowned the best absinthe in the world at the World Drinks Awards 2022, a competition featuring the best drinks in the world. Very refreshing and complex, it goes in all directions with its notes of citrus, white flower, mint, fennel, grapefruit peel and tea. Like any absinthe, it “squints” or becomes cloudy like pastis as soon as water is added. It can also be eaten like a pastis, diluted with a little water, or in a cocktail.
Correct ★
Bon★★
Very good★★★
Excellent★★★★
Exceptionnel★★★★★
More stars than dollars: well worth the price
As many stars as dollars: worth its price
Fewer stars than dollars: wine is expensive
