Domaine Leduc-Piedimonte, Cidre de Glace, 2011 (37.5cl)

'One-Liner'
A beautifully concentrated Québec ice cider, layered with baked apple, honey and candied orange – richly sweet, yet sharpened by vivid acidity and a long, refreshing finish.

Tasting Note
Deep golden amber in colour, with ripe apple, orange zest and honey joined by touches of vanilla, gentle spice and a faint mineral note. The palate is smooth and intensely concentrated, unfolding with apple preserve, candied citrus and warming spice, while bright acidity prevents the sweetness from becoming heavy. Rich yet wonderfully lively, it finishes long and clean, with lingering orange, honey and fresh apple.

Country: Canada
Region: Québec 
Sub-Region: Rougemont, Montérégie
Grape(s): 60% Spartan apples, 40% Empire apples
ABV: 13%
Friendly: n/a

Awards & Critics' Scores
n/a

The Story
Domaine Leduc-Piedimonte is owned by Robert McKeown and Andrée St-Denis and sits in Rougemont, one of Québec’s most important apple-growing areas. Its orchard contains more than 3,000 trees, with the domaine taking its name from the maternal sides of both families. For this 2011 ice cider, Spartan and Empire apple juice was concentrated by Québec’s natural winter cold before undergoing a slow, cool fermentation lasting between four and six months. Fermentation stopped naturally with a considerable amount of sugar still remaining, and the cider was then matured for at least two years without oak, preserving its bright fruit while allowing its sweetness, acidity and spice to settle into balance.

Perfect With... (click me for the recipe)
- Meat/fish: Pork and apple terrine with mustard and cornichons
- Vegetarian: Walnut tart
- Vegan: Maple-roasted pears with pecans and oat crumble