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Five Townships Wines to Savour During the Holidays

Updated on Oct 30, 2023

As you celebrate the end of the year, savour these specially selected wines. Happy Holidays!

By Marc-Antoine Bergeron


Sélection Blanc de Blancs - Le Cep d’argent

Quebec’s cooler climate is propitious for elaborating sparkling wines offering a good acidity, finesse, a low sugar content … and Sélection Blanc de Blancs very well fits this description! Developed with a Seyval blanc grape variety, this wine offers intense citrus aromas and saline, slightly brioched notes. With its rich texture, the bubbles are delicate, light, and long-lasting on the palate.

To be paired with oysters or crunchy snacks, especially as an aperitif. It can also accompany your end of meal platter of goat cheese and nut-based dessert selections.

  • Price: $26.95
  • Available at the vineyard and in certain fine food grocery stores and restaurants.

Frontenac Gris 2021 - Vignoble Gagliano

I love all Gagliano Vineyard wines and it’s hard to choose just one, but since ’tis the season, I’m opting for the most comforting one: the Frontenac Gris 2021. Very aromatic on the nose it offers notes of flowers and stone fruit, such as peaches and apricots. It also offers scents of sweet spices, honey and oak. On the palate you’ll discover a fresh acidity and a round body.

To be paired with oysters, cheese platters and poultry dishes. Dare a little! Try it with a dish of Indian-style butter chicken. You’ll discover its light residual sugar will counter the spicy flavours of this dish, creating the perfect pairing on the palate.

  • Price: $17
  • Available at the vineyard, SAQ and grocery stores

Nous 2021 - Vignoble La Belle Alliance

Now here’s a true Provençal-style rosé for your Quebec cuisine recipes. This wine is mainly assembled with a Marquette grape variety and completed with Frontenac gris. Elaborated following Provençal techniques, it offers an inviting nose bringing to mind wild raspberries and cherry scents. It gives off flowery, herbal, lightly spiced notes as well. On the palate, we discover a rich, smooth texture with a refreshing acidity.

To be paired with trout or salmon dishes. Also delicious with goat cheese or cheese fondues. You could also match it a comforting bouillabaisse, the ideal cold-day pairing.

  • Price: $45
  • Available at the vineyard, grocery stores, and a few restaurants.

Limousin Rouge - Vignoble Côte des Limousins

The word that might best describe Limousin Rouge? Surprising! Did you know that it’s the only Quebec wine carrying these three certifications: Organic, Nature and Quebec IGP! Produced by a newly established vineyard near the Parc National de la Yamaska, this very inviting wine is complex to the nose with aromas of wood, undergrowth, pepper and wild red berries, bringing to mind wild cherries, morello cherries, and wild raspberries. On the palate, it’s very dry and round with light tannins and a fresh acidity on the finish.

To be paired with a meat tartare or venison dish. You’re serving charcuteries and soft cheeses? This red wine is the perfect match.

  • Price: $23.50
  • Available at the SAQ and soon at the vineyard.

Bise d’Automne - Domaine du Ridge

Bise d’Automne is certainly my personal favourite to accompany the end of a meal! Although elaborated with a Vidal grape variety harvested after the first frost, this wine offers a much lower sugar content than ice cuvées. On the nose, we discover aromas of grapefruit, apple and pear compote, along with some notes of nuts. On the palate, we can taste a fine balance between the acidity and the sugar, a rich texture and good length as well.

To be paired with foie gras and veined cheese with a lot of personality! Its acidity will cut through the fat, and its light sugar taste will create a balance with the strong taste of this type of cheese. The cuvée can also be paired with light, fruit-based desserts.

  • Price: $29,89
  • Available at the vineyard and at the SAQ

Marc-Antoine Bergeron

A native resident and true lover of the Eastern Townships, Marc-Antoine has worked in the region’s restaurant business for more than twenty years. His love of the trade has inspired him to perfect his knowledge in sommellerie. Indeed, acquiring a wine expertise has been his passion for several years now, and even prompted him to enter and win the “Battle of the somm 2019” contest. Today, the wine and spirits field has become a full-time occupation for Marc-Antoine. Whether for restaurant businesses or for private sommelier services, he loves to share his knowledge and have people discover new wines. Follow him through his column to learn more about this fascinating world as you learn more about our fabulous local products and producers!
Marc-Antoine's website

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