Wine Blogging Wednesday 55: North vs South – a bipolar roundup

It’s always fascinating to see the many ways people can interpret a proposition. So what did the participants in the 55th Wine Blogging Wednesday make of this idea of confronting North vs South?

From Michigan Riesling to Tasmania Pinot Noir, from Spanish Garnacha to Tennessee Chambourcin, there sure were a lot of possible pairings (and threesomes, and foursomes) put together by the 33 participants who took up the challenge. Three of those, I’m happy to say, were first timers in the world of Wine Blogging Wednesday (this one, this one and this one), showing how the concept is still going strong and breaking new ground.

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An ice cider extravaganza

I just learned this afternoon that Rougemont, Quebec’s apple capital, is hosting the very first Mondial des cidres de glace (the World ice cider gathering, more or less) this very weekend. Interesting that it is called a “Mondial”, since ice cider production is essentially limited to Quebec itself. Mind you, this apple equivalent of ice wine is indeed a great gift of Quebec to the world. A really great invention, with all sorts of nuances that can be discovered and compared particularly well during the event.

Some 17 producers are taking part, and a whole bunch of cheesemakers as well. A match made in heaven, and showcased in part outside in the cold that allows Quebec to be the world capital of that winter-wrought beverage. Indeed, the producers will be showcasing their ciders on bars built out of ice – but don’t worry, you can go inside to warm up whenever you want.