How to Visit Quebec's Monteregie Cider Route
The Monteregie region is a sizeable area snuggled within the hillsides of southern Montreal. Although known for its historical significance and agriculture, it is especially renowned for its apple orchards and cider. This inspired the creation of the Cider Route, or La Route des Cidres. The 185-mile (298 km) route boasts a number of cider houses and apple orchards, not to mention the beautiful scenery you'll enjoy along the way. Read on to learn more.
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Instructions
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Visit the Route in spring, summer or autumn, when the cider houses are open and the weather is still mild.
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Plan to take your trip in May, when the apple trees blossom, to maximize the beauty of your Canadian adventure. Or, if you are more of a fall person, go in the autumn to admire the golden leaves while snacking on a golden apple.
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Sample your way from one cider house to the next along the Route, taking advantage of the free samples that the cider houses offer. Through the villages of Hemmingford, Rougemont and Mont-Saint-Hilaire, to name a few, you can experience the many "cidreries" and sample some of the finest ciders Montreal has to offer.
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Try as many as you can of the 60 varieties of cider produced each year, including sparkling cider and the local specialty, ice cider.
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Take a tour of the cider houses when available. Many cider houses offer the opportunity to incorporate a tour into your cider tastings, giving you the chance to learn more about the local history and the processes involved in making cider.
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End your day of cider sampling by spending the night at one of the region's cozy bed and breakfasts or four-star hotels. Campgrounds are also available for those travelers who are feeling a bit more adventurous.
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Spend a day picking your own apples at one of the region's many apple orchards. What better way to enjoy the bounty of the apple harvest than to pluck your own fresh apples right from the tree?
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Round off your trip by taking the opportunity to enjoy some of the other local culinary specialties. Locally produced cheeses, chocolates, wines, beers, as well as other regional artisan products will provide the perfect complement to the apple cider.
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Tips & Warnings
This region is also famous for its sugar shacks, so consider touring one while in the area.
