{"id":7030363,"date":"2026-08-06T15:12:11","date_gmt":"2026-08-06T15:12:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/peraltafinancing.com\/uncategorized\/a-new-take-on-quebec-wines-wining-with-mel\/"},"modified":"2026-08-06T15:12:11","modified_gmt":"2026-08-06T15:12:11","slug":"a-new-take-on-quebec-wines-wining-with-mel","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=7030363","title":{"rendered":"A New Take On Quebec Wines \u2013 Wining with Mel"},"content":{"rendered":"


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There\u2019s something really magical about a wine show that feels more like a gathering of friends than an industry event. That was my first impression walking into the Salon des Assoiff\u00e9s on June 27, held in Espace Canevas, Gatineau\u2019s oldest shopping mall turned cultural hub.<\/p>\n

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The event took place in the central hall, a perfect space that felt warm and intimate. Surrounded by a make-shift wall of greenery and lit overhead by string lights, the venue set the tone for an event grounded in supporting the local community, the local environment and local products.<\/p>\n

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Quick selfie before the event got too packed<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

This annual wine show is organized by somms V\u00e9ronique Rivest and Roxanne Mant, who every year bring together their favourite Quebec wine producers and importers from their restaurant, Soif, and their wine bar, La Petite Soif. This wasn\u2019t just a lineup of Quebec wine agents. Instead it felt like an intimate network of good friends inviting you into their world, sharing their very palpable passion for wines from Quebec and beyond.<\/p>\n

Finding Focus<\/strong><\/h2>\n

If there\u2019s one thing I\u2019ve learned from larger-scale tastings like Wine Paris<\/a>, it\u2019s this: without a clear focus, overwhelm is inevitable.<\/p>\n

So this time I came in with a plan.<\/p>\n

It had been a while since I\u2019d explored wines from Quebec, and I wanted to take stock and get a sense of how the wines have evolved. And I was impressed by the diversity I discovered.<\/p>\n

There isn\u2019t just one style here. There is a perfect mix of vitis vinifera <\/em>classic grape varieties and cold-climate hybrid grapes. Grape growing spans traditional, sustainable, organic or biodynamic approaches, while winemaking is just as varied, resulting in wines ranging from classical and conventional to weird and wonderful. With such diversity, there truly is a Quebec wine for everyone.<\/p>\n

For the Traditionalists<\/strong><\/h2>\n

For those who gravitate toward more classic expressions, there are several producers whose wines fit the bill.<\/p>\n

Domaine St-Jacques<\/em><\/strong><\/h3>\n

Established in 2007 and located south of Montreal\u2014one of the province\u2019s warmest viticultural zones\u2014Domaine St-Jacques<\/a> offers its take on the classics.<\/p>\n

I tasted a wide selection of their wines, including a traditional-method sparkling (the Extra Brut Nature is truly delicious), a pinot gris, a pinot noir, a gamay, a super food-friendly orange wine and a fabulous cabernet franc\/syrah blend.<\/p>\n

All organically farmed and family-run, the estate leans heavily on vinifera<\/em> plantings while incorporating some hybrids. The whole selection I tasted demonstrated just how well classic varieties can perform in Quebec under the right conditions.<\/p>\n

Many of their wines are available at the SAQ<\/a> or you can order directly from their website<\/a> (delivery available with a minimum purchase of 12 bottles).<\/p>\n

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Winemaker Luc Rolland holding the wine he is most proud of, the Extra Brut Nature traditional-method sparkling.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

Domaine Polisson<\/em><\/strong><\/h3>\n

Using fruit sourced from Oka, Domaine Polisson<\/a>\u2019s \u201cB\u00e2tard\u201d series blends tradition with sustainability. Former geologist Hugo Grenon always dreamed of becoming a winemaker, and released his first vintage in 2021. Using a minimalist and natural approach, he adds nothing extra to the wines, letting the grapes and terroir<\/a><\/span>Terroir is essentially the geographical, environmental and climatic elements of grape-growing (that allow\u00a0the same grape grown in two different places to make two completely distinct wines). Here is a non-exhaustive… More<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span> speak for themselves.<\/p>\n

The B\u00e2tard Blanc<\/a> is primarily chardonnay with a few hybrids blended in to add different characteristics, while the B\u00e2tard Rouge<\/a> is a gamay\/pinot noir blend. Both available at the SAQ, these wines are decidedly food friendly with their bright acidity<\/a><\/span>Acidity is an important part of a wine\u2019s structure that prevents a wine from being \u201cflabby\u201d. It\u2019s what gives you that tingling sensation on your tongue and makes you salivate…. More<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span> and easy drinkability.<\/p>\n

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Hybrid Grapes and Quebec Wine Identit<\/strong>y<\/h2>\n

While some winemakers are blessed with cooperative climates, others are growing grapes in notoriously difficult conditions. Hybrid grapes were primarily developed to withstand extreme temperatures, drought and disease. Since Quebec is a cold-climate wine region with extreme temperatures in both winter and summer, many Quebec producers have embraced these varieties, planting grapes such as vidal, seyval blanc, marquette, Frontenac (blanc, gris and noir), mar\u00e9chal foch, baco noir, petite pearl, as well as lesser-known hybrids such as St. P\u00e9pin (white) and Lucie Kuhlmann (red). You can read more about the use of hybrids in Eastern Canada in this fascinating article<\/a> by Jacky Blisson, MW.<\/p>\n

Here are some wineries primarily using hybrid grapes.<\/p>\n

Maison Lafont<\/em><\/strong><\/h3>\n

Under the direction of winemaker Isabelle Lafont, this Mont Yamaska-based estate embraces viticulture raisonn\u00e9e<\/em>, a sustainable, thoughtful approach to farming.<\/p>\n

Here, hybrid grapes are the star of the show. Maison Lafont<\/a>\u2018s wines reflect a sense of place that feels distinctly Qu\u00e9b\u00e9cois\u2014less about mimicking Old World benchmarks, and more about defining something new.<\/p>\n

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A selection of Maison Lafont wines (I quite enjoyed the Club Social bubbly made from cayuga grapes)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

Oak Hill<\/em><\/strong><\/h3>\n

Located in Melbourne in the Eastern Townships, Oak Hill Vineyard<\/a> was inspired by a trip to Italy. After falling in love with the natural wines there, Louise and Sylvain Lalonde returned with a simple thought: we could do this<\/em>. What followed, of course, was the realization that despite the tagline of \u201cminimal intervention\u201d, natural wine is still a heck of a lot of work!<\/p>\n

But as it turns out, it\u2019s well worth it: Oak Hill\u2019s wines are energetic, expressive, and delightfully unique.<\/p>\n

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Sylvain and Louise from Domaine Oak Hill<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

Other Great Quebec Wineries to Check Out<\/strong><\/h2>\n

En roue libre<\/em><\/strong><\/h3>\n
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Low-intervention organic wines made by Genevi\u00e8ve Thisdel in the Eastern Townships. I was able to taste the last vintage before she joins forces with\u2026<\/p>\n

Domaine du Nival<\/em><\/a><\/strong><\/h3>\n
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Matthieu Beauchemin. Photo credit: Domaine du Nival<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

Organic wines and ciders by Matthieu Beauchemin pushing the boundaries in the Mont\u00e9r\u00e9gie region.<\/p>\n

Domaine de l\u2019Heure Juste<\/em><\/a><\/strong><\/h3>\n
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Brand new winery crafting impressive natural wines in Papineauville, west of Montebello.<\/p>\n

L\u2019Espi\u00e8gle<\/em><\/a><\/strong><\/h3>\n
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Fantastic sustainable, low-intervention wines that act as expressions of the land in Dunham, Eastern Townships (sidenote: I watched V\u00e9ronique Rivest do a happy dance as she tasted their traditional-method bubbly).<\/p>\n

Domaine Le Grand St. Charles<\/em><\/a><\/strong><\/h3>\n
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Organic wines and ciders made at the foot of Mont Yamaska.<\/p>\n

A Few Delicious Distractions<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Of course, even with the best intentions, I can easily be distracted from my goal.<\/p>\n

A few non-Quebec wines inevitably found their way into my glass. Here are a couple of the standouts:<\/p>\n

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Terroir<\/a><\/span>Terroir is essentially the geographical, environmental and climatic elements of grape-growing (that allow\u00a0the same grape grown in two different places to make two completely distinct wines). Here is a non-exhaustive… More<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span> Inconnu (a deliciously bright and fruity 100% organic grenache) from Les Vignes de l\u2019Arque<\/a> in C\u00e9vennes, south-central France<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

And completely unrelated but just as appreciated, this amazing salmon tartare from La Gasp\u00e9sienne. Wine tasting really works up the appetite!<\/p>\n

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Delicious salmon tartare provided by La Gasp\u00e9sienne<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

Final Thoughts: Time for a Quebec Wine Road Trip<\/strong><\/h2>\n

If this tasting made one thing clear, it\u2019s that Quebec is making a serious name for itself in the winemaking world while keeping environmental sustainability top of mind. It was truly a pleasure to meet with the people behind some of these wines. Their passion is contagious and I think I may have caught the bug!<\/p>\n

The next logical step? Head to the source. Visit the vineyards. Taste the wines where they\u2019re made.<\/p>\n

Because if the Salon des Assoiff\u00e9s is any indication, Quebec\u2019s wine story is still unfolding, and it\u2019s one well worth following.<\/p>\n

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If you are in the Ottawa area and want to try these wines, head to Soif<\/a> or La Petite Soif<\/a> in Gatineau for a truly extraordinary wine experience.<\/p>\n

Lastly, a big thank you to V\u00e9ronique and Roxanne for the invitation to this incredible event!<\/p>\n

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Fun sculpture outside La Petite Soif, sending me on my way as I left the event<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
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