Mondial des Cidres SAQ 2020 | Cider Tasting Weekend Returns
The Mondial des Cidres SAQ is back for a 13th edition to be held from February 28 to March 1 at the Grande-Place of Complexe Desjardins in downtown Montreal, in the heart of the Quartier des Spectacles.
Presented by the Société des alcools du Québec (SAQ) and overseen by Cidre du Québec as part of the Montréal en lumière festival, the event will be the ideal opportunity to discover cider in all its variations – efferverscent, fire, ice, rosé and still – and its many gourmet pairings.
This new edition will offer a program as festive as that of recent years. Constantly renewing its offer, the event will welcome several cider producers who will amaze guests with the quality and variety of cider products found in Québec.
The event will also give way to Montreal gastronomy, where guest chef Mélodie Momy from Épicerie urbaine Masson will have the task of revealing unexpected marriages between her subtly flavored bites and homegrown ciders.
Here are the highlights of this 13th edition:
Espace SAQ Origine Québec
During the two weeks preceding the event, as part of Montréal en lumière, amateurs and enthusiasts of discoveries will have a taste of Mondial des Cidres SAQ at Espace SAQ Origine Québec on Place des Festivals where ciders will be in the spotlight.
Chic, Le Cidre! Evening
Friday, February 28, from 6PM to 9PM, visitors will be invited to a chic and glamorous evening. Guests can enjoy sparkling ciders and gourmet bites with the warm and fiery voice of the talented singer Sarah Dagenais-Hakim as a backdrop.
Nuit Blanche
On Saturday February 29, from 9PM to midnight, the traditional Nuit blanche à Montréal will invite visitors to have fun in a very festive atmosphere and see how the magic of cider can light up the night. Admission fee to the All-Nighter will be reduced from 9PM. This year, DJ Abeille will be able to electrify the crowd to the rhythm of his mixes of electronic music and hip-hop with a hint of hits from the 80s and 90s that are her trademark.
Brunch
On Sunday March 1, tables around the fountain in the Grande-Place will welcome 100 lucky people who will take part in a tapas feast — expressly prepared by guest chef Mélodie Momy from Épicerie urbaine Masson — that you can enjoy with a cider-based mimosa.
Several elements well known to the general public will also return this year:
- Espace gourmand: A guest chef will delight visitors by presenting them with a grilled cheese station throughout the weekend. The cheeses and local products will once again delight visitors with a varied selection to pair with their favorite ciders;
- IGP Ice Cider Stand: Visitors can participate in a game to deepen their knowledge and win tastings;
- Espace SAQ Origine Québec: Where you can taste ciders and cider cocktails;
- Espace détente Éduc’alcool: Visitors can rest for a while in a place where there will be sofas, chairs and water fountains;
- Académie de cidre: Dynamic 30-minute tasting sprints and conferences will be led by a cider producer to 50 visitors.
Here is what you need to know about Mondial des Cidres SAQ 2020:
Date and Time:
Friday February 28: 5PM – 9PM
Saturday February 29: Noon to Midnight
Sunday March 1: 11AM – 4PM
Location: Complexe Desjardins | 150 Rue Sainte-Catherine O, Montréal, QC H2X 3Y2
Website: mondialdescidres.com
Facebook: @mondialdescidresSAQ
Instagram: @mondialcidres
Photo credit: Mondial des Cidres SAQ
P.S. If you want to know more about cider, check out the myth-busting exposé we did in collaboration with McKeown Cider!
