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Magog is a town in Quebec famous for its impressive wineries. With over 616 wineries in Canada, there are so many varieties of wine to try. I visited the award-winning Vignoble Le Cep d’Argent during my winter trip to Magog, and it most certainly lived up to the hype.
About Vignoble Le Cep d’Argent
Brothers François and Jean-Paul Scieur, rooted in the Champagne-Ardenne region of France, bring their family’s winemaking legacy to Quebec with the Sélection sparkling wines range.
Inspired by their upbringing in the family vineyard in Étoges, they’ve crafted acclaimed varieties like the Sélection Blanc de Blancs, the Sélection Brut Nature, and the Sélection Rosée since 2009. Meanwhile, their older brother Michel oversees the renowned Champagne Scieur & Fils.
Le Cep d’Argent winery, born from the collaboration of six men, blends French viticulture expertise with Quebec’s medical background. Founded in 1985 on a picturesque 46-hectare plot overlooking Lake Magog, the winery embodies a dream nurtured by its founders’ mutual passion for winemaking. Since its inception in 1987, Le Cep d’Argent has welcomed visitors to experience its wines.
Since 1991, the Le Cep d’Argent winery owners have passionately celebrated the grape harvest, creating the renowned Magog-Orford Grape Festival. Attracting over 80,000 visitors annually under Jean-Paul’s guidance at Magog’s Pointe Merry.
I hope to visit the Magog-Orford Grape Festival during my next visit!
Visiting Vignoble Le Cep d’Argent
You can visit the winery to do a tasting or book an experience on their website. In order to do a tasting, you will buy a certain amount of coupons, depending on what you want to taste.
Coupons are $1 each, and you can purchase as many or as little as you would like.
There is a board that will break down the cost per wine tasting. High demand or rare wines will be more tickets than others. It’s a fun way to mix and match!
The on-site Wine Expert will explain each wine to you so you know what you want to taste. During your tasting, you will be taught how it’s made and what flavor profiles you will experience.
Selection Blanc de Blancs
Their Selection Blanc de Blancs is one of their most famous wines, winning various awards. Their process to make the Brut is extensive and includes Riddling. This removes the sediment created during secondary fermentation.
At Vignoble Le Cep d’Argent, they manually rotate and tilt the bottles, but modern methods often use automated equipment. The Wine Expert was nice enough to show us where the process takes place at the winery.
It is a sparkling, golden, very dry wine, developed and fermented the traditional way crafted by their vintner. Served chilled, its first pour is smooth and light, with delicate, long-lasting bubbles.
I recommend tasting it during your trip and even purchasing a bottle to bring home with you! I am excited to pop mine open.
Ice Wine
Their Ice Wine was also amazing to try! Made solely from the Vidal variety, it was gathered during the cold nights of winter 2010. Aromas of candied fruit, baked apples, honey, grapefruit, figs, and the Northern fruit is known as cloudberry. A pleasant gourmet freshness in the mouth, round and lingering.
Ice Wines are very sweet and perfect to sip as a dessert. It can be used as an aperitive, which they recommend pairing with figs, Bayonne ham, or foie gras mousse.
Despite its sweetness, I really enjoyed the Ice Wine during our tasting.
Délice du Chai
While they focus more on sparkling and white wines, there is still something for all those red wine lovers. I purchased a bottle of Délice du Chai, which is made with Frontenac Noir, Ste-Croix, Maréchal-Foch et Baco Noir.
This ruby red wine presents aromas of red fruits, vanilla, and flowers. Your taste buds will be enticed with flavors of black cherry, supple tannins, and a long finale.
Rosé du Lac
Their variety of Rosé was also incredible. The Rose du Lac was my favorite; our Wine Expert said it pairs well with Asian dishes, Thai food, or Indian food.
Rosé wine is aromatic, fruity, and dry. Refreshing with aromas of wild raspberry and a pleasant acidity.
We also purchased this bottle, which we enjoyed before our Dinner in Magog.
Where Is Vignoble Le Cep d’Argent?
This winery is located ten minutes from downtown Magog, making it an easy day trip.
When Is Vignoble Le Cep d’Argent Open?
If you are visiting during winter, they are open from 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM on Friday and Saturday. Longer hours begin in late spring and early summer. Check their website for updated availability.
Visiting Vignoble Le Cep d’Argent was one of my favorite activities in Magog. Here are a few of my other picks.
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