LCBO Food & Drink Autumn 2021

Stewards of the land Many farm-based cideries are certified organic, most partner with beekeeping collectives to foster productive hives and all hand-pick every apple off the tree or ground, making the most of every harvest.

Farm ciders From breezy orchards on the shores of Lake Huron to sunny, bountiful groves in Prince Edward County, Ontario’s farm cideries are hard-working family-run operations that plant and pick the fruit they put into each glass. This gives producers the oppor- tunity to plant heirloom and cider apples, making beverages that showcase a unique taste of place.

Bubbly, dry farmhouse- style ciders cut through earthy, creamy vegetable pot pies.

Lost Orchard Project Mark and Courtney Skinner of Windswept Cider are on a mission to save the “lost orchards” around Meaford, Ont. Their Lost Orchard Cider, available in LCBO stores this past summer, is made by pick- ing apples from wild heirloom orchards that would otherwise be left to decompose.

Spirit Tree This picturesque Caledon, Ont., cidery is one of the greenest beverage producers in the country. Its straw-bale construction requires half the energy of a traditional home to heat and cool (all done by renewable geothermal energy), and wildflowers and long grass grow between the apple trees, making for bumblebee-friendly orchards.

Roasted Butternut Squash & Mushroom Pie with Cheddar Pastry Find the recipe at lcbo.com/fdautumn21

Geothermal Goodness Spy’s farm and ciderhouse in the Blue Mountains, Ont., are certified organic. Plus, the facility is heat- ed by geothermal power, which draws out natural heat stored deep in the earth, keeping the tanks at a chilly -1°C, making for a clean, crisp cider.

Spy Cider House Golden Eye Cider LCBO 11674, 473 mL, $3.50 Wet stone, tea leaf and peach aromas lead to a zingy stone-fruit sip in this dry, mineral-driven cider from a geothermal-­ powered certified organic farm.

Duntroon Cyder House Standing Rock LCBO 572594, 473 mL, $3.50 Jasmine and stone fruit mark the nose of this expertly produced cider from Duntroon Cyder on their farm just south of Collingwood, Ont.

LOST ORCHARD IMAGE BY JESSICA CRANDLEMIRE @LIGHTANDSHADOWPHOTO; SPIRIT TREE BY JULIE BROADBENT PHOTOGRAPHY; GEOTHERMAL GOODNESS COURTESY OF SPY CIDER HOUSE AND DISTILLERY

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AUTUMN 2021 FOOD & DRINK