Food & Drink

Vieauqc TeamYesterdayMontreal

Food & Drink

Quebec Wine & Cider Fair 2026: Taste the Terroir Before Fall

August 8–9 at Jean-Talon Market, a free event to discover local drinks.

As fall approaches, Quebec celebrates its drink producers. A good starting point for a curious newcomer: the Quebec Wine & Cider Fair, which opens the terroir season at Jean-Talon Market. The event. According to the Public Markets of Montreal program, the Quebec Wine & Cider Fair takes place on August 8 and 9, 2026 at Jean-Talon Market, Saturday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. There you meet local winemakers and cider makers who present their products directly to the public. Why go. Cider is a Quebec emblem, tied to the Montérégie apples harvested in the fall. Quebec wines, long overlooked, keep gaining in quality. The fair is a chance to discover these products, ask questions, and understand what "buy local" means in your glass. After the fair. The terroir season continues in September. The Montreal public markets also announce Quebec's Open Farm Day on September 13, 2026 at Atwater Market — a fitting follow-up to see where local food and drink come from. Check the details on the official site, since the program changes. What it costs. Entry to the market is free. Tastings may cost money depending on the stall, so bring a little cash if you want to sample, and drink responsibly. Good to know for newcomers. In Quebec, alcohol is sold mainly at the SAQ (the provincial retailer) and, for beer and some wines, at grocery and convenience stores. An…

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Vieauqc TeamYesterday

Food & Drink

Quebec's Public Markets: A Newcomer's Guide

Jean-Talon, Atwater, Vieux-Port: how to shop local, fresh, and often cheaper in season.

Public markets are part of everyday food life in Quebec. For a newcomer, they're perfect places to discover local products, talk with the growers, and often pay less than at the grocery store when a fruit or vegetable is in full season. The big markets. In Montreal, the Jean-Talon and Atwater markets are the best known, with stalls of vegetable growers, cheesemakers and bakers. In Quebec City, the Grand Marché and the Old Port market play the same role. These are covered and outdoor spaces where you walk around freely, with no obligation to buy. The season. The outdoor stalls are at their best from late spring to fall. According to the Public Markets of Montreal, the seasonal grower locations run from May to October 2026. That's when local supply is most abundant and most affordable: strawberries and asparagus in spring, tomatoes and corn in summer, squash and apples in fall. How it works. You buy directly from the grower or vendor. Prices aren't always posted by the gram the way they are at the grocery store — don't hesitate to ask. Paying cash is still common at small stalls, though many accept cards. Compare from one stall to the next before you buy. The smart move. Buy what's in season: it's fresher, tastier and often cheaper. Late in the day, some vendors drop their prices to clear ripe produce. Bring your own bags. Good to know for newcomers. The market isn't only a…

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Vieauqc TeamYesterday

Food & Drink

Apple Season 2026: Family Apple-Picking Near Montreal

Apple season arrives this fall — an affordable outing less than an hour from Montreal.

Every fall, thousands of Quebec families hit the road to the orchards. If you've just arrived, apple-picking is one of the simplest and cheapest ways to discover the countryside here. The season. It usually starts in late August and runs through October, sometimes into early November depending on the variety. The heart of the picking season is September and October, when the earliest apples (Paula Red, Lobo) give way to the famous McIntosh and the juicy Honeycrisp. Rougemont's orchard belt — profiled by the local tourism office — is the best-known destination. Always check the orchard's website before leaving: dates shift year to year with the weather. Where to go. Montérégie, southeast of Montreal, is Quebec's apple capital. Rougemont, Mont-Saint-Hilaire and Oka hold dozens of orchards 45 minutes to an hour from the city. Many are reachable by car, and some also offer cider, maple taffy and picnic areas. The cost. Self-picking is charged by weight or by the bag. Prices vary by orchard and variety, so compare before choosing — call or check the grower's site, because there's no single rate across the province. Plan to pay by card or cash on the way out. How it works. You get a bag or basket at the entrance, staff point you to the open rows, and you pick the apples yourself. Wear good shoes, bring water, and don't crush the apples that have fallen to the ground. Pick an…

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