Quebec winegrowers will now be able to recover the skins of their grapes to make piquette. The Legault government has just authorized the production of this drink by modifying an old regulation that has become “obsolete”, according to the minister responsible for the file, Lucie Lecours.
In interview with Press, the Minister for the Economy confirmed a regulatory change eagerly awaited by the Quebec wine industry.
“In recent months, we have been discovering and rediscovering the products of Quebec winegrowers,” notes Minister Lecours. The picket will allow them to develop a new production. ”
The word “piquette” has long been associated with poor quality wine. However, this drink has regained its letters of nobility in recent years. It is made by adding water to the grape pomace, or the skin of already squeezed fruit. Everything is then fermented and sometimes flavored to make a low alcohol drink.
The new regulation also specifies that the picket must contain 1.5% to 7% alcohol. Unlike wine, added ingredients must be listed on the label.
It allows to reuse a production [le marc de raisin] which was no longer used by artisanal producers. This makes it possible to reduce the production costs of all the products of a winemaker.
Lucie Lecours, Minister for the Economy
The picket is very successful in other wine-growing regions of Canada, where its production is permitted. But other places still prohibit it, in particular the land of wine, France.
In addition to allowing Quebec winegrowers to diversify their offer, the regulatory change will correct inequities, notes Minister Lecours. Indeed, the law already allowed industrial alcohol producers to make wine-based drinks, but winegrowers could not do the same with their own production.
“There was a certain inconsistency,” agrees the minister.
The change is effective immediately. This means that the winegrowers will be able to produce piquette as of this year.
The announcement is timely, as the vast majority of Quebec vineyards have just completed the harvest. Many winegrowers had also kept the skins in the hope that Quebec would authorize the production of piquette.
The owner of the Fragments vineyard in Outaouais, Hélène Éthier, is jubilant. She had been campaigning for two years for the legalization of picketing. She is delighted that the Legault government acted so quickly, when her harvest this year is smaller than she hoped.
“We won’t hide it, we have very good grape quality this year, but with the frost, we have a loss in terms of quantity,” says the winegrower. It’s fun to know that we are going to be able to pick up the piquette. This is one more product that we can offer. “
Quebecers will be able to get their hands on the first pickets in the spring.