What is the difference between ice cider and ice wine?
Ice wine is made from grapes naturally frozen on the vine, while ice cider is made from apples or apple juice concentrated by natural cold. In Quebec, protected ice cider needs at least 140 g/l of residual sugar and 9–13% alcohol. Both concentrate the fruit's sugar by natural freezing rather than by adding sugar.
Updated
Key differences
| Ice cider (Cidre de glace du Québec) | Icewine (Canada) | |
|---|---|---|
| Fruit | Apples | Grapes |
| Freezing | Natural cold only: frozen juice (cryoconcentration) or whole frozen fruit, including fruit frozen on the tree (cryoextraction) [1] | Grapes "naturally frozen on the vine" [2] |
| Residual sugar | At least 140 g/l [1] | See the label |
| Alcohol | 9–13% [1] | See the label |
How is each made?
Icewine. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency: "Icewine, ice wine or ice-wine is wine that is made exclusively from grapes naturally frozen on the vine". [2]
Ice cider. Quebec's protected geographical indication allows two methods. In cryoconcentration, the juice is concentrated by natural freezing; in cryoextraction, whole apples frozen naturally, including those left on the tree and picked from 1 December, are pressed. Pressing runs from 1 December to 1 March, and the sugar may be concentrated only by natural cold. [1] The full process is in how ice cider is made, and the guide to ice cider gives an overview.
How do they taste?
BJCP 2025 says the ice cider process "increases not only sugar (and hence, potential alcohol) but also acidity and all fruit flavor components proportionately". [3] Acidity balances the sweetness. Ice cider may be still or sparkling under Quebec rules. [1] For serving temperature and glass, see how to serve ice cider; for the wider comparison, cider vs wine.
Related answers: how ice cider is made · how to serve ice cider
Find it on Cider Radar
- Cider makers in Quebec: 79 makers (as of 2026-10-02).
- Glossary: ice cider · Guide: types of cider
- You can order directly from the maker in Cider Radar (iOS, Android and web).
- Open the map: app.ciderradar.com · iPhone · Android
Cider, perry, calvados and pommeau are alcoholic drinks. Enjoy responsibly and follow the legal drinking age where you live.
Questions
Is ice cider sweeter than ice wine?
Where does ice cider come from?
Can ice wine be made from frozen apples?
Not under the Canadian definition: icewine must be made exclusively from grapes naturally frozen on the vine. [2] The apple equivalent is ice cider.
Sources
- Cidre de glace du Québec (IGP) — CARTV (Conseil des appellations réservées et des termes valorisants, Québec)
- Canadian Standards of Identity: Volume 8 – Icewine — Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA)
- 2025 BJCP Cider Style Guidelines: C2C Ice Cider — BJCP