‘Something pretty special’: N.S. cider appellation is a first in Canada

Poet Comeau, owner of Lake City Cider, discusses Red Sky, Canada’s first cider appellation.

The Nova Scotia Cider Association has launched Canada’s first cider appellation called “Red Sky.”

Poet Comeau, the owner of Lake City Cider and president of the Nova Scotia Cider Association, said the cider showcases the high quality of apples grown in the province.

“I think it’s just about looking at what we have here in Nova Scotia and realizing that it’s something pretty special,” said Comeau in an interview with CTV’s Todd Battis on Friday.

“Red sky at night, sailors’ delight. Red sky in the morning, sailors take warning. It’s just that connection to where we are and how unique Nova Scotia is.”

Comeau said a cider can only be recognized as a “Red Sky” if it meets certain standards.

“There’s quality control, there’s a blank tasting and you need to submit samples for the blind tasting to get though the qualifications. There are even things around sugar levels, acid levels, and you need to have a blend of apples and not one particular type.”

There are currently nine qualifying ciders available across the province, said Comeau, with all of them being available at the NSLC around the end of August for a short period of time.

Reducing interprovincial trade barriers

With provinces changing rules around importing and exporting alcohol across the country, Comeau said it’s important that Canadian products are being consumed by Canadians.

“I think that the best products that are made in Canada should be enjoyed by Canadians,” she said.

“It’s going to take a little bit of time and reworking just because we are used to the way things used to work, but I think the idea about reducing some of those barriers is really about getting great products across Canada.”

Comeau said ciders are different from other products as apples cannot grow in every climate.

“Apples don’t grow everywhere. I think it makes our product a little more unique. It does create opportunities and markets where maybe they don’t have cideries. I think a great way to promote something like “Red Sky” is with that restaurant experience and pairing it with food and enjoying it with others.”

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