What's up in the Eastern Townships of Quebec?

Autumn in the Eastern Townships arrives in a blaze of color and activity with Duck, wine and good cheer! From the beginning of September to the end of October, visitors can enjoy a wide choice of gastronomic treats, showcasing the agricultural and wine products of this scenic region of southern Québec. By following the « Route des Vins », a themed wine route, vacationers can enjoy the attractions along the way, revelling in the glorious colors of fall.

Duck
This year’s duck festival will highlight the talents of the region’s chefs, 27 of whom will rise to the challenge of creating duck dishes that are paired up with apples and apple products – everything from plain country fare flavored with apple vinegar, to more fancy creations marinated in iced cider, a delicious dessert wine produced in the Eastern Townships.

The chefs, whose creativity knows no bounds, will whip up gourmet dishes that highlight the specialties from their corner of the region – cheese from the abbey of Saint-Benoît-du-Lac; bison from Lac Megantic; venison from Highwater; trout from des Bobines and lamb from Compton. The list goes on….

Wine
Throughout September and October, wine and wine products will be showcased in the Eastern Townships. Activities kick off in grand style, with the 11th Fête des Vendanges Magog-Orford (Magog-Orford’s Grape Harvest Festival), held over two consecutive weekends, during which visitors can learn all about the new wines that are being produced in the region and at the same time, sample the regional produce. Two grand evening balls are among the highlights of the festival. The first ball, to be held on opening night (September 3) has a medieval theme. The second (September 11) will feature traditional dance music.

Once the festival is over, the vitners head for the fields to harvest the grapes, in order to prepare for the next batch of wines. During the harvest season, the vineyards open their doors to wine-lovers who can drop by to watch the winemakers at work and more importantly, taste some of their products! A unique package ( Vivez l’expérience des vendanges ) gives wine lovers a behind-the-scenes look at how grapes are processed - a hands-on experience of how to create the nectar of the gods. For further information, visit : www.brome-missisquoi.ca.

In 2004, the Route des Vins (Wine Route) will be enlivened with art and culture. Activities centred around the vineyards include al fresco picnics, story telling evenings, sculpture exhibitions, painting workshops and visits to artists’ studios. During the past decade, each wine grower has developed distinctive techniques and tastes and each vineyard is a little different from the next.

Agritourism Routes
Seven routes, embracing 56 agritourism enterprises, marketed under the banner Au gré des champs (roughly translated as « Meandering through the countryside ») offer guided visits (some by reservation only). At some establishments, visitors can also pick their own fruit and vegetables and sample local produce. Foodies can chose from a wide range of delicious offerings – wine, apple and dairy products and meats (including game). Then there are the sweet delights made from maple and honey (as well as other bee products) and flowers and floral products.

The routes have been laid out around scenic roads – many offering panoramic views – in regions such as Val-Saint-François, Asbestos, Région de Mégantic, Haut-Saint-François, Memphrémagog, Coaticook and Brome-Missisquoi. Descriptive flyers (with maps) cover each route, with information about each enterprise, driving distances and picnic areas where you can relax and sample the regional products. It’s easy to find the farms. Idenfication panels bearing the Au gré des champs logo have been erected in front of the 56 participating agritourism establishments. Visitors will love the warm welcome from the farmer hosts!

and Good Cheer…
Tourisme Cantons-de-l’Est guarantees that vacationers will have a terrific time this fall – not least because the region is staging more than 40 lively events, each one more colorful than the next. Visitors can slow down to the relaxed rhythm of the locals and discover the many charming villages scattered around the picturesque countryside. Take advantage of the wide range of packages offered by some 40 properties. Let us tempt you with our regional cuisine at 27 « bonnes tables » - high quality dining rooms and restaurants which serve some of the best food you’ve ever tasted! And you’re sure to enjoy meeting one, or more, of the 50 agricultural producers who are so much part of this celebration of fall…..

Background information on the history and heritage of the Eastern Townships and details about the upcoming fall activites, are outlined in 48-page insert to appear in Au Québec, an upcale magazine. Published in conjunction with Tourisme Cantons-de-l'Est, this insert, devoted entirely to the Eastern Townships, will run in the September issue of Au Québec.

For a programme of activities during the Canard, vins et compagnie (Duck, wine and Good Cheer) festivities, please check the Tourisme Cantons-de-l’Est web site at : www.easterntownships.org/fall For a copy of the magazine, call 1-800-355-5755.