Tequila SectionWish you knew more about Tequila, how to shop for it, and what makes one Tequila different from another? Then you're in the right place!
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Tequila Profiles
{Heche en México}
History of Tequila
The process of turning the juice from an agave plant into an alcoholic beverage was discovered around 200 CE. In the early 1500's Spanish conquistadors introduced alcoholic distillation to the native population of Mexico. The product they produced was called mezcal wine. This spirit was made from many varieties of agave in central Mexico, and the town of Tequila in the state of Jalisco became the heart of tequila production in the eighteenth century.
The first official license to produce mezcal wine in the tequila region was given to Jose Maria Guadalupe Cuervo in 1795. It would be almost a hundred years before the "blue agave" plant is discovered and distillers recognize the superior taste from this plant. In 1873, the blue agave mezcal wine was renamed tequila to distinguish it from the other varieties of agave spirits around the region. Then, in 1949, the first organization (Norma Oficial Mexicana or NOM) was formed to set forth regulations to protect tequila's origin and establish standards to ensure quality. Some of these are listed below.
Teqiuila: {no less than 51% agave, but not 100%}
This form of tequila is a blend of 51% agave (minimum) and 49% other non-agave sugars. If a product does not read 100% agave on the label then if falls in this category simply called tequila or mixto. Mexican law does allow this category to be "mellowed" with caramel coloring, oak extract, glycerin, or sugar. Flavored tequila would also fall into this category. The colors in this type of tequila are water-white or a golden hue. The only difference in these types of (mixto) tequila is the addition of caramel coloring unless "aging" is listed on the bottle. The terms listed on the bottle that you will find to describe each type are listed below.
White: {blanco, silver, plata}
Gold: {oro, joven abocado}
100% Blue Agave Tequila
This form of tequila is made from 100% agave. All 100% agave tequila must be distilled entirely from the fermented juice of the blue agave plant. These tequilas must be bottled in Mexico as opposed to the 51% agave tequilas that may be sold in bulk and bottled in another country. Each type in this category is aged for certain amount of time ranging from 60 days to 3yr or more.
Blanco: {unaged, or aged in stainless steel for less than two months}
Repasado: {rested, aged for at least two months in oak vats or barrels}
Añejo: {aged for at least one year in oak barrels}
Extra Añejo: {aged a minimum of three years in oak barrels}