Tequila Flashcards
When was the Reposado classification introduced?
1962 by Herradura
Tepoztecal is awesome. Who is he?
God of alcoholic merriment.
Whare are Mexican terms for Head and Heart?
Cabeza and Corazon
What is Mezcal?
Distilled spirit made primarily in Oaxaca from a variety of agaves.
What is the term for “Honey Water?”
Aguamiel
What is a Barrica?
Barrel
Why is demand and popularity of Tequila stressful to Tequila producers?
It takes 6 to 8 years for a blue agave plant to reach maturity.
What the the 6 areas of Tequila flavor?
- Agave
- Spice
- Wood
- Fruit/Floral
- Earthy
- Sweet Aromatics
What is Raicilla?
Bootleg liquor made in Central Jalisco and some other areas from agave variety Lechuguilla.
How many times was Mexcal traditionally distilled?
Once
Describe the process of Hydrolysis.
Using water to split a compound into other compounds. Converts inulin inside the agave into fermentable sugars.
What is Inulin?
Polymers which agave tequilana keeps in its structure as a nutritive reserve.
What is the soil composition in the Highlands region?
Higher percentage of clay.
What are the 2 basic types of Tequila?
100% Blue Agave Tequila and Tequila.
What is Tahona?
Great stone whell used to separate fibrous pulp of the agave from the juice.
In what year was Jose Maria Cuervo granted a license to produce Mezcal?
1795
What are the 5 classes of post distillation for Tequila?
- Blanco/Plata
- Reposado
- Anejo
- Extra Anejo
- Joven Abocado
What is Pulque?
First agave drink from 3 different types of agave (not blue) first made in 200 BC.
What is the soil composition in the Valley region?
Volcanic ash
Describe the variations of Agave terroir and its effect on Tequila flavor and quality.
Highlands soil has more clay so creates more floral and sweet profiles.
Valley soil has more volcanic ash so creates more herbacious and spicy notes.
What is Ordinario?
Product of 1st distillation.
Approximately how many different species of Agave are there?
136
What is NOM?
Norma Oficial Mexicana - Government assigned number to every tequila distillery.
What are the 5 sources for Tequila flavor?
- Agave
- Water
- Fermentation
- Distillation
- Maturation
How long are Pinas generally cooked?
36 to 48 hours.
What is Abocado?
Gold, unaged tequila to which caramel coloring has been added.
BLANK is a form of BLANK but BLANK is not a form of BLANK.
Tequila is a form of Mexcal but Mexcal is not a form of tequila.
What is the minimum aging requirement for an Anejo Tequila?
1 year
What is a Horno?
Traditional oven used to cook agave pina.
What should be considered in the service and storage of Tequila?
Extremely long shelf life opened or unopened and reacts quite well in direct sunlight.
What are the 3 Flavor Presentation Styles of Tequila?
- Light & Fresh
- Macho & Spicy
- Muy Macho
What is Bargasse?
Fiber from cooked agave added to aguamiel during Mexcal fermentation.
What is another name for the Los Altos region?
Highlands
What is a Coa?
Specialized tool used for harvesting agave.
What is the size and weight of Agave when mature?
5 to 8 feet wide in diameter. 8 to 12 feed high and 35 to 90 kilos.
What is Maguey?
Spanish term for agave.
Agave belongs to what family?
Amaryllis
How long is Reposado Tequila aged?
Minimum of 2 months
What is Mixto?
Tequila made from mixture of agave and other sugars. Minimum 51% Blue Agave.
Describe Extra Anejo Tequila.
Newest classification. Must be aged for 3 or more years.
What are the production zones for Tequila?
Nayarit, Tamalupas, Jalisco, Michacan, Guanajuato
What is Sotol?
Regional variation of agave distillates.
When was the Blue Agave classified and who classified it?
Botanist Weber in 1902
What are some other plants that have significant amounts of inulin?
Wheat, Garlic, Onion, Chicory
What are Gusanos?
Larvae from overripe agave.
What is the general definition of Tequila?
Spirit made by distilling the aguamiel of blue agave plant.
Which regions of Tequila production produce a more herbacious and spicy aroma?
Amatitan and Nayarit.
What is Mexcal de Olla?
Variant of Mexcal which has 1st distillation carried out in a clay pot that has a fitted cover.
When did the Spanish arrive in Mexico?
159
Agave from the Highland region displays what profile?
Floral and sweet
What is an Autoclave?
Large pressure cooker
What beverages are derived from Agave?
Tequila, Pulque, Mezcal, Bacanora, Comiteca, Raicilla, Sotol and Mezcal do Olla
What has a great influence on the Organoleptic Profile of Tequila?
Natural fermentation
What is the maximum barrel size for Anejo Tequila?
600 liters
What’s the definition of Tequila?
Tequila is a spirit made by fermenting and distilling the aguamiel (cooked sap) of the blue agave plant.
What are the 3 words commonly used as names for the same plant?
- Maguey
- Mezcal
- Agave
Of all the agave-derived drinks, which are the only 2 distributed outside of Mexico?
Tequila and Mezcal
The final aroma and flavor profile for tequila comes mainly from what 3 items?
- Agave
2. Distillation process and Aging
What is the only alcholic drink available in Mexico prior to the Spanish arrival in 1519?
Pulque
What is Bacanora?
An agave distillate made in Sonora State in the North from small variety of agave about 18 inches high at maturity.
What are Pencas?
Leaves
What’s another name for the fermented must?
Musto
In what year was the legal minimum ratio for tequila re-established to 51%?
2005
Where are the other sugars generally obtained?
Cane, molasses or corn based sources.
When was Mixto production began?
1930’s
In what year was the Extra Anejo classification adopted?
1990
If a tequila is joven abacado, where must the addition of caramel take place?
Mexico
What is the predominant additive?
Caramel (burnt sugar)
When did the Spanish introduce distillation?
Probably 1520’s
What does Tequila mean?
Nahuatl world which means “place of work.”
