Tequila Flashcards
Tequila Defenition
Distilled beverage from Blue Agave in the area surrounding Tequila, Jalisco
Allowed Production Areas
Jalisco including limited areas in the states of Guanajuato, Michoacan, Nayarit, and Tamaulipas
ABV
Most are 37.5-40% abv but can be produces between 35-55% abv
Aztecs
Produced pulque (fermented agave beverage) later distilled by Spanish conquistadors
First Exporter of Tequila
Don Cenobio Sauza, first tax record in 1873
Tequila Goddess
Mayahuel: fertility, fecundity, and nourishment in Aztec mythology. Also associated with Maguey (Agave)
Prodoction Steps
- Raw Material: Blue Agave
- Harvesting (La Jima)
- Cooking
- Shredding
- Fermentation
- Distillation
- Resting/Aging
- Bottling
Jimadors
People who harvest the Agave plant
Agave Tequilana Weber (Blue Agave)
- From the Lily family
- 8-12 yrs to reach maturity
- Pina (cabeza) is used for Tequila
- Pina can be between 40-250 lbs
Cooking
- Ovens
- Autoclaves
- Diffusor(shredder)
Shredding
- Mechanical shredder
2. Tahona Wheel (crusher)
Fermentation
- 3-7days
- during this step it may be blended for mixto Tequila
- open air fermentation or proprietary yeast
Distillation
- First distillation = “ordinario”, second = “silver tequila”
- Stailess steel or copper pot stills
- Continuous still
Resting/Aging
- New white oak, French oak, or used American Whiskey barrels
- Wood finishing on some in Red Bordeaux or Late Harvest Sauternes
CRT
Tequila Regulatory Council founded in 1994
NOM
“Norma Official Mexicana”: establishes Appelation and gives a number to a distillery but does not indicate its location
Agave Spirits
Tequila Mezcal Sotol Bacanora Raicilla
Tequila Categories
- Blanco “Silver”
- Joven “Gold”
- Joven Abocado
- Reposado
- Añejo
- Extra Añejo
Blanco
Un-aged and bottled or stored immediately after distillation, or aged less than two months in stainless steel or neutral oak barrels
Joven
Tequilas that are usually mixed with colorings/additives to adjust and enhance the flavor. Can be 100% de agave if mixed with older tequilas rather than additives.
Joven Abocado
Like Joven, meaning “young and smooth”
Reposado
Aged a minimum of 2 months, but less than a year in oak barrels of any size
Añejo
Aged a minimum of 1 year but less than 3 years in oak barrels with a maximum capacity of 600 liters
Extra Añejo
Aged a minimum of 3 years in oak barrels with a maximum capacity of 600 liters
