Tequila

Question 1

Tequila Defenition

Answer 1

Distilled beverage from Blue Agave in the area surrounding Tequila, Jalisco

Question 2

Allowed Production Areas

Answer 2

Jalisco including limited areas in the states of Guanajuato, Michoacan, Nayarit, and Tamaulipas

Question 3

ABV

Answer 3

Most are 37.5-40% abv but can be produces between 35-55% abv

Question 4

Aztecs

Answer 4

Produced pulque (fermented agave beverage) later distilled by Spanish conquistadors

Question 5

First Exporter of Tequila

Answer 5

Don Cenobio Sauza, first tax record in 1873

Question 6

Tequila Goddess

Answer 6

Mayahuel: fertility, fecundity, and nourishment in Aztec mythology. Also associated with Maguey (Agave)

Question 7

Prodoction Steps

Answer 7

1. Raw Material: Blue Agave
2. Harvesting (La Jima)
3. Cooking
4. Shredding
5. Fermentation
6. Distillation
7. Resting/Aging
8. Bottling

Question 8

Jimadors

Answer 8

People who harvest the Agave plant

Question 9

Agave Tequilana Weber (Blue Agave)

Answer 9

1. From the Lily family
2. 8-12 yrs to reach maturity
3. Pina (cabeza) is used for Tequila
4. Pina can be between 40-250 lbs

Question 10

Cooking

Answer 10

1. Ovens
2. Autoclaves
3. Diffusor(shredder)

Question 11

Shredding

Answer 11

1. Mechanical shredder

2. Tahona Wheel (crusher)

Question 12

Fermentation

Answer 12

1. 3-7days
2. during this step it may be blended for mixto Tequila
3. open air fermentation or proprietary yeast

Question 13

Distillation

Answer 13

1. First distillation = “ordinario”, second = “silver tequila”
2. Stailess steel or copper pot stills
3. Continuous still

Question 14

Resting/Aging

Answer 14

1. New white oak, French oak, or used American Whiskey barrels
2. Wood finishing on some in Red Bordeaux or Late Harvest Sauternes

Question 15

CRT

Answer 15

Tequila Regulatory Council founded in 1994

Question 16

NOM

Answer 16

“Norma Official Mexicana”: establishes Appelation and gives a number to a distillery but does not indicate its location

Question 17

Agave Spirits

Answer 17

Tequila
Mezcal
Sotol
Bacanora
Raicilla

Question 18

Tequila Categories

Answer 18

1. Blanco “Silver”
2. Joven “Gold”
3. Joven Abocado
4. Reposado
5. Añejo
6. Extra Añejo

Question 19

Blanco

Answer 19

Un-aged and bottled or stored immediately after distillation, or aged less than two months in stainless steel or neutral oak barrels

Question 20

Joven

Answer 20

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.

Question 21

Joven Abocado

Answer 21

Like Joven, meaning “young and smooth”

Question 22

Reposado

Answer 22

Aged a minimum of 2 months, but less than a year in oak barrels of any size

Question 23

Añejo

Answer 23

Aged a minimum of 1 year but less than 3 years in oak barrels with a maximum capacity of 600 liters

Question 24

Extra Añejo

Answer 24

Aged a minimum of 3 years in oak barrels with a maximum capacity of 600 liters