Naturally, you should start with the fact that tequila is not at all “cactus vodka”. She is not cactus and not vodka. This strong alcoholic drink is made from blue agave juice. Outwardly, it is possible that agave is associated among the uninitiated with a cactus, but she is a real desert lily and looks like domestic aloe. However, the ripening period of these lilies varies from seven to twelve years. By this age, the weight of the plant reaches almost a centner.
The history of tequila is not as long as the history of cognac, but it has a number of similarities with this French drink. Like the name "brandy", the name this alcohol received in honor of the city in which it was produced - Tequila. Like the Frenchman, tequila is produced only in a relatively small region of Mexico - in five states. And only a little more than a hundred firms from this region have a license to produce this alcohol.
Classification
"Tequila" is a brand name for the world-renowned Mexican mezcal alcoholic beverage. Again, a comparison with French alcohol suggests itself. Like all drinks based on grape alcohol (with the exception of cognac) are called "brandy", so any alcohol based on agave (except tequila) is called "mezcal". But they withstand tequila, in contrast to the same cognac, unlike short terms.
Duration of exposure to "silver" (Silver) - no more than two months. During this time, alcohol does not have time to gain color, therefore it remains absolutely transparent.
If you add color to silver tequila , it becomes similar to aged and goes into the classification of "gold" (Gold).
The next subspecies - for drinks ripening in oak barrels for less than a year, is simply called “rested” (Reposado).
If the tequila is aged for one, but no more than three years, this kind of tequila gets the category “aged” (Anejo). Aged tequila already gets a natural golden hue.
More recently, just a decade ago, a new subspecies has emerged - Extra-Anejo for strong Mexican spirits with a holding period of more than three years.
The second manufacturer in the world
The second largest tequila producer in Mexico or in the world - identical concepts. After all, the national pride of Mexico is produced only in this country, and its export is an important article of Mexican export. So, the world's second largest producer of this type of alcohol is hiding under the name Tequila Sauza. Reviews of Mexican drink lovers all over the world give this brand second place in terms of popularity. The company is named for its founder, Senobio Sauza, who moved to Tequila in the mid-nineteenth century and a little later bought a distillation plant. Due to the long ripening of blue agave, the full-fledged production of the Sauza tequila alcoholic beverage only began in 1888. In honor of this, the plant received a new name - La Preservancia, by which it is known now, more than a century after the start of production.
The world's first tequila exporter
The name of Senobio Souza is associated not only with the history of production. The world's first export batch of alcohol from Mexico was Sauza Silver tequila, however, it consisted of only three barrels. Naturally, at present, the main direction of production is export, while there is a minimum for domestic consumption.
Tequila production
The amount of alcohol for each type of tequila can vary, ranging from thirty-five to fifty-five parts by volume. The usual strength is about forty standard degrees - common among other strong alcoholic drinks. A distinctive feature of tequila is the presence of at least fifty-one percent of blue agave alcohol in its alcohol component. The remaining parts are mainly occupied by grain (corn) or cane alcohols. One hundred percent alcohol content in fermented agave is also possible. Blue agave alcohol gives the tequila a sweetish flavor.
Real or fake
By the shapes or volumes of the bottles, only an expert can identify a fake. But what should the uninitiated buyer pay attention to? How to determine if
genuine Sauza tequila is in a bottle or not? First, pay attention to the price. Real tequila made in Mexico cannot cost less than thirty or forty dollars. Even the smallest exposure. If the price has passed the test, then you should examine the label. It is worth paying attention to whether the inscription on the label is 100% agave, which means that the tequila is made exclusively from
blue agave. But about all the other inscriptions, including “100%”, but where instead of agave it is written differently - “natural”, “natural product” or “Mexican” - we can say with confidence that Sauza is not a tequila in this container - a fake. The absence of such an inscription does not matter, because the component of agave alcohol should be at least 51%. If the inscription "100%" on the label is not, but it is written - "Sauza. Tequila." How to distinguish fake in this case? The label must bear the seal of the quality of the NOM, which in fact is the registration number of the manufacturer (and there are about a hundred of them, as you know). The production staff should also be indicated, and there are only five of them in general. In the end, the authenticity of a Sauza tequila bottle can be verified by simple mathematical calculation of the barcode, or by scanning the barcode with an ordinary mobile phone application.
Unique taste
Short aging tequila should not be confusing. Blue agave gives Mexican alcohol an easily recognizable taste - surprisingly soft with a sweet aftertaste. At the same time, it is not necessary to cool tequila - taking into account the climatic features of Mexico, it is consumed at room temperature. If you do not abuse large doses, the consequences the next day will not be at all. And let no one be confused by the second place of the Sauza tequila brand in the world. If the drink is authentic, it will fall in love with its taste and take its place in the taste line.