Posted on Tue, Mar 16, 2010
Are you a Tequila lover? If you are, then perhaps Tequila has become for you like whiskey or red wine: a beverage to be savored, respected, and slowly explored.
In order to develop a deeper appreciation for the world's first distilled spirit, and a product native to the State of Jalisco surrounding Guadalajara, it will be necessary to invest some time and have the patience to sample and carefully get to know the different types of tequila, and the many flavor profiles within each. This is even more true now, as the world of tequila continues to change right before our eyes. Guadalajara Grill is committed, as part of our quest to provide you as complete and authentic a Mexican dining experience as possible (along with the best Mexican food in Tucson!), to offering the most complete tequila selection in Tucson as well as the information you need to become a more educated consumer of this most Mexican of products.
Just 10-20 years ago, there were at most a couple of hundred brands of tequila, but today that number has jumped to over 900 (and over 2,000 brands have been registered). What is going on you might ask? The short answer: marketing.
In the global spirits industry overall, there has been a major trend in the last decade towards what has been called "premiumization," or consumer preference for high-priced premium brands (think Grey Goose Vodka and all the brands that followed along in its wake). There has also been a return of the "cocktail culture," or a renewed appreciati on among consumers for unique specialty drinks prepare by "mixologists" or highly trained and knowledgeable bartenders.
In fact, Since 2002 sales of high priced tequilas, called "ultra-premium" and "super-premium" by marketeers, have increased 28 percent. That is an average growth rate of 8.6 percent per year, as reported by the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States.
A new NOM (Norma Oficial Mexicana) for tequila (NOM-006-SCFI-2005) was issued in 2006, and among other changes, introduced a category of tequila called "extra añejo" or "ultra-aged" which must be aged a minimum of 3 years.
Although some tequilas have remained as family owned brands, most well-known tequila brands are owned by large multinational corporations. However, there are actually just over 100 distilleries making all these brands of tequila in Mexico, and because there are only so many distilleries, multiple brands of tequila come from the same location.
For many consumers, tequila has become like whiskey or red wine; a beverage to be savored, respected, and patiently explored. In order to develop the ability to distinguish among tequilas, to find out which styles and flavor profiles ones you like, there is no substitute for patience and a commitment to sampling and learning about them and what makes them different. And, of course, you need to have access to a large selection of tequilas and the information about them that allows you to deepen your understanding.
As part of our commitment to being the best Tucson Mexican restaurant offering an authentic and complete Mexican dining experience inspired by Guadalajara, the Guadalajar Grill is committed to being your partner in this journey of exploration of tequila. That's why we have one of Tucson's largest selections of Tequilas, and keep adding to it continually. We also provide information about each brand on our Web site, and give you the opportunity to vote on your favorite brand and post comments about what you liked or dislike about a particular brand.
Keep reading our blog for news about the Tequila Club, and The Guadalajara Tequila Tour that we are developing and check out our Tequila menu pages for Anejos, Resposados and Premium Silver Tequilas.
And of course, whenever you're savoring tequila, or any other beverage alchohol, do so responsibly, with care and moderation. We've go your nac on that one as well. Nada en exceso y todo con medida. Cuidate
Posted on Tue, Jan 26, 2010
It can get pretty hot in Tucson, and there is no better way to quench your thirst than with one of the best margaritas in Tucson.
Our creative and fun-loving cantineros are armed with one of Tucson's largest selection of high quality Tequilas, and countless creative special recipes. And they can make the Margarita of your dreams.
If you want to learn how to make Margaritas, come taste ours and watch our cantineros at work. And follow us here on this blog, where there will be an entire section devoted to Tequilas and Margaritas.
Whether you want to share your favorite Margarita recipe, learn more about our specialty Mexican margaritas, or just tell us about some of your favorite Margarita memories, the Guadlajara Grill Tucson blog is the place to do it.
Salud!