| Tequila is a distilled alcoholic beverage made primarily in the area surrounding Tequila, a town in the western Mexican state of Jalisco, 65 km from Guadalajara. It is made from the blue agave tequilana weber plant (also called Maguey by the local people), part of lily family, which is native to Mexico. Most common tequilas are 38% to 40% alcohol (76 to 80 proof).
Tequila is the first distilled spirit in the American Continent and it is one of the few spirits that has a Denomination of Origin such as cognac. Regions and other variations Tequila is only one type of mezcal, which is the name of any distilled alcohol made from the agave plant. What makes tequila different from other mezcals is its adherence to the strict standards set by the Tequila Regulatory Council (Mexican norm NOM-006-SCFI-1994), the region where it is made - Denominación de Origen regulations restrict its production to specific regions in the states of Jalisco, Guanajuato, Michoacán, Tamaulipas and Nayarit - and the fact that tequila is made from Agave tequilana Weber, also called blue agave or agave azul. Tequila is required to be at least 51% agave; the remainder is usually maize or sugarcane. There are, however, premium tequilas made from 100% blue agave. If it is not made from 100% agave, tequila is referred to as mixto, although labels in the bottles will say only "Tequila". Tequila that is made only from agave, must be bottled in Mexico and will say in the label "Tequila 100% de Agave" or "Tequila 100% puro de Agave" (some may add the word Azul after agave). A person trained in the facts of Tequila history, Tequila production, and Mexican Folklore is called a Tequilero. Bulk agave syrup, usually derived from wild agave, may be exported, and often has other sugars added, and caramel for colouring. Agave syrup or nectar is about 90% fructose, and is often used as a sweetener and a safe substitute for table sugar. It is marketed as a natural sweetener with a low glycemic index. Types of tequila Tequila is usually bottled in one of four categories : blanco ("silver" - not aged white spirit) joven or "oro" ("gold" or "bottled when young" - "silver" tequila which is "avocado" which means that caramel, fructose, glycerin and wood flavouring can be added to resemble aged tequila) reposado ("aged" - aged a minimum of 2 months but less than a year in oak barrels) añejo ("exta-aged" or "vintage" - aged minimum 1 year but less than 3 years in oak barrels) "Extra-añejo" ("ultra-aged" or "vintage" - aged minimum 3 year in oak barrels) This is a new category which was established in March 2006. The aging process changes the color of tequila, but the liquid can sometimes be coloured with caramel to show a darker colour, indicative of a longer aging process; añejos tend to be darker, the reposados slightly less dark, while the platas are not coloured at all. It is a common misconception that some tequilas contain a 'worm' in the bottle. Only certain mezcals, usually from the state of Oaxaca, are ever sold con gusano, and that only began as a marketing gimmick in the 1940s. The worm is actually the larval form of the moth Hipopta agavis that lives on the agave plant. Finding one in the plant during processing indicates an infestation and, correspondingly, a lower quality product. (Note: for more information on how tequila is made, see mezcal.) However this misconception continues, and even with all the effort and marking to represent Tequila as a premium product -- similar to the way Cognac is viewed in relation to brandy -- there are some opportunist producers for the shooters and fun market who blur these boundaries. In the 2000s, a distributor known for their Tequilas, launched Villa Lobos, a vodka which had the unique selling point that it too featured the "agave worm". The marketing of this product highlighted the drinks links with Tequilas and said that it was developed in reaction to the Tequila crisis of the previous years. Buy tequila gifts online from Gifts 2 Drink. All our Tequila Gifts are available in highly stylish and attractive gift packaging with gift cards and your own personal message. We provide a high quality service with products and gift packaging that our customers can rely on to impress every time. At Gifts2Drink we have a track record of reliable, high quality delivery of luxury gifts delivered to exacting schedules and our couriers try to deliver on time, every time. "....Tequila is an extremely popular gift suitable for any occasion...." As well as Tequila Gifts we have an array of the most popular Champagnes, Wines, Whisky's, Liqueurs, Beers and Spirits available, accompanied by Cigars, Flowers, Chocolates and Balloons all gift boxed together and delivered to the door at the same time. Many people prefer to send their Tequila Gifts with flowers and balloons on special occasions such as Christmas, birthdays, and Valentines Day, or just to say something special. |
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