Tequila

by Ruy-Sanchez, Alberto

• ISBN13: 9781588342133
• ISBN10: 1588342131
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2004-11-30
• Publisher: Smithsonian Inst Pr

Summary

Tequila, "that burning river in a small glass," is more than the fuel of intense conversations or reckless abandon. As the national drink of Mexico, it has remained an essential part of the country's complex history and culture, from the Spanish colonial period to the modern nation of filmmakers and novelists. And its varieties, whether made by huge manufacturers or tiny family enterprises, are nearly endless. Every tequila aficionado has a little-known brand to claim as far superior to the rest. Profusely illustrated with vintage and modern photographs, Tequila is a complete guide to all things tequila. Opening with a set of basic questions and answers ("What is tequila?" "What is the difference between tequila and mezcal?" "What does 100% agave mean?"), the book presents an A-Z consumer's guide with descriptions of scores of brands of tequila from the most common to the rarest, discussing and rating their quality and relating some of their history, and accompanied by photos of the tequila bottles and labels-themselves a Mexican art form.

Author Biography

Novelist Alberto Ruy Sánchez and his wife, historian Margarita de Orellana, are the editors of Artes de Mexico, the leading art magazine of Mexico.

Table of Contents

Tequila: A Rite of Passage	p. 9
20 Questions about Tequila	p. 17
History of Tequila	p. 45
Tequila Moments	p. 47
How Tequila Was Made in the Old Days	p. 71
A Micro-History of Tequila: The Cuervo Case	p. 81
Tequila and Its Signs: In Praise of the Country Gentleman	p. 105
Tequila and Its Terrain: Landscape of Agave	p. 123
The Art of Tequila	p. 137
Panegyric and Emblem	p. 138
Journey into Transparency	p. 141
Miraculous Tequila	p. 182
To Help Hildebrando Perez Learn to Drink a Shot of Tequila	p. 188
Recipes with Tequila	p. 193
Cocktails
Soups
Main Dishes
Desserts
A Gallery of Tequilas	p. 203
Reference	p. 231
Directory of Distilleries
Glossary
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