The Mexican Wine Council lands in Bordeaux

·       La Cité du Vin of Bordeaux has hosted the first tasting organized by the Mexican Wine Council in that city.

·      The Mexican Wine Council and the Ministry of Agriculture of Mexico have been the organizers of the event, in association with the Fondation pour la culture et les civilisations du vin that has brought together almost a hundred wine industry professionals in France and some subscribers of the Cité du Vin

La Cité du Vin, unique cultural place, which shows the wine all around the world, through different cultures and civilizations, has been the venue chosen this Tuesday, July 3, to hold the first tasting of Mexican wines. It has been organized by the Vitivinícola Mexican Council in the city with the aim of expanding the knowledge of its wine production among the French professional public.

The emblematic building, with an architecture that evokes the soul of the wine, is made up of more than 13,350 m² and has been the space in which premium wines from the Casa Madero, Monte Xanic, Viña Doña Dolores Freixenet Mexico, Vinaltura wineries have been tasted. and Vinícola Regional de Ensenada, a representative sample of the wine-growing diversity of which the Aztec country presumes.

This event is part of the collaboration agreement signed in 2016 between the Fondation pour la culture et les civilizations du vin and the Mexican Vitivinicultural Council, to make known the Mexican wine by collaborating in the different events that the renowned foundation carries out, a reference in France and around the world.

The Director of Marketing and Communication, Solène Jaboulet, and the Head of Marketing and Associates, Florence Maffrand, welcomed the event, who highlighted the quality of the wines chosen by the CMV to represent the Mexican wines at the event. In the same way, at the beginning D. Daniel Milmo Brittingham, President of the Mexican Wine Council, thanked the Foundation for its support to raise awareness of Mexican wines in France. "Mexico can not remain oblivious to world trends and the most effective way to get involved was the decision on our reintegration into the International Organization of Vine and Wine and become gold partners of this museum," said Daniel.

After the initial greeting, the sommelier, Omar Barbosa, wanted to bring to the audience the history of the Mexican vineyards. Next, and accompanied by the cultural mediator, Pauline Brumauld, she has exposed the peculiarities of the four main wine regions of Mexico: Baja California, Coahuila and Querétaro.

Before starting the tasting, the chef Mercedes Ahumada has described the different recipes that were tasted as an accompaniment to the varieties of wines, discovering the wide Mexican gastronomic culture.

Around a hundred importers, sommeliers, specialized press and catering sector have been able to learn about the virtues and qualities of the wines presented by the wineries, as well as discover the origins of these vineyards. The Mexican wine market, which shows a remarkable upward trend in the last decade -both in export and production figures- currently has as its main objective, once the North American market is consolidated, to become known in European markets.

This is the second event that takes place in the country this 2018, after the presentation of premium Mexican wines that took place in Paris last April. These acts are carried out within the project of the Mexican Vitivinicultural Council called "Promotion and Strengthening of Commercial Capacities of the National Wine Sector", supported by SAGARPA.

Once again, the event has been very well received, which is why it is expected to continue holding new events in France, one of the markets with the highest consumption and international wine culture.

THE MEXICAN WINE IN NUMBERS

Its production, introduced by the Spaniards in the XVI century, has experienced a revolution in the XX century; moment in which the large wineries that operate today were founded. The Mexican wine industry has 6,500 hectares of production and some 200 business units that offer more than 1,200 diverse labels.

Mexico produces 40 grape varietiesfor wine, being the majority white varieties: Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc, Riesling and Semillon; in the case of the inks are: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Nebbiolo, Tempranillo, Grenache, Cariñena, Cabernet Franc, Petit Sirah, Ruby Red and Zinfandell.

PRODUCTION REGIONS AND WINERIES PRESENTED

Baja California: Monte Xanic Winery

The Mexican region of Baja California concentrates 90% of the hectares of vineyard planted, which translates into a production of 18 thousand tons of grapes and almost 1,500,000 boxes per year. Belonging to this region, and more specifically to the Valley of Guadalupe, with a climate similar to the Mediterranean, the Monte Xanic winery develops its work. At present, Monte Xanic produces 72,000 boxes per year under its four brands: Gran Ricardo, Limited Editions, Monte Xanic and Calixa. He has surprised in Bordeaux with his Cabernet Franc Reserva Limitada.

Baja California: Ensenada Regional Winery

Vinícola Regional de Ensenada (VIRESA) produces in the spectacular Valley of Llano Colorado in San Vicente, Baja California. His wines Ancón San Vicente, Red Groove, J2: 10, Groove 2,7 and Lágrimas, have been recognized in some of the most important international competitions. On this occasion, the one chosen for the tasting in Bordeaux was Red Wine Red Groove.

Coahuila: Casa Madero

Located in the Valley of Parras, Coahuila, this winery founded in 1597 can boast of being the oldest functioning in the entire American continent and the sixth in the world. With an extremely hot climate in the summer, the annual rainfall is moderate, which is very beneficial for its 18 native grape varieties from their own vineyards. The wines of Casa Madero have received numerous international awards, among which the Mundus Vini Grand Gold 2017 stands out for its Shiraz Casa Gran Reserva 2013. This time, Casa Madero has tasted its organic Chenin Blanc and its Shiraz Grand Reserve .

Querétaro: Viña Doña Dolores Freixenet México

In the Seventies, the Freixenet Group bet by the state of Querétaro, in Ezequiel Montes, for being an area with an ideal microclimate to elaborate wines. There he acquired the land where Finca Sala Vivé is located. Being about 2,000 meters above sea level the temperatures between day and night are very contrasted (25º C in the day and 0º C at night). These extreme and peculiar conditions favor the maturation of the grape and enhance its qualities. This is currently one of the largest export companies of Mexican wines. In the event they have tasted their sparkling wines Brut Reserva and Brut Rosé.

Queretaro: Vinaltura

Vinaltura seeks to express the typicity of Querétaro terroir A fertile land zone with optimum climatic characteristics for the vine, located at 2,000 meters above sea level and extreme conditions that range between 25 ° C during the day and 0 ° C at night. In his presence at La Cité du Vin they presented their Sauvignon Blanc White Wine.