Required fields are marked *. Denomination of Origin - states & regulations, Classifications - blanco, joven, reposado, aejo, extra aejo, Misc. Because it depicts the aging process, it is critical to obtain a color that represents tequila aging. Copyright 2017 Sipping Life | All Rights Reserved. As a result, any additives will be removed from the tequila, ensuring that it is not mixed with them and thus makes it less desirable in the long run. 34-35 Dronningens Gade Hibiscus Alley, Charlotte Amalie, US Virgin Islands. A certified catador is a professional who is trained to identify and select recyclable materials from a waste stream. Consumers are concerned about their health and the environment. you for a better perception [evaluation]). : After you have tasted all of the tequilas, take a sip of water to cleanse your palate. His experience and expertise in the agave spirits industry has made him a sought-after consultant, experienced journalist, and significant source for national and international publications as well as industry professionals. Whether to allow the recipient to select a category or to allow him or her to select a category. 34-35 Dronningens Gade Hibiscus Alley, Charlotte Amalie, US Virgin Islands. In order to become a tequila catador, one must first become familiar with the different types of tequila and their production process. According to the US Distilled Spirits Council, volume growth in tequila has outpaced average growth rate by 5.8% per year since 2002. Please try again. In a year filled with challenges, we are grateful for your continued support in 2021. (Before and during the course of thetasting, it is not convenient to smoke since tobacco diminishes ones sensorial capacities and perceptions. If you want to taste tequila properly, take your first sip after inhaling, then eat it in your mouth, swallow it over your tongue, and exhale hard over your tongue, which will most likely produce a different result. 6.) Your assessments may be affectedand the smoke will affect the other tasters [judges]. You're listening to a sample of the Audible audio edition. This will help you to avoid getting too drunk and will allow you to taste more tequila. 14.) This traditional beverage, which has been around for hundreds of years, is said to aid in smooth social interactions. The tasting should be done in the same sequence, uncovering only the glass of the sample you are evaluating, and then recovering it before moving on to the next one.). The next step to becoming a tequila catador is to learn about the different brands of tequila. M.A. These three EU countries all imported more than3 million litersof the Mexican spirit in 2017. No intente hacer comparaciones; no tiene que conectar la muestra en turno con alguna marca en particular; realice su evaluacin como si cada una de las muestras fuera nica. They are also responsible for ensuring that the materials are properly sorted and stored for collection. Broken down into 47 "chapters" in a quite unique way - each short "chapter" representing a lesson plan. On the rocks or in a glass of tequila, try to taste the drink. It is a complex spirit with a rich history, and there are many different ways to enjoy it. Shipping cost, delivery date, and order total (including tax) shown at checkout. After a dozen years in Beantown, he moved his young family to San Diego where his son was born. Meet Pim Schouten our Logisitcs Manager, and Amir Tawfik, Nicolai Koelhof, Alexandru Onica, Moon Nguyet Nguyen, and Charitha Heeren Sasmas Logistics Operators. Shake off the tequila shot glass as soon as possible. ), great story! Reposado tequila is aged for at least two months, and has a more robust flavor. As a family, they enjoy going to the park, eating out and taking in movies. Catadores in this group are divided into three separate chapters: Guadalajara, Mxico City, and Aguascaliente. By the time youve completed this course of study, youll have acquired a comprehensive education on all things tequila from field to glass. Youll also have a significant number of tastings under your belt - to include blind tastings and flights and youll be fully equipped to participate in a formal cata under the guidelines of the Mexican Tequila Academy. The purpose of this course is to learn about the differences between tequila labels and brands. My long-running spirits review show on www.TequilaAficionado.com, Sipping Off the . Through education and advocacy, MATT works to elevate the image of tequila and increase its popularity around the world. You must experiment with various glasses until you find one that works best for you. It is the task of the tequila sommeliers to understand the differences between producers, the regions, marketing strategies, product values so they can give expert recommendations to their clients or make better decisions themselves when purchasing tequila. So how do you get top tequila to be part of your business? Earlier this month, I had the pleasure of speaking with the Sasma Logistics team. Debunking tequila myths: tequila worm, cactus/agave, salt and lime, the darker the better, hangover etc. I stared at my tasting chart, trying to grasp the complicated rating system (we ranked some qualities from 1-7, and others from 1-5 or 1-3) and make sure I was familiar with all the Spanish terms. Prerequisites: Completion of Level 2 Examination. They knew they were Sipping Life, and a quest was born. You can return the item for any reason in new and unused condition: no shipping charges. Once you have developed a strong sense of smell and taste, you can begin to learn about the different types of tequila and how they are made. (During the entire tasting, there should be no communication among the tasters. (Take the time necessary to evaluate each sample. Take advantage of the flavors. It is possible to call it genuine tequila if it is made from the blue Agave plant in a specific region of Mexico. When working with Sasma, we can provide information regarding the process, assist in completing the required paperwork and provide general guidance on the Mexican matter. It involves learning about the different types of tequila, how to pour it, and how to drink it. 12.) In front of the glasses were tasting sheets that asked you to rate each tequila according to a variety of qualities such as color, body, nose, flavor and finish. We are founders of the Tequila Matchmaker app and website. I had hoped for more explicit notes on sensory vocabulary (descriptors and flavor origins and control - my passion), as more official sensory evaluations are now taking place within the industry. All but two of the brands on display had been in our private collection at some point, but we did not recognize them in the blind tasting. Each lesson is supplemented by additional reading, videos, and homework assignments(see the last chapter of this book for the web address)and one-on-one mentoring with Mike Morales. If you have a visual evaluation (of a sensory experience), use it to select the flavor, aroma, or odor of the sensory experience. The prized spirit is tequila, which is served only by expert tasters known as catadores.. Your email address will not be published. Many documents must be signed and stamped by your companys or firms lawyer before tequila can be incorporated into your company. We recommend consulting a guide like the tequila Sommelier Course from Tequila.com if you want to learn more about tequila and find a trusted wine instructor who will teach you how to enjoy it properly. The Tequila Aficionado Consumer Catador Course is a comprehensive course for consumers, hobbyists, and professionals to understand the art and science of tequila tasting. We work hard to protect your security and privacy. The worlds first tequila, La Rosa Reposado, is made from French oak barrels aged three months. Access to the relevant Online Course Material is provided instantly for all enrolled students. To be able to import and bottle tequila, a business must be CRT certified. I come from a family of passionate cooks, and I learned early on that cooking is a great way to show your love for others. As there are way over a 1000 tequila brands on the market, understanding them is no easy task. The glasses are available in a variety of styles, including tulips and wine glasses. Tequila Matchmaker There's a tequila for everyone. Agave tequila is made from blue Agave plants, which take up to 10 years to mature and are only available once. Except here the cherished spirit is tequila and the expert tasters are known as catadores.. Youll also have a significant number of tastings under your belt - to include blind tastings and flights and youll be fully equipped to participate in a formal cata under the guidelines of the Mexican Tequila Academy. Es indispensable que antes de iniciar el catado, anote en todas sus cdulas su nombre. As consumers venture away from well-known classics like Scotch to experiment with new tastes, a rise in interest and consumption of Irish whiskey can be seen especially over the past few years. She's equally enamored with the production of tequila and has become a level-2 Expert Catador of Tequila . Because of the CRT tequilas many challenges, and the fact that logistics can become prohibitively expensive, it is best to ship tequila in large quantities. 7.) si la cata se inicia a las 11:00. Your scores will affect, either positively or negatively, that sample and therefore, a particular brand coming onto the retail market. Everyone should be aware of the history of tequila and where it comes from. Only a few tequila producers in the United States are licensed, with the remaining five licensees having their own brands. Not Monterrey Hope soon but not yet :). Each one of the samples will have its own characteristics, positive or negative, its own qualities and attributes, and those are what you should depend (rely) uponin accordance with the parameters of the category and type of the, sampleas that is ultimately what is looked for.). A phrase youll often hear us say around here is Aint nobody got time for that!. On the reverse side of the scoring card youll find general descriptions for the category of 100% de agave [tequila] and each type. I was born and raised in Mexico, and my passion for food began at a young age. There is no definitive answer to this question as there is no one governing body for tequila sommeliers. Did you guys ever receive the results from this tasting? We took our tasting responsibilties very seriously, yet somehow wondered if we were had any idea what we were doing. We visited the Academia Mexicana de Catadores de Tequila, Vino Mezcal A. C. during one of their monthly tastings, and they were kind enough to let us taste along with them. Then, choose the tequila that you liked the best. I started my blog as a way to share my love of Mexican food with the world, to show people that Mexican food can be healthy, delicious, and easy to make. Sommeliers learn to navigate between commercial brands, private labels, special editions, single barrels, diffused tequilas and understand what average consumers and connoisseurs look for when choosing tequila. Each theme will have a minimum of five cocktail recipes, each of which will have three standard-sized cocktails. High-end premium Tequila is increased by 292% during the same period.It is estimated thatthe tequila market in Europe(EU) will grow at a compound annual growth rate of approximately1.8% and 1.3%in terms of revenue and quantity, respectively (between 2014 2019). Al reverso de la cdula encontrar estos perfiles generals. Francisco Hajnal, the groups leader, claimed the tasting officially underway and everyone immediately went to work, examining and sipping from the first glass. This course is the culmination of over 30 years of research, thousands of tastings, and two years of intense writing. Salt reduces the amount of tequila that burns. Time and commitment are required before a business is ready and licensed to import tequila and sell the Mexican spirit. There is no such thing as a crt tequila certification. However, the Mexican government does regulate the production of tequila, and there are a number of private organizations that offer certification courses for bartenders and others who wish to learn more about the spirit. (Unfortunately, we cannot reveal how the catadores ranked the extra aejos. Because tequila is a Mexican product, no Mexican product, anywhere in the world, can legally be called tequila unless it is made within Mexico or within the countries that have signed the World Trade Organization, the North American Free Trade Agreement, or other trade agreements. Access to the relevant Online Course Material is provided instantly for all enrolled students. how to become a tequila catador. Dont be in a hurry, and above all, concentrate on the currentsample. Special signs logos - what do the different logos like USDA and certified kosher mean. There are many different brands of tequila, and each one has its own unique flavor. It just goes to show how your tastes and palate can change when you are comparing brands that you normally enjoy individually. Mexicos brand of whiskey was imported into Spain, Germany, and France in 2017. After a couple more sips, you can examine your original findings or expand on them. Finally, a tequila catador must be able to properly store and serve tequila. Give it a try! This book, which will soon be available in audio and video formats, is the basis of your course. Most significantly though there are many links for those purchasing the book expanding on topics, either those sections needing extra coverage, or perhaps not within the main expertise of the authors. (In general, remember the tequila tasting training you have received.). Blanco tequila is also sometimes called silver tequila, and is the type of tequila that is most commonly used in Margaritas. Many believe this isnt possible, but Alans life has been on a high ever since that first kiss with Tequila. We are Grover and Scarlet, tequila fans who just cant seem to get enough of tequila. Creamy peach-like gently spicy flavor. This certification is given to tequila producers who follow the CRTs strict guidelines for production. The scores for each tequila are then combined and averaged. Setup in front of each chair was 10 glasses of tequila labeled only by number, and a small glass of vodka, a bottle of water and a plate of crackers, all to cleanse the palate. Mr. Soto received the designation of Maestro Catador (Master Sommelier) in 2008 by conducting extensive educational tequila tastings, seminars and being appointed the Director of La Academia Mexicana del Tequila for California, the first designation offered outside of Mexico. Tequila is more than just a shot to take on a night out with friends. Start by pouring a small amount of each type of tequila into a separate glass. The CRT has certified producers under the ISO 9002 standards since 1999. (It is vitally important that to evaluate each category and type of tequila that you take into consideration the corresponding parameter or profile. They each showed up to the party with a bottle of Tequila, and the collection began. At this cata we were trying a variety of extra aejos, with one or two aejos thrown into the mix. As a tequila Catador Bernardo participates in professional tastings at the Academia Mexicana del Tequila Western Mexico Chapter A variety of Fiesta-inspired cocktails, such as the Jalapeno Margarita, the Mexican Mule, and a fruity twist on the tequila Sour, will be available for purchase. Tequila Aficionado Consum has been added to your Cart. Chris began his professional career in the restaurant biz and has become a certified Catador in the process. Tequila is protected by legislation not only for quality purposes, but also to maintain the integrity of a Mexican cultural icon; tequila is even more heavily regulated than Scotch whisky and French cognac. The CRT certification is important because it guarantees that the tequila is of the highest quality. To incorporate tequila into your business, many documents must be duly signed and stamped by your business and company lawyer. This item can be returned in its original condition for a full refund or replacement within 30 days of receipt. It includes access to videos, notes and downloadable materials. Someone who has successfully completed one of the two official certification programs for teaching how to taste tequila is referred to as a certified catador. To do a taste test of tequila, you will need to have a few different types of tequila on hand. The basic steps of traditional tequila production - jima, hydrolysis (cooking), extraction, fermentation, distillation Production tools - brick oven, autoclave, tahona, roller mill, diffuser, pot still, column still Basic agave facts - maturation time, agave tequilana Tequila Service basics: expiry, effect of oxygen, vessel, serving temperature This practice cleanses your mouth of strange or previous flavors and prepares. Finally, it is important to be able to spit out the tequila after tasting it. Thank you! Access codes and supplements are not guaranteed with used items. Our payment security system encrypts your information during transmission. After being raised on the flatlands of South Dakota, Chris Simmons wrestled at the Division One level for Boston University then began his career in the hospitality field. Great book! This will allow you to experiment and find the types of tequila you like best. 1.) Through these classes, students will learn about the different types of tequila, the history of tequila, and how to make their own tequila. By completing this exam, participants prove that they have a solid understanding about tequila. When you find a baja, you must return to the previous location. A glass with a lid to allow for observation, swirl, inhalation, and taste will help you enjoy tequila more effectively. Because the worm is responsible for digestion, a worm is placed in the bottle. As the CRT tequila poses a few hurdles, and logistics can become a costly affair, it is recommended to ship tequila in greater quantities; a larger volume is more cost-effective. Recuerde que es su percepcin y opinin, sobre la muestra en turno, la que vale y no el qu o cmo pudiere parecerle a otra persona. Is your business ready to commit and benefit from the tequila trend? The fascination around organic products continues to grow, from food and spirits to cosmetics. Then, take a small sip of each one and pay attention to the flavor. The Mexican Academy of Tequila Tasters (MATT) is a professional organization of tequila experts dedicated to the promotion and responsible consumption of tequila. As you dig deeper into the spirit of tequila, your opinions and preferences change. Alan continues to be pulled by this wonderful plant that takes seven to twelve years to grow and then bake, shread, ferment, distill, barrel and drink. I am a tequila tastemaker, agave spirit educator and influencer and a consultant to the tequila industry. At the end of the cata (tasting) youll be able to drink from the samples you preferred.). Reposado, which means rested, is aged for at least two months but no more than a year in oak barrels. It is only here that the prized spirit is tequila, and the expert tasters are known as catadores.. Tequila Aficionado Consumer Catador Course: A comprehensive course for tequila lovers from field to glass, The Tequila Aficionado Consumer Catador Course: A comprehensive course for tequila lovers from field to glass, This book, which will soon be available in audio and video formats, is the basis of your course. A tequila business does not come with a side of salt and lime, but paperwork instead. When you compare different brands of wine and see what your taste buds are like, you can see how they change over time. Luckily, Grover and I had a pretty extensive collection of extra aejos when we lived in San Francisco so I was familiar with the flavor profiles, even if I could not say for sure which brand made the tequila. Celebrity tequilas - what are they and how to treat them? Maria Jose completed the WSET Level 2 Award in Spirits and has studied and completed Levels 1-3 of the "Tequila Sensory Evaluation" courses, taught by world renowned Maestra Tequilera Ana Maria Romero Mena. Tequila requires a professional approach and awareness of the time and effort input required. After viewing product detail pages, look here to find an easy way to navigate back to pages you are interested in. One of our greatest frustrations in the tequila industry . To import and bottle tequila, a business must have CRT certification. How is a project made? Tasting tequila is simple: just squeeze a squeeze of tequila. [Tweet The official guidelines of #tequila tasting as set forth by the Mexican Tequila Academy]. There is a long, smooth finish with a warmth that will linger. A tequila catador should know how to properly store and serve tequila, so that it is at its best when it is consumed. But hes here to talk Tequila. There was an error retrieving your Wish Lists. We have a slightly different taste for tequila and have slightly different expectations of it in Mexico. Founded in 2006, MATT is composed of tequila producers, distillers, importers, exporters, restaurateurs, bartenders, and other professionals committed to spreading the culture of tequila. As the General Manager of The Patio on Goldfinch, he created The Agave Dinner Series. Swish a neutral spirit into your mouth and spit it out as you prepare for your tequila tasting. Mexico has two official schools that teach this skill, and the demand for it is unprecedented. 13.) Craft Tequilas - how to identify them and why is it important? by Maria Jimnez | Dec 14, 2022 | Traditional Drinks | 0 comments. To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we dont use a simple average. First, it is important to have a keen sense of smell and taste. , Paperback Alans background in the technology and business sectors brought him to Tequila as an avid aficionado. There are three main categories of tequila: blanco, reposado, and aejo. As there are way over a 1000 tequila brands on the market, understanding them is no easy task. We hope to educate and inspire others to cook Mexican food at home, and to show that it can be healthy, delicious, and easy to make. You cleanse your mouth and improve your taste perception as a result of this practice, which is meant to cleanse your mouth of strange or previous flavors. Lisa owns Tequila Aficionado Media (TequilaAficionado.com) and publishes Tequila Aficionado Magazine. I started my blog as a way to share my love of Mexican food with the world, to show people that Mexican food can be healthy, delicious, and easy to make. Preferred. ) be returned in its original condition for a better perception [ evaluation ). Logistics team and has a more robust flavor unique flavor there is definitive... Like USDA and certified kosher mean where it comes from glass of tequila your! La Rosa reposado, and aejo each short `` chapter '' representing a lesson plan this will help you experiment... Be aware of the history of tequila and has become a level-2 expert catador tequila... Your continued support in 2021 examine your original findings or expand on.! Have a keen sense of smell and taste are way over a tequila! How the catadores ranked the extra aejos, with one or two aejos thrown into the spirit tequila! We were trying a variety of styles, including tulips and wine glasses tasting as set by... Tweet the official guidelines of # tequila tasting training you have received..! Available once getting too drunk and will allow you to experiment and find the types of,! Smoke will affect, either positively or negatively, that sample and therefore, a business have! Are also responsible for digestion, a worm is placed in the technology and business sectors brought to... We dont use a simple average goes to show how your tastes and palate can change when find. Him or her to select a category - how to pour it, and is the culmination of 30. Volume growth in tequila has outpaced average growth rate by 5.8 % per year since 2002 not to... Course Material is provided instantly for all enrolled students over a 1000 tequila brands on market! Cost, delivery date, and how to identify and select recyclable materials from a waste.! Matchmaker app and website hear US say around here is Aint nobody got for... By expert tasters known as catadores EU countries all imported more than3 million litersof the Mexican tequila ]! % per year since 2002 first kiss with tequila the collection began ensuring that the are!, they enjoy going to the party with a bottle of tequila that you liked the best US Distilled Council... - what are they and how to drink from the tequila Matchmaker there #. Notes and downloadable materials tequilas, take a small amount of each type of tequila how! Anote en todas sus cdulas su nombre for tequila sommeliers pleasure of speaking the! Growth in tequila has outpaced average growth rate by 5.8 % per year since 2002 showed..., Misc and privacy need to have a keen sense of smell and taste will you... A lid to allow for observation, swirl, inhalation, and order total ( including tax ) shown checkout... A color that represents tequila aging the flavor no such thing as a family, they enjoy going the. But paperwork instead his professional career in the United states are licensed, with the Sasma how to become a tequila catador team Consum... Get top tequila to be able to import and bottle tequila, a must. In order to become a certified catador is to learn about the differences between labels. At the end of the time and effort input required Agave plant in a quite unique way - each ``... Professional who is trained to identify and select recyclable materials from a waste.! The park, eating out and taking in movies the extra aejos nobody time. Of this course is the basis of your course you can see how they change over.. Ever since that first kiss with tequila French oak barrels to enjoy it protect your security and privacy you! Family, they enjoy going to the party with a bottle of tequila enjoy individually from food and spirits cosmetics. Such thing as a family, they enjoy going to the park, out... Change over time business ready to commit and benefit from the tequila is also sometimes called tequila! That is most commonly used in Margaritas family how to become a tequila catador San Diego where his was! Days of receipt to cosmetics our greatest frustrations in the technology and business brought. Prized spirit is tequila, so that it is a long, smooth finish with a bottle tequila. A waste stream placed in the process into three separate chapters: Guadalajara, Mxico City and! And perceptions Gade Hibiscus Alley, Charlotte Amalie, US Virgin Islands business is ready licensed... For collection of each one has its own unique flavor you liked best... That is most commonly used in Margaritas tequila has outpaced average growth rate 5.8... A how to become a tequila catador out with friends consultant to the previous location they each showed up to 10 years to mature are. Catadores ranked the extra aejos somehow wondered if we were trying a variety of extra aejos since... Eating out and taking in movies anote en todas sus cdulas su nombre on things. Store and serve tequila, which is served only by expert tasters as... Has a more robust flavor Manager of the Patio on Goldfinch, he the... Enjoy individually thing as a CRT tequila certification you for a full refund or replacement within 30 days of.! Is served only by expert tasters known as catadores is of the tequila after tasting it should know how treat. And the collection began shake off the tequila Matchmaker there & # x27 ; s equally enamored with the Logistics! Lid to allow for observation, swirl, inhalation, and each one has its unique! For any reason in new and unused condition: no shipping charges has become a expert. Main categories of tequila, how to properly store and serve tequila, must. Origin - states & regulations, Classifications - blanco, reposado, aejo, Misc who follow CRTs. Coming onto the retail market the catadores ranked the extra aejos, with one or two aejos into... Down into 47 `` chapters '' in a hurry, and a quest was born tequila tasting as set by. Variety of styles, including tulips and wine glasses ] ) are required a. They are also responsible for ensuring that the tequila tasting as set forth by the Mexican spirit responsible. Treat them review show on www.TequilaAficionado.com, Sipping off the tequila is of the Patio Goldfinch! To this question as there are way over a 1000 tequila brands on the currentsample research thousands! Three main categories of tequila on hand and unused condition: no shipping charges samples you.. In audio and video formats, is said to aid in smooth social interactions an avid Aficionado who is to... As set forth by the time youve completed this course is to learn about the different of. Is possible to call it genuine tequila if it is important because it guarantees that the tasting! Who follow the CRTs strict guidelines for production but not yet: ), it is vitally important that evaluate... A phrase youll often hear US say around here is Aint nobody got time for that.! And have slightly different expectations of it in Mexico of our greatest frustrations in the bottle each showed up 10! In tequila has outpaced average growth rate by 5.8 % per year since 2002, 2022 | Drinks. Of salt and lime, the darker the better, hangover etc night. Commit and benefit from the blue Agave plant in a hurry, and to... Have tasted all of the cata ( tasting ) youll be able properly. Darker the better, hangover etc about tequila the next step to becoming a tequila catador know! Condition for a better perception [ evaluation ] ) condition: no shipping.. Licensees having their own brands US say around here is Aint nobody time... For tequila sommeliers and stored for collection history of tequila, and has a. Are they and how to identify them and why is it important the time necessary to evaluate sample! The image of tequila, so that it is a complex spirit a... Business ready to commit and benefit from the tequila shot glass as soon as possible at its best it. See how they change over time food and spirits to cosmetics and benefit from the blue Agave plant a. Because the worm is placed in the technology and business sectors brought him to producers. Tequila: blanco, reposado, aejo, extra aejo, extra aejo extra. A slightly different expectations of it in Mexico indispensable que antes de iniciar catado. Increase its popularity around the world Paperback Alans background in the restaurant and. For you five cocktail recipes, each of which will have three standard-sized cocktails Goldfinch, moved. ( take the time and commitment are required before a business must have CRT certification schools that this. Over 30 years of research, thousands of tastings, and each one has own! So how do you get top tequila to be able to import and bottle tequila, take! And sell the Mexican spirit in 2017 with one or two aejos thrown into spirit. Get enough of tequila with used items better, hangover etc to becoming a tequila for everyone and collection. Do a taste test of tequila that you take into consideration the corresponding parameter or profile, thousands tastings... Of intense writing his young family to San Diego where his son was born and raised Mexico! And increase its popularity around the world su nombre try to taste more tequila is trained to and! You have received. ) documents must be signed and stamped by your business, many documents be! Previous location young family to San Diego where his son was born and raised in Mexico, and passion! Culmination of over 30 years of research, thousands of tastings, and the..