Weinbau in Mexiko

2012-06-11T04:00:07Z

Davidfreesefan23:

{{For|the Fountains of Wayne song "Mexican Wine"|Welcome Interstate Managers}}
[[Image:Grapes during pigmentation 2.jpg|thumb|240px|right|Grapes during pigmentation in [[Baja California]], Mexico.]]
'''Mexican wine''' and wine making began with the [[Spanish conquest of the Aztec Empire|arrival of the Spanish]] in the 16th century, when they brought vines from Europe to modern day Mexico, the oldest wine-growing region in the Americas. Although there were indigenous grapes before the Spanish conquest, the Spaniards found that Spanish grapevines also did very well in the colony of [[New Spain]] (Mexico) and by the 17th century wine exports from Spain to the [[New World]] fell. In 1699, [[Charles II of Spain]] prohibited wine making in Mexico, with the exception of wine for Church purposes.<ref name="delsol">{{cite news |title= A toast to Mexico's undiscovered wine country |first=Christine |last=Delsol |url= http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/g/a/2009/04/15/mexicomix041509.DTL |newspaper=San Francisco Chronicle |location=San Francisco, CA |date=2009-04-15 |accessdate=2009-12-07 }}</ref> From then until [[Mexican War of Independence|Mexico’s Independence]], wine was produced in Mexico only on a small scale.<ref name="chiff">{{cite web |url= http://www.chiff.com/a/wine-baja.htm |title= The Wines of Baja Renewing the History of Mexico's Wines |accessdate=2009 December 7 }}</ref> After Independence, wine making for personal purposes was no longer prohibited and production rose, especially in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Many other European immigrant groups helped with the comeback of wine in Mexico. However, the [[Mexican Revolution]] set back wine production, especially in the north of the country.<ref name="vendimias">{{cite web |url= http://www.thewinesofmexico.com/ |title= The Wines of Mexico |accessdate=2009 December 7 }}</ref> Wine production in Mexico has been rising in both quantity and quality since the 1980s, although competition from foreign wines and 40% tax on the product makes competing difficult within Mexico. Mexico is not traditionally a wine-drinking country, but rather prefers [[Beer in Mexico|beer]], [[tequila]] and [[mezcal]]. Interest in Mexican wine, especially in the major cities and tourists areas (along with the introduction into the US on a small scale), has grown along with Mexican wines’ reputation throughout the world. Many Mexican companies have received numerous awards. <ref name="booth">{{cite news |title= Violence Keeps Visitors From Mexico Wine Country |first=William |last=Booth |url= http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/04/24/AR2009042401570.html |newspaper=Washington Post |location=Washington, D.C. |date=2009-04-26 |accessdate=2009-12-07 }}</ref> Various wine producers from Mexico have won international awards for their products.<ref name="vendimias"/>

There are three major wine producing areas in Mexico, with the [[Baja California]] area producing 90% of Mexico’s wine.<ref name="chiff"/> This area is promoted heavily for wine tourism with the “Ruta del Vino” (Wine Route), which connects over fifty wineries with the [[Ensenada, Baja California|port of Ensenada]] and the border and the annual Vendimia harvest festival.<ref name="rutavino">{{cite journal |year=2009 |title= Mexico Desconocido Guia Especial La Ruta del Vino de Baja California |trans_title=Mexico Desconocido Special Guide The Wine Route of Baja California |journal=Mexico Desconocido |publisher= Impresiones Aéreas SA de CV |location=Mexico City |issn=1870 9397 |pages=24–86 }}</ref>

==History of wine making in Mexico==
[[File:WinePeñaBernalEMontes.JPG|thumb|Vineyard in Ezequiel Montes, Querétaro with the Peña de Bernal in the background]]
According to legend, [[Hernán Cortés]] and his soldiers quickly depleted the wine they brought with them from Spain celebrating the conquest of the Aztec Empire in 1521. Because of this, one of Cortés’ first acts as governor was to order the planting of [[grapevine]]s throughout [[New Spain]].<ref name="delsol"/>

In the early colonial era, ships arriving to Mexico and Spain’s other colonies carried grapevines.<ref name="delsol"/> In certain areas, Spaniards found a native type of grapevine, but it did not lend itself well to winemaking.<ref name="vendimias"/> However, vines from Europe grew very well here, and they were planted in monasteries and haciendas in the states of [[Puebla]], Coahuila, [[Zacatecas]] and others.<ref name="delsol"/><ref name="chiff"/> In 1597, [[Casa Madero]] was founded by [[Lorenzo García]] in the town of [[Santa María de las Parras]] (Holy Mary of the Grapevines) as the oldest winery in the Americas.<ref name="chiff"/> This area of Coahuila soon became a major wine producer due to its climate and good supplies of water. The vines that were established here were later exported to the [[Napa Valley]] in California and South America.<ref name="vendimias"/>

[[Vineyard]]s in the Americas, especially New Spain were successful enough that wine exports from Spain to America plummeted.<ref name="delsol"/> Because of this, Charles II decided to prohibit the production of wine in Spain’s colonies, especially Mexico, except for the making of wine for the Church in 1699. That prohibition stayed in force until Mexico’s Independence.<ref name="delsol"/><ref name="vendimias"/><ref name="finn">{{cite news |title= MEXICO: Striving To Make A Better Wine |first=Maria |last=Finn |url=http://abcnews.go.com/Exclusiva/story?id=3958994&page=1 |newspaper=ABC News |date=2007-12-06 |accessdate=2009-12-07 }}</ref> However, many missionaries refused to abide by the edict and continued to produce wine for normal consumption on a small scale.<ref name="chiff"/> One of these was [[Jesuit]] priest [[Juan Ugarte]], who planted the first vines in Baja California when he arrived at the [[Loreto, Baja California Sur|Loreto]] mission in 1701.<ref name="delsol"/>

From the end of the 18th century to the middle of the 19th, most wine production was done by clergy. The Santo Tomás Mission, founded in Baja California by [[Jesuit]] priests in 1791, reactivated larger scale production of wine in Mexico. In 1843, [[Dominican Order|Dominican]] priests began growing grapes at the nearby Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe del Norte mission, located in what is now called [[Guadalupe, Baja California|Valle de Guadalupe]]. This valley is one of the few in the world, along with others such as the Napa Valley and the [[Rhone Valley]], in which premium wine grapes can be grown.<ref name="chiff"/>

In the 1850s, as part of Mexico’s [[Reform War]], many of the Church’s land holdings were taken by the state. Most of the small wineries tended by missionaries were eventually abandoned. In 1888, the former lands of the Santo Tomás Mission were sold to a private group, which established the first large-scale commercial winery and the earliest winery in continuous operation, called Bodegas Santo Tomás.<ref name="chiff"/><ref name="finn"/> Initially, the wine made by the group was sweet and of low quality.<ref name="finn"/>

During the period of Mexican history known as the [[Porfiriato]] (1880–1910), wine production in Mexico increased and spread to other regions of the country.<ref name="vendimias"/> In the Baja California area in 1904, Russian immigrants known as [[Molokan]]s, a pacifist religious group fleeing service in the [[Imperial Russian Army|Tsar's army]], purchased {{convert|100|acre|ha}} of land and began producing wine grapes. They encouraged others to do the same, helping the area acquire a reputation for making good wine.<ref name="reagan">{{cite web |url= http://www.winesimple.com/featurelink3ArchiveMexico.htm |title= Ay! Carumba! Get Ready for Mexico |first=Thomas J. |last=Reagan Jr. |publisher=Wine Simple |accessdate=2009 December 7 }}</ref> However, winemaking was set back by the [[Mexican Revolution]] as many lands were abandoned by their owners or destroyed by the rebels.<ref name="vendimias"/>

Wine making in Mexico began to experience a comeback in the 1980s,<ref name="vendimias"/><ref name="booth"/> with wine production peaking at four million cases a year in the latter part of the decade.<ref name="booth"/> However, the 1980s also opened Mexico’s small wine market to foreign competition, which hurt it.<ref name="wells">{{cite news |title= Mexico's 'boutique wine' renaissance |first=Matthew |last=Wells |url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/4555238.stm |newspaper=BBC |location=London, England |date=2006-01-02 |accessdate=2009-12-07 }}</ref> Baja California, which produces 90% of Mexico’s wine, only sells about 1.5 million cases a year today, but the quality of this wine is generally higher.<ref name="booth"/>

Since the 1980s, wine production, especially in Baja California, has been steadily improving with better tending of vineyards and incorporating modern advancements in winemaking.<ref name="reagan"/> Most wineries here are young, established only since the 1980s and 1990s,<ref name="finn"/> but some enthusiasts are calling the Valley of Guadalupe area the “next Napa Valley.”<ref name="wells"/> The wine industry is growing rapidly and the quality of the wine is improving.<ref name="heeger">{{cite news |title= Mexico’s wine industry growing rapidly ... in quantity and quality |first=Jack |last=Heeger |url=http://www.napavalleyregister.com/articles/2007/02/08/features/food_and_wine/doc45cb2d979c411639285759.txt |newspaper=Napa Valley Register |location=California |date=2007-02-08 |accessdate=2009-12-07 }}</ref> Mexican wine can be found in 38 countries in the world and many vintages have won international awards.<ref name="vendimias"/>

==Wine consumption in Mexico today==
[[File:Cavas Freixenet, Querétaro.JPG|thumb|250px|left|Freixenet Caves in Querétaro.]]
Despite Mexico’s Spanish heritage, it is not a wine-drinking country, but rather a beer and tequila country.<ref name="booth"/> Average wine consumption per capita is only two glasses a year.<ref name="madero">{{cite web |url= http://www.diariodelvino.com/notas3/noticia1024_13ago07.htm |title= Casa Madero, la bodega mas antigua de América |publisher=Diario del Vino |location=Mexico |language=Spanish |trans_title=Casa Madero, the oldest winery in America |accessdate=2009 December 7 }}</ref> The Mexican government imposes taxes of 40% per bottle, making it hard to compete with beer and tequila.<ref name="wells"/> However, consumption of wine in Mexico is growing, with imports of wine in 2005 being nearly four times higher than ten years before.<ref name="alimex">{{cite web |url=http://www.alimentaria-mexico.com/files/EL_VINO_ALIMEX2008_EN.pdf|title= The Wine Market in Mexico |publisher=Mexico Alimentaria |accessdate=2009 December 7 }}</ref> Most wine is consumed in major cities such as [[Mexico City]], [[Monterrey]], [[Guadalajara, Mexico|Guadalajara]] and [[Puebla, Puebla|Puebla]],<ref name="madero"/> and is also commonly found in the tourist areas, such as [[Cancún]] and [[Cabo San Lucas]].<ref name="booth"/><ref name="finn"/>

Most of the wine consumed in Mexico is imported from places like Europe, [[Chile]], [[Australia]] and [[New Zealand]], with about forty percent coming from domestic wineries.<ref name="alimex"/> However, wine consumption continues to grow with one factor being increased interest in it by the middle classes, especially in Mexico City.<ref name="finn"/> As the reputation of Mexican wines increases, preference for native wines is also increasing in Mexico. At one time, no sophisticated restaurant in Mexico City would serve Mexican wine. Today, newer restaurants always include selections from Mexico on their wine lists.<ref name="booth"/><ref name="wells"/>

While wine drinking is not widespread in Mexico, the consumption of [[brandy]], or distilled wine is. Brandy, especially the [[sherry]] variety, is the most widespread [[distilled liquor]] in Mexico.<ref name ="20min">{{cite news |title=México retira definitivamente sus aranceles a la importación de brandy de Jerez |url=http://www.20minutos.es/noticia/397653/Jerez/brandy/mexico |newspaper=20 Minutes Noticias de Jerez |location=Spain |accessdate=2009 December 8 |language=Spanish |trans_title=Mexico indefinitely withdraws tariffs on Jerez brandy }}</ref> It is even more popular than rum or tequila.<ref name="goldammer">{{cite news |title=Mexican brandy market offers spirited sales opportunity |first=Ted |last=Goldammer |url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m3723/is_n12_v5/ai_14749798/ |newspaper=AgExporter |year=1993 |month=December |accessdate=2009 December 8 }}</ref> Mexico is the fourth largest consumer of brandy in the world behind the Philippines, Germany and Equatorial Guinea.<ref name="lavoz">{{cite news |title=El brandy aumentó sus ventas en México un 51% |url=http://www.lavozdigital.es/jerez/20080515/jerez/brandy-aumento-ventas-mexico-20080515.html |newspaper=La Voz |location=Buenos Aires |date=2008-05-15 |accessdate=2009-12-08 |language=Spanish |trans_title=Brandy sales rise 51% in Mexico }}</ref> The last of Mexico's tariffs on imported brandy were lifted in the first decade of the 21st century, with sales and consumption expected to rise.<ref name ="20min"/>

==Wine producing areas and vintages in Mexico==
[[File:El vino en México.png|thumb|States that produce grapes (light purple) and wine (dark purple)]]
Nearly {{convert|6200|acre|ha}} are planted to grapes in Mexico. Principal white wine grapes include [[chenin blanc]], [[chardonnay]], [[sauvignon blanc]] and [[viognier]], and reds include all five [[Bordeaux wine|Bordeaux varietals]] plus [[Grenache]], [[tempranillo]], [[dolcetto]], [[syrah]] and [[durif|petite sirah]].<ref name="heeger"/>

There are three areas in Mexico where wine grapes are grown. The North area includes Baja California and [[Sonora]]; the [[Comarca Lagunera|La Laguna]] area is in Coahuila and [[Durango]] and the Center area consists of Zacatecas, [[Aguascalientes]] and [[Querétaro]]. Most of these areas have a fairly warm climate, which tend to make Mexican wines spicy, full-bodied and [[ripe (wine)|ripe]]; however, Northern Baja’s humid winters, dry warm summers and sea breezes allow for most of the same varietals produced in California.<ref name="delsol"/>
The La Laguna region is the oldest wine-making area of Mexico, and straddles the states of Coahuila and Durango, with grapes thriving in the Parras Valley. This valley is a [[microclimate (wine)|microclimate]] in the desert area of these states at an altitude of 1,500 meters.<ref name="madero"/> The valley has warm days, cool nights and low humidity which inhibits insect and [[fungus]] damage to the vines. Mountain springs provide sufficient water in this arid part of Mexico.<ref name="delsol"/> The temperature difference of {{convert|12|C-change}} between day and night is also beneficial to the grapes.<ref name="madero"/> The valley primarily produces reds based on Bordeaux such as [[cabernet sauvignon]], Shiraz, [[merlot]] and Tempranillo. Some whites are produced as well.<ref name="delsol"/> More than 400 families come to the Parras Valley in August and September for the annual grape harvest called “la vendimia.”<ref name="vanguardia">{{cite news |title= Casa Madero, a la vanguardia en técnicas de clonación vitivinícola |url= http://www.jornada.unam.mx/2006/12/14/index.php?section=gastronomia&article=a08n1gas |newspaper=La Jornada |publisher=UNAM |location=Mexico City |date=2006 December 14 |accessdate=2009-12-07 |language=Spanish |trans_title=Casa Madero, at the vanguard of grapevine cloning techniques }}</ref>

The most important winery here is Casa Madero, the oldest winery in the [[New World]], founded in 1597 as Hacienda San Lorenzo. This label includes a range of varietals, with its chardonnay, chenin blanc and Syrah winning awards. Its brandies are considered among the best in Mexico. Another important winery here is Bodegas Ferrino, founded by a 19th century Italian immigrant near the town of [[Cuatro Ciénegas]].<ref name="delsol"/>

Another interesting winery is located in [[Tarahumara]] country at the edge of the [[Copper Canyon]] in Chihuahua, in a small valley named [[Urique (municipality)|Cerocahui]]. In 1680, Father Juan María de Salvaterra arrived here to establish a mission. Later, Jesuits brought cuttings of French and Spanish vines. When the Jesuits were forced out of Mexico in the 18th century, the Cerocahui vineyards were destroyed except for a few cuttings secretly kept and grown by the José María Sánchez family. These vines were cared for by the family until the late 20th century, when the last of the family died without heirs. The gardener for the family saved cuttings from the vines and with the Misión Hotel and planted them at what was the Girls Boarding School. Since then the town has had over 4,000 vines under cultivation and a winery has been established at the hotel.<ref name="lamkin">{{cite web |url=http://www.global-writes.com/mexico/index.html?-Token.article=110&-Token.index=1 |title= Cerocahui, Mexico: Tarahumara Indians, Jesuits and Wine |first=John |last=Lamkin |publisher=Global Writes |accessdate=2009 December 7 }}</ref>

The Center region consists of areas in Querétaro, Zacatecas and Aguascalientes. Most vineyards are found at an altitude of {{convert|6500|ft|m}}, and most of the wine produced here is of the sparkling variety. However, other types such as [[Sauvignon blanc]], [[St-Emilion (wine)|St. Emilion]], cabernet sauvignon and [[pinot noir]] can be found as well. The best-known vintner here is the Mexican operation of Spain’s [[Freixenet]] winery. This label is known for dry sparkling wines called “vinos espumosos” (foamy wines), which come in satiny black bottles and based on [[Dom Pérignon (wine)|Dom Pérignon]]’s champagne fermentation methods. Some still red wines are also produced. Another major producer is Companía Vinícola Los Eucaliptos in the town of [[Ezequiel Montes, Querétaro|Ezequiel Montes]]. A locally known label is Vinos Hidalgo La Madrileña in the [[San Juan del Río]] region.<ref name="delsol"/> Los Azteca Hacienda Mexicana dates back to the 18th century which recently became a winery. Another vintner called La Ronda specializes in growing grapes to make [[Kosher wine]] sold in certain markets in Mexico City.<ref name="ammeson">{{cite web |url=http://www.mexconnect.com/articles/3149-the-magic-of-bernal-queretaro-wine-opals-and-historic-charm |title= The magic of Bernal, Queretaro: wine, opals and historic charm |first=Jane |last=Ammeson |date=2009-03-16 |publisher=Mexconnect |accessdate=2009-12-07 }}</ref>

Most vineyards in Zacatecas are in the municipalities of [[Ojocaliente]] and [[Valle de la Macarena]]. This area has very cool winters and fairly cool summers, which combined with its moisture-holding clay soils is best for fast-maturing grapes with a high sugar content. A number of European red varieties such as cabernet sauvignon and merlot are grown here as well as American varieties such as [[zinfandel]], Black Spanish and Lenoir. Some white grapes also do well here. Wineries here are smaller operations than in other parts of the country, with the best known local label being Casa Cachola just outside of [[Valle de las Arcinas]].<ref name="delsol"/>

[[File:Vino MonteXanic.jpg|thumb|Bottles of Monte Xanic wine]]
The North zone produces ninety percent of Mexico’s wines today, with almost all of that coming from three regions not far from the port city of Ensenada: the San Antonio de las Minas zone, which includes the Valley of Guadalupe, the San Vicente Valley and the Santo Tomás Valley.<ref name="delsol"/><ref name="chiff"/><ref name="reagan"/> This area is noted for its deep granite soils, warm sunny days, and nights cool due to breezes from the nearby Pacific Ocean. The area is ideal for both red and white wines, and one of the few locales in the world that can grow grapes for world-class wines.<ref name="chiff"/><ref name="booth"/> Grapes for Baja California wines are also grown in areas in neighboring Sonora state.<ref name="chiff"/> The varieties of red wine produced in the Baja California region are Cabernet Sauvignon, [[Ruby Cabernet]], Zinfandel Grenache and Mission. The white wines are Chenin Blanc, [[Palomino (grape)|Palomino]], [[Riesling]], Sauvignon Blanc, [[Sémillon]], Saint Emilion and [[Málaga (wine)|Malaga]].<ref name="chiff"/> There are three major wine producers in this area, Vinos L.A. Cetto in the Calafia Valley, Vinos Pedro Domecq and Bodegas de Santo Tomás in the Santo Tomás Valley. All have had wines that won international competitions including the Double Gold won by [http://winesfrommexico.homestead.com/files/LA_Cetto_Wines_of_ISW_March_2010.pdf L.A. Cetto] at the San Francisco International Wine Competition in May 2009. Many of these wines are now exported to Europe, the U.S. and Canada, and most wineries offer tours and wine tasting.<ref name="mexonline">{{cite web |url=http://www.mexonline.com/ensenada/ensenada-wineries.htm |title= Ensenada Wineries, Festivals and Wine Tasting |publisher=Mexico Online |accessdate=2009 December 7 }}</ref>

Most of Mexico’s wine innovation occurs in the Ensenada area, in the form of the so-called “''boutique''” producers such as Casa de Piedra, whose first vintage was produced in 1997. This operation only produces one white, called Piedra del Sol and a red called Vino de Piedra. Another small producer is Viña de Liceaga, which produces reds.<ref name="reagan"/> Don Miller owns a ranch and winery called Casa Adobe Guadalupe with a wine school here to help small producers make a profit and draw tourists. There is even one organic wine producer by the name of Doña Lupe.<ref name="wells"/>

==Wine tourism and festivals in Mexico==
[[File:WinePetiteSirahCetto.jpg|thumb|Bottle of L.A. Cetto wine]]
Wine tourism in Mexico is centered on the Norte region, although wine festivals exist in the other wine-producing regions. The “Ruta del Vino” (Wine Route) connects the wine producing areas of the municipality of Ensenada, such as the Valley of Guadalupe, the Valley of Llano Colorado, Valley of Santo Tomás and the Valley of San Vicente with the port city of Ensenada and the border cities of [[Tijuana]] and [[Tecate]]. The Route connects over fifty wineries, along with upscale restaurants, hotels, museums and other attractions of this part of Baja California state.<ref name="rutavino"/> The route is marked by “Ruta del Vino” signs on the roads and highways to promote the area for wine tourism, especially from the U.S. border.<ref name="booth"/>

Another major tourism draw is the Fiesta de la Vendimia (Vintage Festival), which takes place in Ensenada and the Valley of Guadalupe every year in August. The festivals include wine tasting and contests, winery tours, fishing tournaments, cook-offs, gourmet food and concerts. These events are sponsored and/or organized by the area’s wineries. Since the event occurs in the summer, temperatures can hover around {{convert|100|F-change}}.<ref name="chiff"/><ref name="dryden">{{cite web |url=http://mexidata.info/id2244.html |title= Fiestas de la Vendimia 2009 Schedule – Mexico's Annual Wine Festival |first= Steve |last=Dryden |date=2009-04-27 |publisher= MEXIDATA . INFO |accessdate=2009-12-07 }}</ref> Some of the events include “Noche de Cofradia en Ensenada”, which features wine and food tasting from about thirty wineries and restaurants, matching local wines with local culinary specialties. The annual Malagon Family Celebration is held on a {{convert|500|acre|ha|adj=on}} ranch, vineyard with winery and bed and breakfast. This event includes a horse show, live music, food and wine. The Concurso Internacional Ensenada Tierra del Vino wine competition is also held in the city. Perhaps the most unusual event is at Bibayoff Winery with Russian music, dancers, food and wines.<ref name="dryden"/>

However the drug war, which mostly takes place in border cities like Tijuana, has hurt this tourism to the area significantly as many U.S. tourists do not want to pass the border towns to get to the relatively calm wine valleys of Baja California.<ref name="delsol"/><ref name="booth"/>

The Parras Valley in Coahuila has held its Feria de la Uva y el Vino (Festival of Grapes and Wine) since 1945, centered on the town of [[Parras de la Fuente]]. The event showcases the area's wines as well as other local products such as handcrafts, candies, denim clothing and food. This event is generally held in June.<ref name="contreras">{{cite news |title=Buscan ‘exprimir’ la Feria de la Uva y el Vino 2009 |first=Holanda |last=Contreras |url=http://www.zocalo.com.mx/seccion/articulo/buscan-exprimir-la-feria-de-la-uva-y-el-vino-2009/ |newspaper=Zocalo Saltillo |location=Saltillo, Coahuila |date=2009-06-14 |accessdate=2009-12-08 |language=Spanish |trans_title=Looking to "squeeze" the Festival of Grapes and Wine }}</ref>

In the Center area, [[Tequisquiapan]], Querétaro sponsors an annual [[cheeses of Mexico|cheese]] and wine festival called the Feria Nacional del Queso y de Vino in the month of June. This event draws local, national and international participants to compete for prizes and provide samples to visitors. This part of Querétaro is not only in wine country, but very near the center of where most Mexican cheeses were developed. Wines featured at this event are sparkling wines, but chardonnays, sauvignon blanc, merlots, pinot noirs and cabernets are also available for tasting. Wines from other parts of Mexico and the world also appear here.<ref name="hursh">{{cite web |url= http://www.mexconnect.com/articles/3445-making-merry-in-may-mexico-s-national-cheese-and-wine-festival |title= Making merry in May: Mexico's National Cheese and Wine Festival |first=Karen |last=Hursh Graber |date=2009-05-10 |publisher=Mexconnect |accessdate=2009-12-07 }}</ref> A more local celebration in the same area is Querétaro's version of the Vendimia first harvest festival which occurs at various wineries in the state in July. The most notable events occur at the Viñedos La Redonda Winery near Tequisquiapan with music, wine tasting and competitions, gourmet food and a [[Mexican handcrafts and folk art|handcrafts]] exposition.<ref name="rotativo">{{cite news |title=Fiestas de la vendimia 2009 en Querétaro |url=http://rotativo.com.mx/turismo/fiestas_de_la_vendimia_2009_en_queretaro/731,11,15528,html |newspaper=Diario Rotativo |location=Querétaro |date=2009-06-17 |accessdate=2009-12-08 |language=Spanish |trans_title=Festival of Vendimia 2009 in Querétaro }}</ref>

Winefests in other parts of the country include the Cabo San Lucas Wine and Food Fest (http://www.cabowineandfoodfest.com/) and the Guadalajara Winefest in November (http://winefestmexico.com/WineFest/index.asp).

==See also==
<div style="float:right">
{{portal|Wine}}
</div>
*[[Mexican beer]]
*[[Mexican cuisine]]
*[[Mezcal]]
*[[Pulque]]
*[[Tequila]]

==References==
{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}

{{Wine by country}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Mexican Wine}}
[[Category:Mexican wine]]

[[ca:Vi de Mèxic]]
[[es:Vino de México]]
[[fr:Viticulture au Mexique]]
[[it:Viticoltura in Messico]]
[[nl:Wijnbouw in Mexico]]
[[no:Meksikansk vin]]

== External Links ==
* [http://blogs.loc.gov/law/2011/12/a-state-mandated-christmas-bonus/ A State Mandated Christmas Bonus] a blog post that references Mexican wine from the [[Law Library of Congress]].

Wikipedia - Benutzerbeiträge [de]

Weinbau in Mexiko