Agave wine is at the top of alcoholic beverages in Mexico while its popularity is gradually taking off in the United States of America. It is a choice similar in taste and texture to traditional tequila, but with significant differences in alcohol content and nutritional benefits.
In the following lines, you will study in detail everything that might concern you about this particular wine and you will answer your questions about its similarities and differences from the famous tequila.
What Is Agave Wine?
The term “agave” is broad and includes alcoholic beverages such as mezcal, tequila, and a host of other lesser-known, distilled from different species of the agave plant. Agave wine is an enhanced aloe vera preparation resulting from the fermentation of blue agave and is enriched with Blanco tequila. It is a traditional Mexican product known and loved all over the world.
Although of similar origin to the famous tequila -as they are both collected from the blue agave plant-, they have significant differences both in taste and in their final appearance. Agave wine can be sold in the US from stores without an alcohol license, due to its low alcohol content.
You can also find it in 100% De Agave and Mixto form. It is a classic ingredient in traditional Mexican daisies that is often said to be superior to the famous tequila.
How Is It Made?
Agave wine contains an extremely laborious preparation process, but in the end, it will surely compensate you. Weber Blue Agave plants are used for its preparation, which before the harvest must have gone through a long maturation process, of about 10 years. The process of making this special wine is similar to that of tequila.
It is preceded by the harvest of the mature plant and is followed by its cooking in ovens of huge dimensions so that the sugars are released from the plant. The aquamanile or “honey water” is then sucked from the plant, with the help of special crushing cylinders, under the name “Molinas”. The aguamiel distillate is fermented between 6-10 ABV.
The following is the critical stage of differentiation of tequila from agave wine. In the tequila, the fermented aguamiel is removed and distilled. In agave wine, the aquamanile is filtered and 100% de agave Blanco tequila is added to it at 55% ABV to “ferment” the wine at the critical indication of 24% ABV.
In the wine, we will buy we always look at the label and look for the indication “100 de agave”. If we do not find it, then our wine is made with a neutral distillate, in addition to tequila. Fermented aguamiel is mostly fortified in agave wine, with a cheap blend of grain extract, which makes the difference.
What About Tequila?
Genuine Mexican tequila is made with the unique blue agave or “agave tequila” as it is commonly called. This plant is not a cactus and is quite succulent.
The official name of tequila will only be given to blue agave crops located in the Jalisco of Mexico, Michoacan, Tamaulipas, Guanajuato, and Nayarit.
Blue Agave
It is a plant native to Mexico, and the only species from which tequila and agave wine can be made. It is a difficult crop that requires constant care and treatment to be efficient and of high quality. The plant is cut 7 years after planting and must have sufficient reserves of inulin, a substance from which sugars will be produced.
After several years of growth, the plant develops a beautiful flower which is removed immediately to detune the plant and produce extra inulin. Essentially you have to prevent the plant from being sacrificed from flowering. Blue agave should stop growing normally, and plants from cut shoots should not bloom. Agave is a plant with 199 different species in Mexico, while blue or blue agave is officially cultivated by law.
This has its drawbacks, among which the development of diseases in the plant with the impossibility of development on its part and treatment of underlying diseases. A typical example is “La Sida De Agave” which causes serious damage to the cultivation of Blue Agave.
What Does It Taste Like?
Agave wine resembles diluted tequila in taste, however, it has a more special aftertaste that is noticeable on your palate. Tequila and the wine in question can come from the same plant, however, each has its unique taste and sensitivity. Agave wine is lighter with a delicate taste.
Sweetness
It is an alcoholic beverage quite sweet like honey, with a lighter and thinner texture. It is sweeter than sugar, having lost the bitter aftertaste of artificial sweeteners. Agave nectar is known to vegan consumers who use it as an alternative to honey.
Does It Taste Like Tequila?
They have several similarities in taste, however, the initiates of the genre will easily understand the differences and the special texture of each drink. In terms of their taste profile. The tequilas have a heavy lemonade and a floral finish with strong notes of agave.
What Makes It Unique?
Agave wine is produced by fermentation of the juice of the same name and it contains much less alcohol compared to tequila, which is produced by distilling the same material.
Features
Color
This is an excellent wine with a unique amber color, resulting from its unique blend of ingredients. This natural wine is not tequila and can be produced at a much lower cost. You can also find it in blue, but it is an artificial color, as its natural appearance is amber.
Alcohol Content
Agave wine is a low-alcohol tequila alternative. Its content ranges from 7.5-24% with the average market price being 17% alcohol by volume.
Fortification
Agave wine, like port wine, can be enhanced with other distilled spirits. In this case, his alcohol increases from 7.5% of his initial record to 20-24% alcohol by weight.
Mixing
In the market, you can find plenty of imitation agave wine, such as faux margaritas. These products are usually promoted by companies that do not have a license for alcohol and are sometimes sold in individual packages of one portion.
How Does It Differ From Tequila?
Agave wine is a lighter and healthier version of tequila. They can be made from the same plant, however, the wine version contains less alcohol, due to its preparation through the fermentation process. By law, tequila must contain blue agave (or weber blue agave) and be produced in only one of the 5 Mexican States.
The most famous of these is Jalisco with tequila production exceeding 90% of the category. The other 4 are Guanajuato, Michoacán de Ocampo, Nayarit and Tamaulipas. For the agave to reach the desired sugar content for the production of tequila, the plant must mature for 7-12 years.
FAQs
Is Agave Wine High In Sugar?
Pure agave tequila is very low in calories due to its low sugar and carbohydrate content. If you do not add sugary juices, you will be able to consume a healthy drink, without this meaning that excesses are allowed.
Can You Mix It With Tequila?
Yes, it can be made in the right shaker for a Friday cocktail. Ideally combined with lime juice and tequila.
What Is 100 De Agave Wine?
This is a wine fermented with blue agave and fortified with Blanco tequila.
What Is An Agave Wine Cocktail?
A typical example of a cocktail from Blue Agave Wine is undoubtedly La Catrina Margaritas. This is an alcoholic beverage prepared 100% with imported Blue Agave. Combines beautifully with cane sugar, natural lime juice, and is colored with real fruit. This way you will have a light and healthy Margarita drink, prepared with taste and the love of nature.
How Strong Is Agave Wine?
This is a light and healthy version of tequila. With an average alcohol content of 17%, it can be consumed in balanced quantities even by people who are not used to drinking alcohol. Of course, you can buy agave wine in specialized stores with content much lower or higher than the one mentioned above.
Does It Need To Be Refrigerated?
No need to store it in the refrigerator provided that environmental conditions do not exceed 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Even after opening, you can store the package in a sealed closet, avoiding the refrigerator and moisture. You may gradually notice a deepening of its color, but this does not make it unsafe to consume.
Does It Ever Go Bad?
Agave wine is difficult to spoil. If left unsealed in a dry, dark place, it may last indefinitely. Once opened, it can be safely consumed within three years, as long as it is not exposed to moisture and exogenous factors.
Is Agave Wine The Healthiest Alcoholic Beverage?
Agave wine is healthier than Tequila. But when it comes to healthy alcoholic beverages, then at the top is red wine, which is full of antioxidants that promote the health of your heart and act as cell protectors. The list is followed by white wine and then all the rest.
