A Field Guide to Tequila: What It Is, Where Its From, and How to Taste It

(Hardback)

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For the Tequila Curious and the Tequila Connoisseur Alike, a Complete, Illustrated Guide to One of the Worlds Most Popular Spirits

Time to put away the shot glasstequila long ago left its spring break clichs in the dust. Today, it is not just a sophisticated global phenomenon but is poised to surpass vodka to become the number one spirit in the U.S. by sales. Which means theres no better time for A Field Guide to Tequila, the new bible on this popular spirit.
Whether youre already an aficionado who likes to slow-sip an artisanal extra-aejo or a margarita lover curious about your favorite drink and what makes it special, A Field Guide to Tequilatakes you step by step into everything that makes tequila tequila, from how it came about, to how its made, to how to select, taste, and serve it. Beginning with the origin of every bottle of tequilathe unique blue agave (which is actually much closer, biologically, to a lily than a cactus)its all here: The life cycle of the blue agave and the complex process of turning it into liquor (hint: Theres harvesting, steaming, roasting, andstill in use in one legendary distilleryworking mules). The five classes of tequila, including the unfortunate myth of blancos inferiority. How to read a tequila label. The seventeen tequila producers to know and brands you need to explore, from giants of the industry like Patrn and Jos Cuervo to traditionalists, artisans, and innovators, including Tapato, Siete Leguas, Ocho, G4, and Cava de Oro. The real deal with so many celebrity tequila brands, a phenomenon that started with Bing Crosby. How to set up a tequila tasting. A complete guide to tequila tourism, including dos and donts for visiting the town of Tequila, best times to go, essential stops, and a glossary of Spanish. Oh, and a recipe for a best-ever margarita, plus three other classic tequila cocktails, including the Rolling Stones favorite, the tequila sunrise.
With its striking visuals and appealing package,A Field Guide to Tequilais a go-to reference that felicitously also feels like a real gift bookand vice versa.

Reviews

Szczech leaves no stone unturned in this comprehensive guide to Mexicos most celebrated agave spirit. From his expert explanations of the nuts and bolts of production to his thoughtful exploration of industry trends and debunking of myths, he distills his knowledge and experience into an enjoyable read.A Field Guide to Tequila isa valuable resource for the serious agave enthusiast and the casual dabbler alike.Emma Janzen, Author of Mezcal: The History, Craft and Cocktails of the World's Ultimate Artisanal Spirit, and co-author of The Way of the Cocktail and The Bartender's Manifesto
A Field Guide to Tequilaoffers a profound yet accessible dive into the world of tequila. This much-anticipated book is replete with rich historical and cultural detail and offers fresh perspectives on tequila marketing, regulatory policies, and environmental concerns.Szczechsclose attention to the people and communities shaping, and shaped by, tequila sets hiswriting apart.A Field Guide to Tequilawill be an invaluable resource for aficionados and novices alike.Dr. Marie Sarita Gaytn, author of Tequila!: Distilling the Spirit of Mexico
Szczechdeftly navigates a vast landscape of information and presents it in a way thats rich with detail yet easy to understand. A definitive book on not only the spirit itself, but the stories of the people and the place that make tequila so special.Jeffrey Morgenthaler, author of The Bar Book and Drinking Distilled

Author Bio

CLAYTON J. SZCZECH is a writer and sociologist who has been studying and teaching about Mexican alcoholic beverages since 2006. He has operated the groundbreaking educational tour company Experience Agave since 2008. He cofounded La Cata, the first brand-independent tasting room in Tequila, Jalisco, in 2016. He has been featured in the Wall Street Journal, Los Angeles Times, Sunset, The Guardian, AFAR, Wine Enthusiast, Virtuoso Life, on CNN en Espaol, and on Amazons Distilling Mexico.He holds numerous certifications related to tequila and mezcal, is a permanent legal resident of Mexico, and is currently pursuing a doctorate at the University of Utah. His academic work focuses on the socioeconomic and environmental outcomes of Geographical Indication regimes, with an emphasis on Mexico. In 2023, he was selected as a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellow. A Field Guide to Tequila is his first book.