One of the most important missions at Dos Cuerpos is to understand the background of all our products, from who crafts them, why and how, but also the historical, social, and artistic aspects that our products have had. On this occasion, we want to share some curiosities with you so that you can delve deeper into the world of wine and learn 15 characteristics you probably didn't know about wine.
Grapes are the most cultivated fruits in the world, with over 10,000 varieties, although the most widely used grapes for making wine are limited to 30 varieties.
Mexico boasts perfect conditions for vineyards: Wine is produced in 14 states in Mexico, covering just under half of the national territory, including Baja California, Querétaro, San Luis PotosÃ; Jalisco, Sonora, Guanajuato; Zacatecas, Puebla, Chihuahua, Coahuila; Aguascalientes, Hidalgo, Michoacán, and Nuevo León. This diversity of regions also contributes to the variety of flavors in wines.
The amount of antioxidants in a glass of wine is the same as in 7 glasses of orange juice.
Unfortunately, in Mexico, the price-quality ratio is affected by the exorbitant taxes. Currently, according to El Financiero, wine bottles pay 26% of the IEPS (Special Tax on Production and Services) on the total tax and an additional 16% VAT, totaling 42% in taxes, plus a 4.5% consumer sales tax. Nevertheless, wine consumption in Mexico has doubled in just five years.
90% of the wine sold worldwide is not meant to be stored; it's intended to be enjoyed within the first 18 months of production. Many of our labels at Dos Cuerpos follow the same principle. Examples include Cruz, Retorno, Plata 9.25, Indomable, and Kruger's Nebbiolo.
There's a fear of wine known as oenophobia.
In our country, there are over 200 wineries dedicated to wine production, with 60% of them located in the Baja California region. This is why most of the vineyards we work with at Dos Cuerpos are in Ensenada, Baja California.
In ancient Greece, the host of a dinner would take the first sip of wine to assure guests it wasn't poisoned. This act of courtesy was accompanied by the phrase "to your health."
The first and most abundant grape in Mexico is the Mission grape. During the conquest era, the church and the monarchy owned the wine. The Mission grape, used by missionaries and early viticulturists in Mexico, was introduced by the Spanish crown. However, there were grapevines in Mexico before the arrival of the Spanish, though they were not suitable for wine production.
White wines can be made from red grapes, but not vice versa. This is because the color comes from the grape skins.
Wines made from naturally frozen grapes are highly unlikely in Mexico due to the country's climate. These wines, known as Ice wine in English and Eiswein in German, are produced in places with freezing temperatures.
A less explored technique in Mexico is aging wines at the bottom of the sea. This practice began when salvagers of sunken ships discovered that wines remained in good condition and developed additional salty nuances.
The colder the climate, the less sweetness in the wine; the warmer the climate, the less acidity. This rule applies both to terroir, which refers to the climate and soil where the grapes grow, and to the moment of serving the wine.
Ten grape varieties represent 70% of total wine production in Mexico. Red varieties include Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Nebbiolo, Tempranillo, Zinfandel, and Cabernet Franc, while white varieties include Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, and Sauvignon Blanc.
Wine is subjective. While there are general characteristics found in wines from certain regions, the aromas and flavors produced by wine are subjective. This is why tastings at Dos Cuerpos are always unique experiences, as we seek out the different scents and tastes that people discover. Our experiences shape our senses, and we try to create spaces to rediscover and appreciate them.
At Dos Cuerpos, we specialize in tastings and the distribution of agave spirits and Mexican wine. Tasting involves the contemplation of the alcohol being sampled, and in this sense, these texts aim to encourage continuous contemplation. Let us know if you enjoyed this text, if it helped you in any way, and if you notice any discrepancies, please do inform us.
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