Wine in Mexico is a growing industry where the passion of the producers is evident in every winery and vineyard where a piece of the history of its evolution is kept, from the arrival of the vine with the Spaniards to the present day.
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For this reason, touring the valleys where red, white or sparkling wine is produced in Mexico is an adventure not to be missed by any lover of a good glass.
Today we will be telling you about the wineries and the main wine producing valleys in Mexico, if you are interested in knowing a little more about this, keep reading.
How many wineries are there in Mexico?
According to the Mexican Wine Council, there are around 230 wineries in operation in Mexico. 230 wineriesHowever, this does not mean that they are the main suppliers of wine, since Mexican winerepresents 30% of the annual supply, which means that 70% of the wine consumed by Mexicans is imported.
It is complex to predict the speed at which the industry will grow, however, it is estimated that wine has not yet been democratized, that is, that the amount of consumption in Mexico is increasing among the current drinkers who are about 2.5 million people.
Forty percent of all wine is consumed in Mexico City and in tourist resorts. The most consumed wine is red wine. red wine with around 62%, while the rest is divided mainly between white and sparkling wine.
Where can I visit a winery in Mexico?
The CMV (2021) states that "In addition to Baja California and the famous Guadalupe Valley, there are 14 producing states in Mexico, there are 14 producing states in Mexico, where 18 grape varieties are grown in states such as Aguascalientes, Baja California SurIn addition to Baja California and the famous Guadalupe Valley, there are 14 producing states in Mexico, in which 18 grape varieties are grown in states such as Aguascalientes, Baja California Sur, Chihuahua, Coahuila, Durango, Guanajuato, Jalisco, Nuevo León, Querétaro, Puebla, San Luis Potosí, Sonora and Zacatecas".
Ensenada, Baja California, the wine route par excellence
Wine in Baja California developed hand in hand with the evangelization missions due to its importance in Eucharistic celebrations.Father Juan de Ugarte was the first to begin planting grapevines in the 18th century; thus, by the end of that century, wine production was in the hands of the church.
An important change happened at the beginning of the 20th century with the arrival of 60 Russian Molokan families who were persecuted by the Czars' empire; and who in their search for a more peaceful place for their families, settled in the Guadalupe Valley. But their religion forbade the consumption of intoxicating beverages, so at first they dedicated themselves to the cultivation of wheat and other grains.
It was around the 1950s that after a drought, vine cultivation began to revive, which is favored by the area's Mediterranean climate, which, together with its microclimates, rich soil minerals, and high sun exposure, allows the vines to develop ideally.
The wine-growing zone is located in the municipality of Ensenada and includes the valleys of Guadalupe, San Vicente, Ojos NegrosSan Vicente, San Vicente, Ojos Negros, Santo Tomás, Tecate and San Jacinto valleys. The region produces about 95% of Mexico's wine (CMV, 2021). Mexican wine(CMV, 2021).
In fact, the Ensenada and Guadalupe ofEnsenada and the Guadalupe valleys is the one with the largest production of Mexican wine, accounting for 95% of the total, making Baja California one of the most important and renowned wine-growing states in the country.ocated states with wine culture in the country.
Wine route activities in Baja California
Wine routes and the development of wine tourism have contributed to the the wine route in Ensenada is gaining international prestige. Tijuana is the starting point, with a varied entertainment and gastronomic offer consolidated since the 1920s when the prohibition of alcohol consumption in the United States turned the city into a paradise of partying and freedom.
The road to the wine route on a trip along the Ensenada Scenic Road with the sea always in sight suggests visits to Rosarito and Puerto Nuevo to try the famous lobster tacos.
Arriving in the city of Ensenada and visiting the wine route offers a variety of options from family-owned and operated wineries to wine and food experiences experiences of high quality and price.
What is an enogastronomic experience?
A enogastronomic experience is a term that encompasses two words oenology and gastronomy, ie, an experience that includes wine and food. The wineries in the Guadalupe Valley and other regions in Mexico surprise their visitors with wine tastings that are sometimes accompanied by snacks, cheeses or even chocolates.
El Cielo is a winery that offers from wine tastings red, sparkling, rosé and white wines in pleasant outdoor spaces or in the subway cellar, to complete menus and wine pairings, wine tastings with chocolates, the opportunity to taste wines directly from the barrels or for true red wine lovers, the opportunity to assemble their own wine with the help of the expert team of sommeliers and enology team.
I would add a farewell, as you can find out more about the Mexican red wines in our blog and the content we have prepared for you.
