The Tequila Toast with Champagne Flutes

We arrived at the CasaMagna Marriott for a tequila tasting and I immediately noticed blue agave plants as part of the lobby landscape. Not a surprise as the CasaMagna offers its own house tequila; the tequila we came to taste.

the tequilero explains the node...

But, the tasting did surprise. No, not the tequila. Fortunately, I have tasted the difference between the blanco, repasado, and anejo tequilas before, and the CasaMagna, “house” brand, scored pretty well on my chart. Tasting the flight was indeed quite the delight, but the surprise came with the glasses. Flutes?

We were introduced to the local tequilero who also doubles as the hotel’s sommelier (impressively,  she achieved certifications for both). Translation: she knows her stuff.  Certainly, being French gave her instant credibility on wines but she seemed to excel in describing tequila too.

She poured the blanco first and described it’s purity, why it works well with mixing, and how it produces the strongest odor.  I put my nose in the glass, but I couldn’t stop wondering… Why a flute?

I’ve tasted tequila in brandy sniffers or in straight shot glasses, but champagne glasses? This was a first. Did her French heritage play a role? Was it related to a comparison to the Champagne region of France? We all know Champagne is the only region that can call its sparkling wine Champagne, but did you know the Tequila region of Mexico (in Jalisco) is the only place that can call the Blue Agave spirit Tequila? Is this why she chose the Champagne flute? A copy? It can’t be, but my mind continued to wander.

She continued to describe the flavors and nodes when she answered the question about the glasses. These were not champagne flutes, but official tequila glasses.  The Riedel designed tequila glass.

I believed her, but did keep a curiosity.  I wondered why?

the tequila tasting with tequila flutes...

Then, the more I thought about the design, the more it made sense. Not only because tequila and champagne are perhaps my two favorites (they are) but because they are both rather celebratory. Yes, we drink them both when celebrating holidays or special milestones.

Not buying it? Sure, there might be a more scientific reason too.  But, either way, I plan to be rather festive this holiday season and that might just include a few tequila toasts. Hope you’ll join me.

Stay adventurous, Craig

I’d like to thank the CasaMagna Marriott in Puerto Vallarta for pouring a few tequilas and teaching me something new about my favorite spirit.