Mexican Wine

View All/ Add Photos

The history of Mexican wine production begins in the 1500s, when Hernan Cortes and his conquistadors exhausted their supply of wine while overthrowing the Aztecs. He ordered the colonists to plant 1000 grapevines for every 100 native “employees.” (Needless to say, “that mensch” is not something you hear people say about Cortes.) The Spanish conquistadors had vines brought over for religious mass, and more likely, wash down their food. With failed attempts to grow grapes in the more tropical regions of Mexico, the first grapes, known as Criolla (the mission grape of California and the Pais grape of Chile), were successfully planted in the Parras Valley of Coahuila. Growing in Puebla and Zacatecas soon followed. The first Mexican wine estate, Casa Madero, was founded in 1597 by Lorenzo Garcia in Santa Maria de los Parras in Coahuila and still exists.

The Spaniards were doing so well with their colonized wine production, that Charles I ordered all ships traveling Read more »

The Spaniards were doing so well with their colonized wine production, that Charles I ordered all ships traveling to “New Spain” to bring over grape and olive vines to step up production. This went great guns until the late 1500s when demand for Spanish wine took a downturn with the rise and prestige of French wine. To make matters worse, this wine from the colonies was faring better than Spanish wine. So in an effort to promote only local Spanish products, Philip II put an end to all production. Finito.This didn’t stop certain religious sects, particularly the Jesuits, from continuing to make wine, naturally for the sake of religious authenticity. Jesuit Priest Juan Jugarte is credited for leading this revolt and establishing the Santo Tomas Mission with vineyards in Baja California. The Dominicans soon set up in the Guadalupe Valley, now the center of the Mexican wine industry.

After Mexico’s War of Reform in 1857, all of the Catholic land holdings, and the vineyards, were seized by the government and became property of the state. These were then sold to a private group of investors who to this day operate as the Bodegas Santo Tomas.

The next rise in Mexican wine production came in the unlikely form of a group of spiritual Christian Russian emigres, the Molokans (a.k.a. “Jumpers”) who relocated to Guadalupe Valley to escape brutal persecution from the czar’s army. Many of them had an advanced farming background and reserved a good portion of their crops for quality wine making at the turn of the 20th century. Their legacy lives on to this day, despite an unsettling period during the Mexican Revolution in 1910.

Prestige wine production in Mexico, supported by the National Viticulture Association, began in earnest in the 1980s with the promotion of modern techniques. Many of the grapes grown are of either French or Spanish origin. The main grapes for reds are Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, Cabernet Franc, Carignan, Grenache, Merlot, Malbec, Syrah, Petit Verdot and Tempranillo. Whites are Chardonnay, Chasselas, Chenin Blanc, Macabeo, Moscatel, Palomino, Riesling, Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc.

Mexico is divided into these subregions:

*Sonora

*Baja California (which includes Valle Guadalupe)

*Coahuila

*Durango

*Aguascalientes

*Zacatecas

*Queretaro

~Amanda Schuster

– Description from Amanda Schuster (hide)

Add description View 2 descriptions »

Discover the Difference Handcrafting Makes

View more Articles »

View More
Popular wines made in Mexico under $20

Find local availability for these wines:Submit

Jose Cuervo White Blend Reserva de la Familia Tequila Añejo

Varietals Produced in Mexico View all

Cabernet Sauvignon

“King of the Red Wine Grapes.” The colonizer of the vineyards, pushing native wine grapes into its shadows. The Caber...
Chardonnay

British wine writer and critic, Jancis Robinson, once noted that throughout the 80’s and 90’s in the United States, C...
Sauvignon Blanc

Sauvignon Blanc is widely grown in California -- at over 15,000 acres, it’s now the third most planted variety -- and...
Pinot Noir

“With so voluptuous a perfume, so sweet an edge, they make the blood run hot,” Joel Fleischman, wine columnist at Van...
Syrah

The irony here is that Syrah’s origins could give Carmen Sandiego a run for her international wallet. Syrah’s deepest...
Merlot

The Occitanian word “merlot” translates to “young blackbird.” An accurate description for this popular, early-budding...

Subregions of Mexico

Popular Wineries in Mexico View all

Casa Madero

Casa Madero is the first official wine estate in Mexico, founded in 1597 by Don Lorenzo de Garc...
Monte Xanic

The Valle de Guadalupe is located 30 kilometers inland from Ensenada, on Mexico's Pacific Coast, ...
Tularosa Vineyards

David Wickham, owner of theTularosa Vineyards Winery, is a native of Watkins Glen, New York. His ...
Asombroso Tequila

The recipe for the original tequila, AsomBroso, dates to the time the first agave heart was cooke...
1921 Tequila

We use the highest quality Agave in the production of our Tequila. Cultivated in the red soils of...
Baron Balch'e

Barón Balché is a symbol of Nobility. The Mission of the Barón Balché Vineyard is to produce the ...

People getting updates on Mexican Wines

Page 3 of 50
Mexico on Snooth

October 2012

I have a small patch of what I think are Pinot Noir grapes. When we bought the ... planned a vacation to New Mexico, was gone for 7 days and upon returning my grapes were GONE. I thought maybe a neighbor helped themselves but no, I know my neighbors wouldn't do that. I thought maybe the birds ate them, no........evidence showed not only the g... Read More

Forum post in the topic Beware of the Thief
October 2012

Adobe Guadalupe Red Blend Jardín Secreto 2003

Snoothrank:

I think this wine it's one of my favorites, great nose And flavor Read More

Wine review by Pedro Estrada
October 2012

L. A. Cetto Petite Sirah 2009

Snoothrank:

Smooth, fruity with a little tannic ending, good with pizza and mole. Read More

Wine review by edgardorosas
September 2012

Vinedos Malagon Equua Valle de Guadalupe Mexico Grenache Petite Sirah Grenache Mexico 2009

Snoothrank:

Not terribly dark in the glass--a lot of light is coming through. I want to support Mexican wine-making, but, unfortunately, this one is not terribly encouraging. It seems very unbalanced on the palate. In spite of the label's indication of a 13.3% ABV, it seems hot to me. Front of the palate fruit is overwhelmed by bitterness at the back of... Read More

Wine review by EMark
September 2012

Cascabel 2005

Snoothrank:

No written review

Wine review by tomatecno
August 2012

Gruet Brut Sparkling Wine

Snoothrank:

No written review

Wine review by alanb1108
August 2012

L.A. Cetto Private Reserve Nebbiolo 2006

Snoothrank:

Had this wine in Tecate with steak. Long, gripping and complex. enjoyed it. Read More

Wine review by Eduardo Del Vino
June 2012

Cazadores Tequila Reposado NV

Snoothrank:

No written review

Wine review by roadgoddess
June 2012

L.A. Cetto Private Reserve Nebbiolo 2006

Snoothrank:

Very attractive dark purple in the glass. Earthy and yeasty nose. Medium weight on the palate. Most clearly definable fruit flavor is raisons--like the ones from Fresno. This actually meets my expectation for nebbiolo. Slight tartness in the very back of the palate Fairly long raisony finish. This is a good wine. I'm about to have an asi... Read More

Wine review by EMark
June 2012

Cavit Winery Pinot Grigio Cavit Collection 2006

Snoothrank:

No written review

Wine review by alanb1108

prev 1 2 3 4 5 ... 50 next

View larger map

Recipe Downloader

Middle East Orange Mint Rice
View Recipe

Northern Italy Sun-dried Tomato and Italian Sausage Risotto
View Recipe

Greece Athenian Salad
View Recipe

RiceSelect

Best Wine Deals

$34.29

24%off

Château Smith Haut Lafitte Red Bordeaux Blend Pessac-Léognan 2010
$15.29

33%off

Lincourt Chardonnay Santa Rita Hills Sta. Rita Hills Steel 2011

See More Deals »

Community Activity

Recent Forum PostsView all

Wine party with friends
I need a great Under $20.00 bottle of wine for . A wine party...
WHEN will I EVER learn?!?!
Ok, sucker that I am, I got lured back into the 5-cent sale at Bev...
Hello Snooth!
My name is Joseph and I just opened Paired Wine Co at 3325 N Halsted...
Whatcha drinking tonight- part 2 (for Zuf)
Tonight some nice pinot from rrv...

Mexican wine ratings and reviews

Winery:	Monte Xanic
Region:	Mexico » Baja California » Valle de Guadalupe
Varietal:	Syrah
Type:	Table Wines

Winery:	Gruet Winery
Region:	USA » New Mexico
Varietal:	Pinot Noir
Type:	Sparkling Wines

Winery:	Casa de Piedra
Region:	Mexico » Ensenada
Type:	Table Wines

Winery:	Gruet Winery
Region:	USA » New Mexico
Varietal:	Pinot Noir
Type:	Sparkling Wines

Winery:	Gruet Winery
Region:	USA » New Mexico
Type:	Sparkling Wines

Winery:	Casa Madero
Region:	Mexico » Valle de Parras
Varietal:	Syrah
Type:	Table Wines

Winery:	L.A. Cetto
Region:	Mexico » Baja California » Valle de Guadalupe
Varietal:	Nebbiolo
Type:	Table Wines

Winery:	Cabo Wabo Tequila
Region:	Mexico
Type:	Spirits

Mexican Wine

Milagro

Toasted Walnut and Pesto Pasta

El Tesoro Paradiso Tequila

Shrimp Boil

Casa Noble Reposado Tequila

Curried Calamari Ceviche with Mango and Avocado

El Tesoro Tequila Anejo

Basil-Parsley Pesto

Casa Noble Tequila Anejo

Barley with Winter Greens Pesto

Herradura Tequila Anejo

Lemon Basil Shrimp Pasta

Jose Cuervo Tequila 1800 Reposado

Shrimp Cocktail with Rach's Quick Remoulade

Cabo Wabo Reposado Tequila

Calamari with Tomato Sauce

Cazadores Tequila Reposado

Peppered Shrimp Alfredo

Corzo Anejo Tequila

Breaded Curry Shrimp

View More Popular wines made in Mexico under $20

Varietals Produced in Mexico View all

Subregions of Mexico

Popular Wineries in Mexico View all

People getting updates on Mexican Wines

Page 3 of 50 Mexico on Snooth

Stay Connected

Get our free newsletter

Snooth Newsletters