Mexico

Mexico is the oldest wine-growing region in South America, and actually on the entire American continent (see also under New World). The Spanish Conquistadores under Hernando Cortez (1485-1547) planted vines of the Vitis vinifera species for the production of communion wine in 1522m close to the town of Parras. Cortez issued the unusual instruction that for each one hundred Indian slaves allocated to a white settler, a minimum of 1000 vines had to be planted each year for a minimum of five years. It is assumed that the imported vines of the red Mission variety, today known as Criolla, was already grafted onto indigenous vines, thus avoiding and indeed preventing the problems experienced with phylloxera later on in North America. As a result of the planting policy, production was soon so great that it was no longer necessary to import any wines from Spain. For this reason king Philipp II. (1527-1598) prohibited the planting of any more vines. Even today, Parras is still the centre of the Mexican wine industry, it is the location of the Marqués de Aguyo winery, which was founded in 1593, and today produces only brandy. Other traditional grape varieties are Rosa del Peru and Palomino. Only in the past few decades have noble varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Chenin Blanc, Riesling, Sémillon and Pinot Noir imported from Europe and planted here.

One of the pioneers of the industry is the Spanish group Pedro Domecq, which owns around half the vineyard area in the Guadelupe valley (Baja California). The "Presidente" brandy label is one of the most successful spirits brands worldwide. Of the total vineyard area of around 41.000 hectares, only around 10% is used for wine production, producing a total of 1.5 million hectolitres of wine (Status: 2000). Most of the grapes grown are used to produce either brandy (tequila) or rasiins. Pulque, or wine produces from agave plants, is still drunk in huge quantities. The Baja California wine-growing region is located in the north, stretching along the border with California in the USA, some 85% of total production is accounted for by this region. Here Dimitri Tchelistcheff, son of the legendary oenologist is engaged in projects to introduce modern cellar technology. The vineyards of the Aguascalientes region are located on a high plateau at altitudes of 1.600 to 2.100 metres above sea level, the most southerly growing region is San Juan del Rio north of Mexico City at an altitude of 2.100 metres. Well-known wine producers include L. A. Cetto (the largest), Bodegas Santo Tomás, Monte Xanic, Bodegas San Antonio and Cavas de Valmar. Labels will generally state only the style of wine, such as Vino de Fruta, Vino Dolce, Vermouth and Vino Blanco.