BDMx on a Mezcal Mision in Oaxaca,Worldcup 2014: Mexico – The

BDMx on a Mezcal Mision in
Oaxaca
Inauguration of Gracias a Dios
Mezcal Factory in true Oaxacan
style
Last Saturday, the 12th of July, the Buenos Dias Mexico team
was invited to join the inauguration of the Gracias a Dios
mezcal factory in Matalan, Oaxaca, the capital of the most
ancient Mexican drink! After a seven hour drive from Querétaro
to Oaxaca we were rewarded by a colorful „fiesta“, great food
and lots of Mezcal.
What is Mezcal?
Oaxaca is the worldwide leading manufacturer of authentic
mezcal and for hundreds of years the locals have smoked the
agave cacti, shredded it with mill stones pulled by horses,
fermented and distilled it making mezcal.
This traditional alcoholic drink is produced from 100% agave
in an extensive and complicated process which still requires
hands on steps. The difference between mezcal and tequila is
that tequila only needs to be made from 51% of agave and it
can contain additives.
Despite its rather unconventional and unusual taste, during
the last few years mezcal has become extremely popular beyond
the borders of Mexico and spread to trendy bars in Berlin,
London and New York, where it is seen as tequila´s hipper and
more interesting brother.
Why Gracias a Dios?
The idea for the brand “Gracias a Dios“ (Thank God) was
developed by five friends living in Querétaro and in 2011 the
mezcaleria/bar was opened in the historic center. The place is
designed in rustic Mexican decor which creates a perfectly
inviting atmosphere to taste different mezcals and enjoy the
traditional food. The concept was a great success, so the five
friends decided to start producing their own brand of mezcal.
For a few months now this mezcal, called “Gracias a Dios” is
sold in many Mexican cities such as Querétaro, San Miguel de
Allende and Mexico City, as well as in different bars, clubs
and restaurants around town. With its strong and aromatic
flavour, these spirits are the result of a long quest to
perfect the best mezcal. Eventually the plan is to export the
product to Europe and in Texas the following types are already
sold in all Specs Stores:
1. Espadín– Made from organic 8 year old agave
2. Espadín Reposado – Made from organic 8 year old agave
and stored for three months in oak barrels
3. Tobalá – Made from organic 10 year old wild agave
What makes Gracias a Dios Mezcal Special?
Gracias a Dios Mezcal is one of the few brands which is
organically certified.
Cheers! For tomorrow! – is their initiative to pursue the
value mezcal deserves from the moment it´s planted. They plant
thousands of agave seeds every year which will grow for eight
to ten years before they can be used to make mezcal.
Everything deserves a proper beginning.
The inauguration
This of course was a reason to celebrate and so more than 180
guests were invited to Oaxaca to participate in the
inauguration of the small factory. The majority arrived on
Friday night to attend a welcome dinner in the restaurant “La
Teca”. The whole place was exclusively reserved for our group
and it is really a hidden jewel. The family offers traditional
oaxacan food in a charming, familiar environment and it is a
real insider tip. Apart from the mezcal, an exquisite menu was
served to start of this exciting weekend.
Saturday morning the guests were picked up from the hotel
Quinta Real and brought to Matatlan which is considered to be
the “world capital of mezcal”. On the way we were entertained
with typical Mexican music, of course mezcal and some more
little surprises. It was a great atmosphere and everyone was
curious about what to expect throughout the day.
Arriving in Matatlan, we were welcomed by a “calenda”. These
are huge dolls made from paper maché and painted in colorful
traditional clothing. A person inside controls the doll and
they spin and dance to the music moving the arms and of the
doll similar to the ones from carnival. Traditionally they are
accompanied by a marching band and women in traditional
clothing when they march through the main streets of Oaxaca
during festivals. This procession nowadays is part of the
Christian belief, but its influences are pagan in origin.
Afterwards, the mezcal tasting began and we started off with a
tour through the surroundings and the property where we also
met the mezcal master (maestro mezcalero) Oscar Hernandez, who
explained everything about the production process and the
differences between the types of mezcal. It was really
interesting to hear that mezcal is still a handmade product
which is why it is more expensive than the more commonly known
tequila. Oscar was able to answer all our questions and after
a few shots of mezcal and some beers, lunch was served.
Lunch was prepared by Oscar´s mother, Doña Maria, together
with their daughters, sister-in-laws and grandchildren. They
served homemade mole, chicken, rice and a huge diversity of
appetizers, which can´t be found in any restaurant. The
preparations for the event began four weeks earlier, because
the mole can contain up to 75 different ingredients and needs
time to develop the various flavours. The Señoras were
honoured to cook for so many happy guests and for many of us
it was the first time to enjoy a meal prepared in this manner
and it was a kind of a culinary experience.
After lunch a big surprise awaited all the guests. Due to the
fact that three of the invited couples plan to get married
this year, a traditional Zapotecan wedding ceremony was
commemorated. Among other things all of us had to dance with
the couples and wave branches at them in order to get rid of
any bad spirits. Another really unusual ritual: the “baile del
Guajalote” – the turkey dance was demonstrated. The groom
holds the turkey by its legs and throws it over his shoulder
while he dances with the bride in the middle of the guests.
Unfortunately we could not find out the actual meaning of this
tradition, but the poor turkey is meant to be the next day´s
meal.
The party continued in full swing and until we were picked up
and brought back to the city of Oaxaca. The party continued in
the bar “La Central” where a DJ from Mexico City kept the vibe
going until the early hours of the morning.
Summary
In summary it can be said that it was a weekend full of unique
experience. We had the opportunity to learn about traditions,
folklore and experience firsthand Mexican cordiality and a lot
of attention to detail. Therefore we would like to thank the
team of “Gracias a Dios” as well as the Hernandez family in
Matatlan for their hospitality and for allowing us to
participate in the event.
We wish you all the success and good fortune for the future
for your business!
If you are interested in taking a trip to visit Oscar and his
family to learn about the production of mezcal we would be
happy to organize a trip for you to Oaxaca.
Follow Gracias a Dios on Facebook where you will be updated on
the latest news & facts.
Worldcup 2014: Mexico – The
world cup team that won our
hearts !
After an undeserved defeat against
Holland, Mexico returns home with
their head held high
Every World Cup has its own World Cup heroes, a team that wins
the hearts of the people and that you would love to see beat
the odds and advance. In the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, this
has been without question the Mexican Tri Color with their
passionate coach Miguel Herrera and their incredible
goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa.
–
Last Sunday the Mexican team´s dream ended in the final
official minutes of play in a spectacularly dramatic game
against the Dutch „Oranje”.
At first,
an unexpected victory for the Mexicans seemed
possible as they took the lead in the 48th minute with a goal
by Dos Santos and who dominated the game for the first half
and most of the second. However in the last fifteen minutes of
the game the Dutch refused to give up, increased the pressure
and scored in the 88th minute, completely out of nowhere. What
happened next has divided the opinions of football fans. In
the second minute of additional time, the Dutch continued
their assault and intensity looking for the winning goal.
Robben ran ahead the Mexican goal and Marquez in an attempt to
stop him clumsily put his foot out resulting in slight
contact. Robben took full advantage of the opportunity and
lets himself skillfully fall to the ground drawing a penalty.
Not the most elegant solution from the Dutch, but
unfortunately effective – Huntelaar shoots the penalty shot
and the Dutch advance to the quarter-finals while Mexico
mourns – and with them the entire (football) world.
Most people agree that the Dutch did not earned this win. Even
Robben admitted after the game: „I was clever!“ Whether it was
a penalty from his point of view or not, the public and media
disagree. Internet forums are exploding, and the compassion
for the Mexican team and their fans is enormous. The fans of
the Tri Colour have been compared with the brave Gauls in the
Asterix and Obelix comics, for their cheers and their
exuberant celebrations when they humiliated the imposing and
powerful Romans as a clear underdog.
Sadly,Mexico, the most colorful and cheerful team of the 2014
World Cup says goodbye. Nevertheless, we are truly proud of
their performance and their new global image, which they have
rightly fought for. VIVA Mexico – cabrones!
WM
2014:
Mexiko
–
Mannschaft der Herzen!
die
Nach der unverdienten Niederlage
gegen Holland fährt die „Tri“ mit
erhobenem Haupte nach Hause
Jede WM hat seine eigenen WM-Helden, eine Mannschaft, die sich
in die Herzen der Menschen gespielt hat und die man besonders
gerne besonders weit vorne sehen würde. Bei der WM 2014 in
Brasilien ist dies ohne Frage die mexikanische Tri mit ihrem
offenherzigen Trainer Miguel Herrera nund ihrem unglaublichen
Torhüter Memo Ochoa gewesen.
Vergangenen Sonntag ging der Traum der mexikanischen Elf in
einem wahrhaftigen Dramaspiel gegen die holländischen
„Oranjes“ in der letzten offiziellen Spielminute zu Ende.
Dabei sah zunächst alles nach einem eindeutigen Sieg für die
Mexikaner aus, die in der 48. Minute mit dem Tor von Giovanni
Dos Santos verdient in Führung gingen und das Spiel über weite
Strecken dominierten. Erst in der letzten Viertelstunde gaben
die Holländer etwas mehr Gas und erzielten in der 88.
Spielminute völlig aus dem Nichts den Anschlusstreffer. Was
dann passiert, scheidet die Fussballgeister. In der 2. Minute
der Nachspielzeit erhöhen die Holländer den Druck auf das
mexikanische Tor. Robben kämpft sich vors mexikanische Tor,
Marquez stellt ungeschicht seinen Fuss raus und Robben nimmt
dankend an um sich gekonnt fallen zu lassen – Faulelfmeter.
Nicht gerade die elegante Lösung der Holländer, aber leider
effektiv – Huntelaar schiesst die Holländer ins Viertelfinale
und Mexiko weint – und gemeinsam mit ihnen die ganze
(Fussball-) Welt. Man ist sich einig, das haben sie nicht
verdient. Selbst Robben gesteht nach dem Spiel: „Ich war
clever“ , ob es aus seiner Sicht ein Elfmeter war oder nicht,
lässt er elegant offen. Dafür sind sich die anderen einig, die
Internetforen explodieren förmlich und das Mitgefühl mit der
mexikanischen Mannschaft und ihren Fans ist enorm. Mit den
mutigen Galliern in den Asterix & Obelix Comics wurden die
Fans der Tri verglichen, da ihre Jubelschreie auf den Tribünen
an deren ausgelassenes Feiern erinnerten – wenn man als klarer
Aussenseiter die grossen und starken Römer gedemütigt hat.
Mit Mexiko verabschiedet sich die wohl bunteste und
fröhlichste Mannschaft aus der WM. Trotzdem sind wir wahrlich
stolz auf ihre Leistung und das neue weltweite Image, welches
sie sich zurecht erkämpft haben. VIVA Mexico – cabrones