Introduction
The Museo del Tequila y el Mezcal in Jalisco, Mexico, became the epicenter of the region’s bio-cultural diversity during the first edition of the “Ay Jalisco, No Te Rajes” festival. Held in Mexico City’s Garibaldi district, this three-day event brought together producers, academics, and enthusiasts to celebrate the history, science, and cultural value of artisanal distillates from western Mexico.
Showcasing Jalisco’s Diverse Offerings
The festival aimed to highlight that Jalisco is more than just tequila. Through tastings, lectures, and panel discussions, attendees discovered other expressions like raicilla, mezcal wine, barranca wine, and sierra wine. These beverages reveal the diverse soul of Jalisco.
- Prominent Producers: Emblematic producers such as Tequila Cascahuin, Mezcal Chacolo, Tuxca Canoitas, and Raicilla de la Cota K’umché shared their communities’ voices, showcasing ancestral processes and generational wisdom.
- Academic Program: The festival featured an academic program with experts like Carlos Lucio (Sello Verde, Corredor Biológico Sur de Jalisco), Dánae Cabrera Toledo, and Pablo Carrillo. They presented research on artisanal distillates from western and southern Mexico.
- Knowledge Sharing: Jorge Quiroz and Salvador Galindo shared their book “Habemus Raicilla,” while Pedro Jiménez G. from Mezonte presented the Mapa de Diversidad Biocultural de los Destilados de Jalisco, emphasizing the importance of protecting and documenting this liquid heritage.
A Sensory Celebration
Beyond academics, the festival was a sensory celebration. A tasting table featured unique distillates from various communities, while Editorial Larousse contributed specialized content on Mexican cuisine, tequila, and mezcal. The event facilitated networks among producers, distributors, and consumption centers, boosting the economy of small local projects.
The Impact
With its inaugural edition, “Ay Jalisco, No Te Rajes” established itself as an essential meeting point for those seeking to understand Mexico’s liquid identity—a blend of territory, craftsmanship, and cultural resistance.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the “Ay Jalisco, No Te Rajes” festival? It’s a three-day event celebrating the history, science, and cultural value of artisanal distillates from western Mexico.
- Who participated in the festival? The event brought together producers, academics, and enthusiasts from Jalisco and beyond.
- What distillates were showcased? Besides tequila, the festival highlighted raicilla, mezcal wine, barranca wine, and sierra wine.
- What was the significance of the academic program? Experts presented research on artisanal distillates from western and southern Mexico, emphasizing the importance of preserving this liquid heritage.
- How did the festival impact local economies? It facilitated networks among producers, distributors, and consumption centers, boosting the economy of small local projects.
