First wine in colonial times, later beer, little by little the national production of both drinks grew to become a substantial part of our economy.
About Wine
During the first years of the Colony, all the vineyards that flourished and still exist in the center of the country and much of California were planted. After discovering the existence of wild strains, the first conquerors proceeded to graft and plant new plants. In 1612, to protect the metropolitan economy, the planting of vines, the breeding of silkworms, the production of fine canvases and many other products were prohibited. Later, also the importation of wines from Peru and Chile. Before that, Francisco de Urdiñola had already formed his first winery on the Santa María de las Parras estate. In the coat of arms of Querétaro that dates from 1660, we can see some vineyards.
After Independence, regulations were modified to protect domestic production, and imports of wines and spirits were heavily taxed. Humboldt, a few years earlier, had particularly praised the vineyards of Paso del Norte and the Inner Provinces: they flourished, and despite the general chaos of the time, they increased.
During the Porfiriato the consumption of wines grew, because in addition to having wide acceptance those of Coahuila and San Luis, their importation increased. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, 81% of grape production was used to make wine and 11% was consumed as fruit; Years before, up to 24% had been destined to make spirits, but the prosperity of these years allowed the consumer classes of brandy or cognac to only taste it if it came from France.
Since the most remote times the vineyards of Aguascalientes, Coahuila, Baja California, Durango, Zacatecas, Sonora, Chihuahua, Querétaro, Guanajuato and San Luis Potosí have been famous. Wherever the climate was favorable, the missionaries always sowed over the countries and took care of their dissemination. Our current wine industry derives from those first orchards of the friars.
About Beer
Beer production was artisanal and very limited until the end of the 19th century. There were some breweries in Mexico City and Toluca, but they were produced on a small scale. In 1890 the first large brewery was installed in Monterrey, capable of producing 10,000 barrels and 5,000 bottles a day. Four years later another one was opened in Orizaba, somewhat larger. Its great success led to the modernization of old facilities throughout the country.
Beer had been produced in Orizaba since the beginning of the 18th century; Later, in 1896, the German and French businessmen, Messrs. Henry Manthey and Guillermo Hasse, with the support of various capitals of Veracruz and Orizaba, founded the first beer industry in 1904.
Throughout the 20th century, a series of changes in the population's consumption patterns were observed: white bread replaces the tortilla, cigars, brown sugar, and pulque beer. In the same way, the cantinas to the pulquerías and the bars to the taverns. Today beer is part of our daily life. The author Marcet says that there is cantinera beer: melancholic and musical that the bravest turn into a submarine with a tequila. There is also homebrew beer; this is relaxed and sporty, television or of neighbors and brothers-in-law. Either way, the author considers it the national lifeblood.
