Published: July 04, 2007 11:56 am      

Tequila has become a spirit for refined drinkers

You’ve got to wonder how someone looking at a blue agave plant — which looks like a cross between an aloe plant and a large blue green pineapple — figured out you could ferment the pulp, then distill the mash and end up with a alcoholic beverage. Grown in Mexico desserts, the blue agave is the principal components of tequila.

Known most for its presence is margaritas, tequila has gone from the image of a cowboy tossing down a shot with a grimace in a dusty Mexican bar to an expensive, fine-aged tequila sipped from a brandy snifter by refined drinkers.

Some of the popular ultra-premium tequilas are made by the Patron Spirits Company. Created and owned by Paul Mitchell of hair-care fame, these attractively packaged spirits are a delight to drink but can be taxing on your wallet.

We tasted Patron’s line of spirits recently at a dinner sponsored by Bay Ridge Wine and Spirits at Sam’s on the Waterfront. The evening opened with a delightful cocktail appropriately called Sam’s Sunset, which is a shot of Patron’s Citronge ($24- 750ml) added to Sprite or 7-Up and a squeeze of lime.

Citronge is Patron’s answer to triple sec, an orange flavored liqueur that is another essential ingredient in a margarita.

Patron Silver ($38-$50-750ml) is what is commonly used in super-premium margaritas. Crystal clear with a nice fresh, crisp flavor, and unaged.

The Patron Respado ($54-750 ml) on the other hand is aged in oak barrels for 6 months and has a slight yellow color. It presents a hint of oak and a bit of citrus, honey and a little apparent saltiness. Drink by itself or in a kicked-up margarita.

Our favorite of the evening was the Patron Anejo ($60-750 ml). Light gold in color with some creaminess in the nose, it has been aged about 14 months in oak and yields a vanilla flavor with a nice burn that reminds one of a fine Armagnac.

We also tasted a rarity that will be new to Maryland — the Gran Patron Burdeos ($600-750 ml). Amazingly complex nose, that comes from aging in French and American oak barrels. Triple distilled to create an Anejo, it is then aged in Bordeaux wine barrels. Very cognac-like with vanilla and some cedar notes. This one is just for sipping by itself.



WINE OF THE WEEK

• Mettler Petite Sirah Lodi 2002 ($20). A serious petite sirah at a good price. Deep and dark color with a chocolate cherry nose. Blueberry, cherry flavors complete a very fine wine.