July 20th, 2023
-National Tequila Day, Monday July 24th-
As you wrap up your Aquatennial Celebrations July 22nd, you will have one rest day (Sunday) before gearing up for National Tequila Day! Next Monday we enjoy the beautiful Blue Agave Spirit in a Margarita, Paloma or by trying a new cocktail! Or perhaps it is the perfect excuse to indulge in some craft Tequila, ideal for sipping.
Tequila, as we've predicted all along, is practically a health food. Did you know that Tequila can lower blood sugar and cholesterol? Tequila contains agavina, a sugar that comes from the leaf and triggers insulin production in the blood stream. Agavins also lower triglycerides and, in effect, cholesterol. We read this on the internet, but it may be worth asking your naturopath if Tequila is right for you!
WALL OF TEQUILA

As you can see, things have gotten a little out of hand regarding our robust selection of Tequila and agave based spirits. Hundreds of selections to get excited about, all made with 100% agave! You wont find Jose Cuervo, or any other corner-cutting selections at our shop, so rest easy knowing you can enjoy tequila without a subsequent hangover. You'll notice some new classifications on our labels — and we explore those today!
Highland VS Lowland
The terms highland and lowland refer to the respective regions of Jalisco where the agaves used for tequila are grown, and like with wine the terroir plays a large part in the flavor of the finished spirit.
Highland
Highland refers to the Jaliscan Highlands, more commonly known as Los Altos. This region sits 7,500 feet above sea level, and has red clay soils rich in iron. The environment is higher-stress, because the plants are closer to the direct heat of the sun. Consequently, they have a fruitier flavor that can be attributed to the sweetness of the agave. One of our favorite Highland distilleries is Mijenta, a carbon neutral and sustainable selection. The Blanco has notes of orange, lime, and a subtle hint of anise on the finish, and the Reposado matures in American & French oak, presenting a fuller expression with a long peppery finish .
Lowland
Beneath Los Altos lies El Valle (aka Tequila Valley) where lowland agaves are grown. This terroir is defined by the VolcĂĄn de Tequila, an inactive volcano that has created the mineral-rich volcanic soil known as tierra negra. This volcanic soil imparts an herbal flavor as well as an earthy tone to the agave. 123 Tequila is one of our favorite Lowland distilleries. Made organically & sustainably, this line offers delicious Anejo, Reposado and Blanco options. '1' Blanco is vibrant with notes of lemon peel, black pepper, and minerals. '2' Reposado spends 6 months in oak and tastes of salted caramel, crĂšme brĂ»lĂ©e, and toffee. '3' Anejo spends 18 months in barrel, and you taste the wood along with caramel & chocolate. El Luchador is an economic option perfect for cocktailing, with notes of bright citrus and salinity.
Cocktail of the Week: Watermelon Tequila Pops
It's toasty in the Twin Cities. With temperatures creeping into the nineties, no one is complaining if you for serve cocktails in popsicle form! Indulge your inner child, and try a fruity frozen Tequila Pop for National Tequila Day.
INGREDIENTS
1/2 Large Watermelon, diced
1/2 cup Tequila
1/4 cup Cointreau
5-6 tbs Lime Juice
1/2 tsp Salt
1 tbs Lime Zest

INSTRUCTIONS
Add the watermelon to a blender, and blend until smooth. Strain the mixture, and discard the pulp. Stir in the tequila, Cointreau, lime juice, and salt to the watermelon juice. Mix in the lemon zest. Pour the mixture into a loaf pan, cover, and freeze. Every hour or so, remove the mixture from the freezer and use a fork to scrape up. Continue this multiple times, over several hours, until a granita-like texture forms. When the mixture is almost completely frozen, use a spoon to fill the plastic push pop containers. Freeze pops in an upright position overnight, then enjoy in the sunshine!
Friday Tasting Table
Friday, 07/21/23, 4 - 8 p.m.
Join Amanda of Libation Project for a FREE wine tasting this Friday!
Get 10% off any single bottle of wine from the tasting table.
6oz Pour
Wine Education Classes
France Pt 2: The B-Sides
Thursday, July 27
7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m., $60
As a companion to our “in 7 Glasses” series, we’re offering a series of tastings that focus on the incredible regions which are often overlooked or overshadowed by the larger producing blockbuster regions. While slightly more off the radar, these wines are in no way inferior. In "France, The B-sides," we’ll taste through the likes of Northern Rhone Syrahs, Muscadets, and Savennieres as well as other gems which while not usually in the limelight, certainly demand some attention for their singularity and quality.
Reserve your seats on Tock
Staff Picks - What to Drink this Week
Try these special, staff-selected libations!

2021 Marchese Delle Saline 'Taisse' Zibibbo - $24.99
New to the shop from fourth generation Rallo family's Sicilian winery Marchese Delle Saline, comes their charming Zibibbo. Muscat of Alexandria, aka Zibibbo, is mostly used to produce dessert style wines but this example is fermented dry and farmed organically. If you're a fan of aromatic whites like Gewurztraminer or Viogner, Zibibbo is for you. In the glass it's full of apricots, white flowers, honey and citrus with enough acidity to keep it fresh and lively. "Taisse" means 'to sit down' in the local dialect but here it means to invite someone to join in the moment- usually with good food and wine. Grab a friend, some fancy snacks, and a bottle of Zibibbo and enjoy!
-Angie

2021 Vevey Marziano, Blanc de Morgex et de la Salle, Vallée d' Aoste - $31.99
From Europe's highest vineyards on the Italian side of Mont Blanc, Vevey Marziano produces this crisp white wine from the rare native alpine grape varietal, Prie Blanc.
Marziano's vines are farmed organically by hand and pergola-trained low to the ground so as to soak in as much heat as possible at such a high altitude and capture the bright mountain sunshine. Aromas are of mountain herbs and white flowers with a bone dry delicate palate of tangy pear and minerals braced by electric acidity. This is a perfect summer picnic wine, evocative of pristine mountain water running over rocks in an alpine stream.
-Patrick

Domaine Ligier Poulsard 2020 Arbois, Jura - $24.99
The Jura region is a wine and cheese mecca in eastern France located between Switzerland and Burgundy. This wine hails from the most famous Jura appellation, Arbois and is one of the three prominent Jura red varietals, Poulsard. The nose of this particular Poulsard shows cherry and pomegranate fruit and the light to medium bodied palate shows raspberry fruit with notes of cardamom with low tannin. It is the quintessential chillable summer red. Try this charming red with charcuterie or a smoked chicken. 
-Rob

2022 Domaine de Reuilly ‘Les Fossiles’ Reuilly Sauvignon Blanc - $29.99
As the name suggests, this Sauvignon Blanc is built on an elegant frame of minerality and salinity. Equally impressive is the subtly ripe tree fruit and citrus flavors that abound and the generally seamless feel of this wine from start to finish. Grown in ideal white wine conditions in the central Loire valley the soils of Reuilly are limestone with gravel top soil. The resulting wines are suitable competition to the better known wines of Sancerre and Pouilly Fume.
-Dave

Dampwerk Gin - $41.99
Dampwerk's gin is an incredibly solid bottle at a reasonable price. In their own words, this is Dampwerk's take on a London dry gin, so the standard juniper flavor is certainly front and center. As such, this is a great candidate for a refreshing gin and tonic on a hot summer's day or a fancy martini to spruce up your evening. All the aromatics in this bottle coalesce nicely to make for a very solid sipping gin as well. What really earns my vote with this gin, though, is that it's locally made, coming from Saint Louis Park. If you want a gin that hits all your standard London dry notes, is versatile, is reasonably priced, and is local, give Dampwerk a shot (maybe even multiple shots!).
-Nick N

La Gritona Reposado Tequila - $57.99
La Gritona is a very smooth Tequila Reposado, however it does look and taste like a Blanco. This distillery is woman owned and operated, and the bottle is made from recycled Coca Cola bottles. It is great for mixing or drinking neat.
-Johnny
VERY IMPORTANT - Furry Friend Visits!
Cheers, Everyone!
The Team at North Loop Wine & Spirits