Mezcal – Agave that is not Tequila

Mezcal – Agave that is not Tequila – Episode #641

March 11, 2009

Richard Betts, of Betts and Scholl fame, teaches Gary Vaynerchuk about this 100% Agave spirit.

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Comments on this episode(199) Leave a comment ›

“Yes I have had mescal many times; “generic” mescal, bacanora, tequila …” by Maria
“There’s tons of plastic bottle Mezcals. They come in little jugs. It’s…” by Gerardo Ritchey
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Wines tasted in this episode:

Sombra Mezcal

Links mentioned in today’s episode.

Betts and Scholl wines and the Great Richard Betts – Episode #194

199 Responses

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September 26, 2009

Maria
Yes I have had mescal many times; “generic” mescal, bacanora, tequila (they are all in the same family). I do enjoy it quite a bit, particularly as an aperitif before lunch.

My optimism comes from seeing the sun come up everyday. No matter how bad yesterday might have been, today is a new beginning, full of possibilities.

Thanks for this episode! Unfortunately, outside of Mexico this family of drinks has a “macho” reputation, and are not often sipped and appreciated. Some people have seen way too many movies.
June 14, 2009

Gerardo Ritchey
There’s tons of plastic bottle Mezcals. They come in little jugs. It’s awful.
May 10, 2009

Randy C
Great show I really learned a great deal.

QOTD: My optimism comes from my close family but without a doubt most of it comes from my wife.
April 22, 2009

Fashion Luvr
Mezcal & Mr Betts made the New York Times today.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/22/dining/22mezcal.html
April 3, 2009

yowens
Dude, Betts is a great guest. I loved his last show too. Informative and really kind and chill. QOTD: I feel the love for the Pres right now and i believe!!!
March 30, 2009

Dessert Wine Nerd
Really great episode. Richard Betts is def. the kind of guy I could hang out with and sip some wine and talk about life. I demand to have him on more often. Intresting beverage, too. Ive heard the name every now and then but never tried it or knew what it was. I’ll have to look into it… Ive always wanted to drop some coin on a super premium tequlia. QOTD: Obviously never, from my post. QOTD2: I cant really say right now. My job is draining my life out of me, and I feel theres just a lot of darkness in the human race right now. But as long as Gary us around I think theres hope. I dont know how you do it, but you never seem to have a “downer” switch. Keep it up and dont stop.
March 27, 2009

AMM3RD
QOTD: My optimism comes from my beautiful wife and two little kids. They make me smile every day! AMM
March 26, 2009

Jesse
Yes
March 24, 2009

J Crazy
Haven’t ever had a Mezcal but will be sure to look for one soon.

My optimism comes from my parents and martial arts instructor who all did a damn good job of raising me.
March 21, 2009

Dan-o
Enjoyed the show – I was intrigued to learn how Mezcal is made.

QOTD1 – yes, I have had Mezcal, but I cannot remember the brand. I like the experience.

QOTD2 – I am a believer that we are on this earth to pass a legacy to the next generation. We should always try to be positive so that we create a positive aura to pass down. We will be remembered for the good things we do.
March 21, 2009

Rob
So where do we find this in SoCal?!

Anything that makes me more of a rock star, I want it.
March 21, 2009

Chris Lotz
Hate most tequila, love most mezcal! great episode. great to know we have a fellow coloradoan living in the big apple. my motivation to get up in the morning is finding out what will happen next. i always feel like there is something great just around the corner. if not today, then always tomoro. summer is coming soon, cant wait.
March 19, 2009

WineWild
Thanks for that tremendousness. Right?

GVQOTD: No, but it sure does sound like the scotch of these drinks.

QOTD: Family, Spring and life changes
March 18, 2009

innA
Hate to say it.. but this is the first episode I haven’t finished of WLTV in about 150 episodes. Simply couldn’t get into it – had to stop after about 10mins as 35mins talking about one ‘non-Tequila’ drink was way too much for me.
March 17, 2009

Carlos
You remind me I had a bottle of Mezcal. sip in it righ now.

Back in the days they use to sell it in black clay ball looking containers, until I guess they discover some clay had lead. Now you can´t find them. Oaxaca was more known for mezcal, than any other region.
The leaves or “swords” as Richard calls them, are milled down and used as fiber, to make ropes for example, but it is know that none of the parts of the agave is wasted at least in antiquity.
Really surprise Richard knew Bacanora, one of the spirits of northern Mexico (zotol is another), a most of the mexicans have not even heard the name.

By the way hope you can say a word some day about the new mexican wines, like to hear your opinion about the rebirth of wine making in Mexico (The first grapes in the continent were plant ther by the Spaniards), I consider the smaller producers better than the big ones as is the case in general around the world.
I follow your show, is fun (and informative), thank you.

Cheers
Carlos B
(favorite wine, Haut medoc, specially Chat. La Lagune)
March 17, 2009

Matthew Bellamy
Great episode Gary, nice to change it up a little every now and then.

QOTD1: No, but i will go out and try and find some now
QOTD2: Knowing that there is always new things to discover about the world.
March 16, 2009

Tom
QOTD 1: Yes, some brown stuff that smells and tastes like poison. I can’t figure out what to do with it except leave it alone. I’m looking forward to trying some Sombra.

QOTD 2: What else worthwhile is there? The alternative is not good.
March 16, 2009

RANDI
GARY!
So sorry I didnt watch this ep. sooner! (And Richard Betts is way cool..)
QOTD: YES..had Mezcal
QOTD: Corny, but …when you see a child discovering stuff for the first time…its so cool…you wanna do everything better…and from my never-ending positive..it-will-all-work-out…learn-everything and do-everything- you-can spirit!
xo
March 16, 2009

Chet Roman
This was my first visit to tv.winelibrary.com. I wanted to view the video on Sombra. I tried Sombra and it is a good Mezcal. Don’t try the Mezcal with the worms (moth larva) or scorpions; they are just not as good. The worm is just a cheap marketing gimmick. Ron Cooper of Del Maguey (www.mezcal.com) helped to produce Sombra and any Mezcal he is involved in producing will be high quality.

On a side note, I don’t know what Gary Diarrhea-Mouth Vaynerchuk does for a living but he should not give up his day job; a moderator he is not. Maybe in about 10 to 15 years after he grows up he might be able to ask intelligent questions and not interrupt the guest every few minutes.
March 16, 2009

Michael Schoonmaker
QOTD1: No, but after this I’m gonna have to fix that!

QOTD2: One part upbringing (high energy), one part my amazing career, one part my amazing fiancee

Cheers!
March 16, 2009

pawncop
Sorry to be so late but work has been very time consuming lately.

A great show and wonderful guest, you two were really hitting on all cylinders.

QOTD 1 – A long time ago and cannot recall the brand.

QOTD – Because life is grand and I have one of the best seats on the ride of life.
March 15, 2009

Paul
QOTD 1: Yes, and it’s been sitting on my bar ever since because I can’t get past the burnt tire smell. This episode has definitely caused me to want to go back and give it another try.

QOTD 2: My friends, my family and my students (middle school teacher here). I love people and seeing my impact on others really gives me drive.
March 15, 2009

Steven McD
Awesome show!

QOTD 1 — Yes, a Oaxacarita at Hugo’s in Houston! It will rock your face off! BTW, they also treat their good Mezcals like single malts.

QOTD 2 — Family
March 15, 2009

mrzitro
QOTD1: no
QOTD2: God
March 15, 2009

Andreas
I just want to add, that it would make more sense for me to drink the MESCAL out of a nosing glass,…. not a tumbler! What do you think??