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What are the roles of the Mexican CRT and the CNIT?

The CNIT (Camara Nacional de la Industria Tequilera) or National
Chamber of the Industry of Tequila, is an organization based in
Guadalajara composed of industry members who are distillers and
producers of the plant and spirit of tequila.

The aim of the organization is to strengthen and develop the tequila
industry through working with other Mexican government agencies
to protect agricultural, industrial and commercial activities related to
tequila.

It was originally formed in1959 as the Regional Chamber of the Industry
of Tequila (later to become the National Chamber), lobbying for Tequila
to be recognized as an appellation.

London Bar 09 in Earls Court, welcomes the return of the Tequila Embassy, hosted by the industry's favourite Ambassadors - Tomas Estes, Phil Bayly and Julio Bermejo.

Due to the popularity of this feature in 2008, La Embajada de Tequila will cover twice as much floor space in 2009, showcasing over 30 of the nation's favourite tequila brands whilst educating visitors on arguably the most explosive spirit this year.

"The exhibitors expressed their delight at the number of enthused visitors they saw across the two days with visitors declaring the Embassy to be the most exciting and educational event of the show".
Tomas Estes, European Tequila Ambassador

For further information please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call 0207 955 3722.

http://www.barshow.co.uk/page.cfm/Link=1/t=m/goSection=22

Belgravia London is a posh place and maybe a bit boring. I, the Ambassador of Tequila to the European Union, am in the residence of the Ambassador of Mexico to the U.K. Classic art is dominating the four-meter tall ancient oak-paneled walls. A distinguished crowd is present to participate in the launch of a tequila activity. It is May 2006. Belgravia has become a little less boring as the tequila flows.    When I realize that tequila, the “bad boy” of spirits, has arrived at this status, I am amazed. I think to myself, “Wow, tequila has come a long way from the dusty back lands.” I realize that this is “My Greatest Moment with Tequila.”
The first time I ever drank tequila was in 1960. This was pre-Beatles and pre-hippies, and the U.S. still had segregation (which in South Africa was called apartheid, bringing that country to a radical change).

It was Easter week vacation when kids left home for the beach and were partying non-stop. We sat in Tommy Harlan’s ’57 Chevy hot rod and drank from a 25cl bottle, one of those skinny, long bottles that have never come in from seeming odd and foreign, other worldly, south of the border, dangerously worldly.

We are just in time, Mexican time if we can find this place soon.  We are let out of our cabs by the address I have been given, the Galeria in the Avenida Chapultapec, one of the main boulevards in Guadalajara.  I am looking for a building in which I assume I will find the gallery where an art exhibition is being held in combination with the ceremony for Cafe Pacifico and La Perla bars to receive recognition from the Mexican government.

In the centre of Tlaquepaque near Guadalajara in the Centro Historico is a place called “El Parian de Tlaquepaque” built in 1878.

It is a beautiful courtyard surrounded by restaurants and bars. I sat there in may with Narren Young drinking Estrella and listing to Marriachis playing El Rancho Grande.

On my last trip I took some photos of the tiny bars that surround this typical courtyard. I thought they were such funky places, all pouring a good selection of tequilas
Check them out!

It is always an unknown flying into Mexico City.
As a good friend used to say, it’s one of those places, hot by day, volcanic by night.

I love MEXICO; it has an edge to it.

Mexico City, on the other hand is not just an edge is like standing on a razor blade.
Exhilarating one side, all-consuming on the other. If you step one way you have style, glamour, colour and fine art, the other, you will encounter poverty and destitution, putrid odours and drabness.

You wake up in the morning and it could be the best day in your life or the
Worst, anything is possible at any time; it has a volatile Latin
Attitude. Passionate, dangerous, sensual and wild.
Tequila is for me a lot like that, unpredictable; it’s one of the main characteristics that I like about it.
I’ve had both the best times, and probably got myself into the most trouble, while drinking Tequila.

I was invited to Guadalajara, Mexico (in tequila country) to attend a planning session for a tequila week activity in London. My contact, Dr. Javier Martinez, a tequilero (tequila producer) has his Doctorate degree from Oxford University. Surprising? Yes, and I found more surprises to come. Javier told me that the CRT (tequila regulatory council) wanted to pay my expenses. However, due to the challenge of getting all of the Council’s approval quickly to authorize the payment, he asked if I could be paid in tequila. Local currency, I thought, and wondered if I had to drink it all (“spend” it all) while still in Mexico. I found out I didn’t have to, but ended up drinking more than I’d expected anyway, a professional liability.