Beyond the Shot
Tequila is trending, and it’s no longer just about taking shots and wild parties. According to the Distilled Spirits Council of the U.S., tequila consumption is rising at a much faster pace compared to other liquors, especially at higher-end levels. Now a Manatee County couple wants their locally owned tequila brand, Metagave, to ride this wave all the way to the top shelf of our local bars and restaurants.
“We wanted to do something that your average person wanting to start a beverage company couldn’t go do,” says co-owner Anthony Amodeo.
“Tequila is the most-regulated spirit in the world,” says co-owner and wife Danielle Amodeo.
Tequila is made from the agave plant. However, all agave spirits are not tequila. To legally be sold under that name, tequila must be made in one of five authorized states in Mexico, adhering to specific Mexican laws and regulations.
Though the Amodeos are Italian by ancestry, their tequila interest started with their deep appreciation for Mexican culture, in combination with their love of fine beverages. After many trips to Mexico, they partnered with a fourth-generation master distillery to make sure Metagave is superior. Their agave plants grow at the base of a several-hundred-year-old volcano. The surface ash provides nutrients and minerals, so no synthetic fertilizer is used. It takes patience: The plants grow eight to nine years before harvest.
“We only use the fruit of the plant—the piña,” says Danielle. “It’s [shaped] like a giant pineapple. Other brands use the leaves, and you are not supposed to use all that stuff.”
Is tequila a healthier liquor?
As we resolve to treat our bodies better in a new year, many people are looking for ways to still enjoy a cocktail without compromising their healthy eating goals. Tequila has less sugar and fewer calories than other liquors. Nutrition information shows one fluid ounce of 80 proof tequila has 64 calories. In comparison, a shot of vodka has 96 calories. Tequila is also fat-free, carb-free, and protein-free.
Because tequila is made from the agave plant, it does not lead to blood sugar spikes. Agave contains a type of sugar known as agavins. Research shows agavins function like dietary fiber, meaning the body does not digest or absorb them the same way as most sugars. As a result, tequila is the only liquor permitted on some diet programs—but only in moderation, and without mixers.
Nutritionists caution that it is important to consider all a cocktail’s ingredients when assessing its overall healthiness. Mixers, juices, and sweet liquor quickly add on sugar and calories. A small amount of a high-quality spirit sipped over ice is always the beste choice for minimizing calories.
“This method is so traditional,” Anthony explains. “The plants are cut by hand. We roast the piñas in stone ovens. They are shredded for juice and fermented with natural yeast. We don’t introduce any outside objects. The only additive is a natural Mexican vanilla bean. It’s a huge process.”
All this effort is evident in the two finished products. Full disclosure: I have never before even considered sipping tequila, and I avoid shots at all costs. Metagave Blanco has no astringent burning smell. My tongue tasted sweet citrus with a little pepper but was immediately smoothed by a hint of vanilla. Metagave Reposado is aged six months in Woodford Reserve bourbon barrels followed by French Chardonnay barrels. This attention to detail creates a high-end spirit that is unique, flavorful, and versatile, yet priced at under $50.
Bar Hana in downtown Sarasota creates amazing craft cocktails with Metagave. You can’t help but notice the blue bottle with Aztec art label on the shelf, and the glass stopper is so classy. Bar Hana’s Meta Sour features Metagave Reposado. It is frothy with just the right amount of bitterness. My favorite is the Love Ranger, made with Metagave Blanco, homemade brut honey syrup, lemon juice, and topped with rose. In total honesty, anything with Metagave Blanco is now my favorite.
Cheers to local and woman-owned Metagave tequila for bringing us a great tasting spirit at an extremely approachable price point.
