NC Stevens, author of The Complete Guide to Mexican Beverages, begins with the story of Miguel Hidalgo, the father of Mexican Independence. Don Hidalgo became disillusioned with Spanish rule when he was denied the right to grow grapes. Spain jealously guarded wine production for producers on the Iberian Peninsula, so residents of New Spain had to buy imported wines that crossed the Atlantic. In 1810, Spanish soldiers burned Hidalgo’s grapevines—the same year he would give his legendary cry for independence: el Grito de Dolores.

This free talk will cover the history of wine in Mexico. It’s a history that has long been restricted. But since the 1970s and '80s, the Mexican wine industry has taken a turn for the better. You’ll have the opportunity to purchase tastes from among the low-intervention, biodynamic, practicing-organic, wild yeast wines by Jose Villalobos, as well as copies of Stevens’ new book.