Mezcal or aguardiente: ‘It’s all in the name’

Mexico is proposing a small change to the rules governing mezcal — not over how it’s made or who drinks it, but simply over the word itself. That might sound insignificant, but a small tweak could have a big impact on the types of mezcals people drink in the U.S. and elsewhere.

Labels of mezcal type beverages may have to change the name to “aguardiente de agave.” (PHOTO: fronterasdesk.org)

The Mexican government owns the word mezcal, the same way it owns the word tequila, according to the Mezcal Regulatory Council. And a new proposal would force producers outside of the area of origin to call their product aguardiente de agave, or agave firewater.

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Source: fronterasdesk.org