Aguascalientes producers look for Mezcal Appellation of Origin

By Becerril, Coca & Becerril, S.C.

Mezcal, a distilled alcoholic beverage made from different types of agave plant native to Mexico, has been recognized as an Appellation of Origin (AO) 1994. The recognition includes the Mexican States of Durango, San Luis Potosí, Guerrero, Zacatecas, Oaxaca, Tamaulipas and Michoacán. Mezcal types are described in the Mexican Norms related to the AO Mezcal. Now, Mezcal producers from the State of Aguascalientes have begun procedures to extend that Appellation of Origin.



The producers are integrated in six entities from the municipalities of Aguascalientes: Asientos, Calvillo, Cosío, El Llano, Rincón de Romos and Tepezalá; and four companies. Together they have more than 2.000 hectares of plantation that comply with all indicated protocols to produce quality harvests to obtain four different mezcal varieties plus two other ornamental variables of smaller size ready to be exported.

The extension of the Apellation of Origin will benefit more than 200 families. The mezcal production of this region will add to the more than a million mezcal liters that are already exported to USA, Great Britain, Germany, France, Spain, Australia and Chile.