Spirits of the world

Question 1

Original states of production for Mezcal DO?

Answer 1

Oaxaca, Guerrero, Durango, San Luis Potosí, Zacatecas

Question 2

Authorized agave varieties for Mezcal DO?

Answer 2

Agave angustifolia
Agave asperrima
Agave weberi
Agave potatorum
Agave salmiana
Additional varieties that are not the primary raw product for other DO spirits made in the same state of origin
(a producer could not make an Agave Tequilana Mezcal DO bottling)

Question 3

What is Mezcal DO alcohol content by law?

Answer 3

36-55%

Question 4

As far as label designations what are the four classes of Mezcal DO?

Answer 4

-Añejo: mezcal aged in oak barrels of no more than 1000-liter capacity for at least one year
-Reposado: mezcal aged in oak barrels for at least two months
-White/Joven: young mezcal (Joven being phased out)
-Madurado en Vidrio: matured in glass for 12 months in cool dark place

Question 5

Explain the category designations for Mezcal DO?

Answer 5

-Cooking: piña or maguey juices in pit ovens, cement or stainless steel tanks
-Milling: stone wheel, mechanical shredder or large mill
-Fermentation: wood cask, cement or staining steel tanks
-Distillation: alambic still, continuous still, copper still, or stainless steel tanks

Question 6

Explain the category designations for Mezcal Artesanal?

Answer 6

-Cooking: Pit ovens or cement
-Milling: wooden floor, bats, stone wheel or mechanical shredder
-Fermentation: stone vessel, cement, wood, clay, earthenware or animal skins; can include maguey fiber (bagazo)
-Distillation: direct fire on alembic, copper, small or large clay vessel; wood; copper or stainless tank; can include maguey fiber (bagazo)

Question 7

Explain the category designations for Mezcal Ancestral?

Answer 7

-Cooking: pit ovens
-Milling: wooden bats or stone wheel
-Fermentation: stone vessel, cement, wood, clay, earthenware or animal skins; must include maguey fiber (bagazo)
-Distillation: direct fire on small or large clay vessel; wood; must include maguey fiber (bagazo)
-Must be bottled in Mexico (unlike tequila, which may ship in bulk) in a bottle that is a maximum of five liters
-Label must include class, category, species of agave(s), and the name of the state in which it was produced. Anejo and –Matured in Glass must give age in years.

Question 8

Name the permitted additives for Mezcal DO and how much is allowed?

Answer 8

Insects
Fruit
Herbs
Honey
Coloring agents
Meat
-Up to 5%of volume may be added

Question 9

Which states overlap in Mezcal DO and Tequila Do?

Answer 9

Guanajuato, Michoacán, and Tamaulipas