Q: I know I've seen tequila with a worm in it. Are you sure your sources aren't wrong?
A: As the article states, if it has a worm in it, it's mezcal and not tequila. Much like cognac or champagne in France, the distinction of tequila is tightly regulated by the Mexican goverment.
Q: Why isn't (my favorite brand) mentioned in more detail?
A: At one point, the article did have a list of brands, but it was incomplete, abused by advertisers, and rapidly became a point of contention. As a result, this article attempts to be brand-neutral, but well-written, separate articles for individual brands are encouraged.
Q: What about tequila produced outside of Mexico?
A: Again, like champagne in France, the Mexican government has an exclusive right to decide what is officially tequila. This includes a designation of origin that restricts where agaves can be harvested and where tequila can be produced. Agave-based spirits are made in other parts of Mexico and other countries, but they cannot legally be sold as "tequila."
Q: What about "premium" grades of tequila?
A: There is no rule against them being mentioned, but they aren't official types of tequila. They are mostly a marketing tool used by producers to distinguish between different price levels. Once regulators approve a spirit as tequila, the only official distinctions are whether it is "pure" or "mixtos" and how long it has been aged.
