Tequila

Comprehensive A-Z vs. DO Politics: Tequila's... Alcoholic Spirit Showdown

Tequila, that spirited nectar of Mexico, has long been more than just a drink-it's a cultural artifact, a product of tradition, and a battleground of identities. Two recent publications, "The Tequila Dictionary" and "Divided Spirits: Tequila, Mezcal, and the Politics of Production", offer diverging paths into this rich, complex world. One is a meticulous compendium of facts, while the other is a provocative exploration of power, place, and the politics of place. Together, they form an unusual but compelling duet, each illuminating a different facet of tequila's identity.

"The Tequila Dictionary" is the perfect guide for those who crave clarity in the chaos of agave terminology. With A-Z entries that span everything from agave to tequila, it acts as a straight-edged lens, cutting through jargon to define the industry's lexicon. Think of it as a bartender's Bible, but with scholarly rigor-every term, from charro to copper still, is unpacked with precision. It's a haven for connoisseurs eager to decode the science behind distillation, the history of regional classifications, or the subtle differences between blanco, reposado, and añejo. The book feels like a well-worn road map, leading readers through the familiar terrain of tequila's production with an almost clinical devotion to detail.

In contrast, "Divided Spirits" takes a more winding route, threading through the cultural and political undercurrents that shape tequila's global reputation. Published as part of the California Studies in Food and Culture series, this volume isn't just about the spirit-it's about the battles fought over its origins, the tension between tradition and modernization, and the role of geography in defining quality. The author's gaze is sharp, dissecting how the Denominación de Origen (DO) system, which designates certain Mexican regions as the only legal sources for true tequila, has become a symbol of both pride and exclusion. It's a book that asks uncomfortable questions: Who gets to call themselves tequila? How do politics of production influence taste, price, and prestige?

Where one book is a thorough yet linear encyclopedia, the other is a cultural kaleidoscope, refracting the many stories of tequila's making. "The Tequila Dictionary" is for the curious minds who want to know the how, while "Divided Spirits" is for the critical thinkers who ask the why. The former celebrates the craft of distillation with reverence, while the latter challenges the very notion of what tequila is-and who gets to decide.

In the end, both books converge on a shared truth: tequila is more than a spirit. It's a product of history, labor, and contested narratives. One offers a straightforward map of its anatomy, the other a broader, more nuanced portrait of its soul. And perhaps, like the drink itself, they're both indispensable-each serving a different purpose in the endless conversation about what makes tequila tequila.