Consumers started spending more on high-quality spirits during the pandemic shutdowns, which spurred a rise in premium beverage products, said Erlinda A. Doherty, an agave spirits expert and consultant. Both are proprietary spirits under Mexican laws, which are recognized in U.S. trade agreements. While he didn’t comment specifically on California’s foray into agave spirits, he said he believes Mexico can respond to the growing demand. The state legislature enacted a law last year requiring “California agave spirits” be made solely with plants grown in the state and without additives. He said those making agave spirits have a deep appreciation for Mexican tequila.

---

Persons: — Leo Ortega, Ortega, ” Ortega, Doherty, ” Doherty, “, ” Alfonso Mojica Navarro, ”, Henry Tarmy, “ We’ve, we’ve, Craig Reynolds, Davis, Stuart Woolf, Woolf, Lisa, ” Woolf Organizations: distillers, California —, Mexican Chamber, Tequila Industry, Ventura Spirits, California Agave, University of California Locations: Calif, Southern California, Mexico, California, United States, U.S, France, Jalisco, Texas, Arizona, Northern California, Central, Davis