From Agave to the Bar: Why Tequila Certification Matters to Bartenders Too

In France, there is the OIV, the International Organisation of Vine and Wine. In Scotland, the Scotch Whisky Association, or SWA. In Cognac, the Bureau National Interprofessionnel du Cognac. And in Mexico? Mexico has the CRT, along with the CRM, the Mezcal Regulatory Council.

All of these organizations share one essential role. They define what the spirit is, which raw materials are allowed, how it must be produced, where it can come from, and the minimum aging and fermentation periods required. Spirits that do not fall under these organizations do not receive a certificate of authenticity. No matter how good they may be, they are considered artisanal or informal, in a sense.

These organizations also hold legal authority. They influence laws, regulations, and trade, and they have the power to authorize, sanction, and even exclude producers that do not meet the strict quality standards they enforce.

Since we are focusing on the organization that regulates tequila, it is worth noting that the CRT, based in Zapopan, Jalisco, is responsible for guaranteeing the authenticity of the tequila consumers drink. It also protects the Denomination of Origin of Tequila in Mexico and abroad. Let’s review five key points:

• The Denomination of Origin of Tequila was officially recognized in 1974 by the Mexican government.
• It is regulated by the CRT.
• The protected territory includes only 181 municipalities across five states: Jalisco, Michoacán, Nayarit, Guanajuato, and Tamaulipas.
• Tequila must be produced exclusively from Agave tequilana Weber, blue variety.
• The CRT inspects, analyzes, and certifies compliance with the Official Mexican Standard for Tequila, NOM-006-SCFI. You can consult all the details here (resource available only in Spanish).

Committed to Improving Productivity and Efficiency in Agave Production

Through its agro-services area, the CRT team supports, advises, and inspects all agave crops to ensure they comply with regulations and align with the organization’s sustainability vision.

In fact, since 2016, together with the Mario Molina Center and the tequila agro-industry, the CRT has developed the Sustainability Strategy for the Agave-Tequila Production Chain. Its goals include reducing the direct carbon footprint and CO₂ emissions per liter of tequila produced, promoting the use of renewable and electric energy, and reducing water consumption.

Within the CRT, there is also an Inspection Unit that evaluates production standards, labeling, commercialization, and export processes. This unit issues official rulings to authorized entities so they can operate within the law and in accordance with their responsibilities. In other words, the CRT closely monitors every step of tequila production, from the agave plant to the bottle enjoyed by tequila lovers.

Another key function of the CRT is issuing certifications, including those for tequila brands, bottlers, and exporters, in accordance with established regulations. These certifications validate before authorities that a tequila meets the necessary requirements to be called tequila. They legitimize and protect the product, facilitate access to international markets, build commercial trust, and authorize its consumption.

The CRT also operates a laboratory where physical, chemical, and biological tests are conducted to ensure that tequila is reliable and meets required specifications and standards. These tests include phytopathology (the study of plant diseases), microbiology, water analysis, metals testing, and more.

If you are interested in becoming an agave expert, the CRT also offers educational paths ranging from courses and diploma programs to master’s degrees covering every stage of the tequila production process.

Other responsibilities include verifying greenhouse gas emissions and recognizing the farmers who make a living from cultivating and harvesting agave, among many others.

To close, and so there is no doubt, our beloved Altos Tequila is among the companies and brands certified by the CRT. One more reason to trust a tequila brand that is highly valued and loved by bartenders around the world. By the way, did you know that Altos is the Official Tequila of the Australian Open? 

Understanding what the CRT is and what it does is not about showing off knowledge. It is a practical tool for working behind the bar. Knowing how tequila is certified allows you to read labels more critically, explain what you serve with authority, defend a cocktail menu, and choose brands that align quality, origin, and responsibility.

In a world where consumers increasingly ask about sustainability, production processes, and authenticity, this knowledge positions you as an informed professional. Someone capable of telling a well-supported story that begins in the Mexican fields and ends in a glass served in London, New York, or Singapore.