Pisco

Pisco is a distillate of grape must. It is the alcoholic national drink of Chile and Peru. Very similar to the Pisco is also the Singani from Bolivia. The exclusive right to manufacture a drink called Pisco is claimed by both Chile and Peru, and was the subject of legal disputes. In Peru and Chile in the import of foreign brandy products under the name Pisco is prohibited.

Characteristics

Pisco has existed for over 400 years. It is pure brandy, in which 6-7 kg of grapes are used to get a liter of pisco. In contrast to the Italian grappa, which is distilled from pomace, the fermented grape must is the only ingredient for the production of Pisco. The juice comes from some of the eight different grape types, which are also known as " pisco grape ". For the production of Pisco Moscatel varieties ( Moscatel ) are mainly used. The best-known mixed drink on Pisco base is Pisco Sour. In addition, you drink Pisco as " Piscola " a long drink of pisco and cola.

Historical background, controversy over Origin

The origin of the name Pisco is debatable. According to one theory, the word comes from the Quechua, here it means as much as " flying bird ". The coastal region around the present town of Pisco south of Lima, Peru, was named because of its wealth of bird the Incas " Pisko ". In this region, several high quality vases were made for storage of alcoholic beverages. These were designated according to the region, as Piskos or Pisquillos. The vessels were then used by the Spaniards along the South American Pacific coast for the storage of grape fire. The grape brandy was named after the vessels.

Another theory suggests that the name was derived from the port city of Pisco, also in Peru. From here, the majority of grape brandy production in South America was shipped to Europe. On the transport containers labeled " de piscu " was attached, which was then applied by the Spanish to the drink.

Even Chileans do not deny that pisco brandy was first produced in Peru. However argue that Chilean producers and distributors that Pisco has become a generic term for this type of brandy in South America and was therefore not bound by the geographical designation of origin in Peru. To underscore this, the Chilean La Greda was renamed on 1 February 1936 in Pisco Elqui.

Pisco varieties

Peruvian Pisco

Peruvian Pisco is a distillate of grapes grown in Peru, which since the early 17th century - just after the first vines from the Canary Islands to Peru came - in the area around the port city of Pisco in Ica, Peru was prepared.

Categorization

The Peruvian state is the quality assurance of the Peruvian Pisco a high concern, which is why they in January 1991 with the Supreme Decree No. Adopted 001-91-ICTI/IND that Peruvian Pisco must meet a technical standard, a kind of " purity law " for the Peruvian Pisco. This Technical Standard in the current version of 2006 " NTP211.001: 2006" applies to all manufactured in Peru Pisco and states that Peruvian Pisco, the distillate of fresh fermented musts of eight approved Pisco is grape and must be produced using methods which the preserve traditional quality principles. The alcohol level of a Peruvian Pisco must according to this standard between 38 % vol. and 48 % vol. lie.

Grape varieties

The permitted grapes for the production of a Peruvian pisco are divided into non-aromatic and aromatic grapes. The four approved non- aromatic grape varieties are:

• Quebranta
• Negra Criolla
• Mollar
• Uvina

The other four approved aromatic grape varieties are:

• Italia
• Torontel
• Muscatel
• Albilla

Other grape varieties are not allowed for the production of Peruvian Pisco.

Classification

Peruvian Pisco is divided into three classes:

• Pisco Puro - " puro " in Spanish means " pure". This category includes Pisco Pisco, which are produced only from a single grape variety.
• Pisco Mosto Verde - " Mosto Verde " means " green wine " and classifies a Pisco, which was distilled from a must whose fermentation was interrupted prematurely. This premature interruption leads to a residual sweetness.
• Pisco Acholado - classifies a mixture or blend of the following approved ingredients: pisco grapes, grape must, unfermented wine, and distilled Pisco (each both aromatic and non-aromatic grapes as a base allowed). Typical Acholado blends consist of distillates from one to two aromatic grapes and a non-aromatic grape. For example, use the Peruvian Pisco BARSOL Acholado and Viñas de Oro Acholado a blend of distillates from the grape varieties Quebranta (not aromatic), Italia and Torontel (both aromatic); Ocucaje Acholado a blend of distillates of Quebranta and Italia grape.

Storage and additives

Before bottling must rest Peruvian Pisco at least 3 months. For this purpose, only containers are allowed which have no influence on the physical, chemical or organoleptic properties, such as steel or glass tanks. A maturation in wooden casks, as it is done in many other spirits is therefore not allowed in Peruvian Pisco. Peruvian Pisco no additives may be added ( like the usual example, in other spirits additions of water, sugar or caramel, glycerin and oak extracts ). This implies that the alcohol content of Peruvian Pisco after distillation may be reduced with water not, but Peruvian Pisco must be distilled directly on the allowed values ​​of 38 % to 48%.

Manufacturer

The most famous Pisco - growing areas of Peru are located in the Ica region, as well as in the region around Lima. Other regions are Arequipa, Moquegua and Tacna.

The 5 biggest export company of Peruvian pisco, with its corresponding Pisco brands sorted by export volume in 2012 are:

Other relevant Pisco brands for the German market are Ocucaje, Demonio de los Andes and Pisco Cascajal.

Chilean Pisco

When Chilean Pisco especially the Muscat d' Alexandrie is used, and Pedro Ximénez, Moscatel Rosada, Torrontés and Torrontés Riojano Sanjuanino ( here also called Moscatel de Austria ). Pisco is divided into Chile to the alcohol content in quality levels: 35 % vol ( Pisco Especial ), 38-40 % by volume ( Pisco Reservado ) and 43 % by volume or more ( Gran Pisco, eg 50 % by volume in the brand Artesanos del Cochiguaz ). In Chile Elqui Valley there is the place Pisco Elqui. This was once called La Greda, then La Unión and bears since February 1, 1936 the Quechua name to Pisco on its local production to point; in Elqui is the main growing area of the Chilean pisco grapes.