CHILE: Pisco Tasting

Every country has their “local hooch”.

In Chile, it is Pisco, a traditional grape brandy that has been made for centuries in the northern regions of Chile.

It’s considered Chile’s national spirit and Chile legally protects pisco as a national product. 

This means it can only be produced in certain regions of the country, similar to how Champagne is protected in France.

Of course, we had to go check it out, for educational reasons.

Pisco emerged in the 1500s when Spanish settlers in Peru distilled surplus wine grapes into a stronger clear spirit. 

The port city of Pisco gave the liquor its name and by the 18th century "Aguardiente de Pisco" became a well known export to Europe.  

Its production evolved into a hallmark of Chilean (and Peruvian) viticulture, each country defining strict geographical and production standards. 

Specific aromatic grapes, such as varieties of Muscat, are harvested and fermented into wine.

The wine is then distilled once in copper stills to produce a clear spirit.

Then the pisco is rested in neutral containers (often stainless steel or glass) to preserve the natural grape aromas before bottling. 

 

Since we were in the area, (what a coincidence), we decided to go to a pisco distillery. The one we went to is called Capel and is a cop-op distillery, where 700 grape producing farmers own the co-op.

The most famous cocktail made with Pisco is a Pisco Sour, and it is very popular in both Chile and Peru. The two countries have a friendly competition as to which country’s pisco is the best, and, which country has the best recipe for Pisco Sours.

It’s typically made with pisco, fresh lime or lemon juice, sugar or simple syrup, and egg white, which gives the drink its smooth foam on top. The cocktail is shaken with ice and often finished with a few drops of bitters.

The result is a strong, citrusy, slightly sweet, and creamy cocktail served as an aperitif before meals.

Definitely a hit!

And worth repeating!

For comparison purposes. 

My sister Marie is a bad influence.