Pisco

Question 1

When was Pisco first produced in South America?

Answer 1

The 1700s

Question 2

What are the only two countries permitted to used the term pisco?

Answer 2

Chile and Peru

Question 3

In the US, what are the protections provided for Pisco?

Answer 3

Pisco Peru - distinctive product of Peru
Pisco Chileno - distinctive product of Chile

Question 4

How many grape varieties are permitted in Chilean Pisco?

Answer 4

11. Aromatic varieties predominate.

Question 5

Is Chilean pisco produced as a pomace or wine brandy?

Answer 5

Can be either.

Question 6

How is Chilean pisco distilled?

Answer 6

Generally double-distilled with pot stills to a maximum strength of 73% ABV.

Question 7

What are the aging requirements for Chilean pisco?

Answer 7

Must rest for a minimum 60 days before bottling. May be aged in wood.

Question 8

What is Rauli?

Answer 8

A Chilean wood, often used instead of oak in Chilean Pisco maturation.

Question 9

What are the categories of Chilean pisco based on final alcohol content?

Answer 9

Pisco Corriente or Tradicional
Pisco Especial
Pisco Reservado
Gran Pisco

Question 10

What is the minimum ABV for Pisco Corriente?

Answer 10

30% ABV

Question 11

What is the minimum ABV for Pisco Especial?

Answer 11

35% ABV

Question 12

What is the minimum ABV for Pisco Reservado?

Answer 12

40% ABV

Question 13

What is the minimum ABV for Gran Pisco?

Answer 13

43% ABV

Question 14

What are the two types of wood-aged Chilean Pisco?

Answer 14

Pisco de Guarda
Pisco Envejecido

Question 15

What is Pisco de Guarda?

Answer 15

A Chilean pisco aged in active French or America oak for a minimum of 180 days.

Question 16

What is Pisco Envejecido?

Answer 16

An aged pisco. Aged in active French or American oak for at least one year, although most age for two or more years.

Question 17

Is Pisco Peru made from pomace or fermented grape must?

Answer 17

Fermented grape must.

Question 18

How is Peruvian pisco distilled?

Answer 18

Pot still distillation.

Question 19

How many times is Peruvian Pisco distilled?

Answer 19

Once.

Question 20

What additives are allowed in Peruvian Pisco?

Answer 20

None - including no water or neutral spirits.

Question 21

At what ABV must Peruvian Pisco be bottled?

Answer 21

The same ABV as when produced, and must be between 38% and 48%

Question 22

What are the aging requirements for Peruvian Pisco?

Answer 22

No wood
3 months in inert vessels - eg copper, glass, stainless, clay

Question 23

What are the main styles of Peruvian Pisco?

Answer 23

Pisco Puro (Pure pisco)
Pisco Acholado (blended pisco)
Pisco Mosto Verde (Green must pisco)
Pisco Aromatico (aromatic pisco)

Question 24

What is Pisco Puro?

Answer 24

A Peruvian pisco made from a single grape variety.

Question 25

What is Pisco acholado?

Answer 25

A blended Peruvian pisco produced with more than one grape variety, generally a blend of aromatic and non-aromatic or different types of pisco blended together.

Question 26

What is Pisco mosto verde?

Answer 26

Green Musk Pisco - A Peruvian pisco produced via the distillation of partially fermented grape must distilled while the must still contains some residual sugar.

Question 27

What is a problem for Peruvian distillers when producing Mosto Verdo Pisco?

Answer 27

The still fermenting wine has a lot of dissolved CO₂ and continues producing more, creating a lot of foam that could cause liquid to come over the lyne arm.

Question 28

How do Peruvian Mosto Verde Pisco distillers avoid the problem of foam causing liquid to come over the lyne arm?

Answer 28

They only fill the stills part way.

Question 29

What is Pisco Aromatico?

Answer 29

A Peruvian pisco produced using just the aromatic grape varieties.

Question 30

In the EU, what are the protections provided for Pisco

Answer 30

Both Peru and Chile can use the term However, as of 2013, only Peru could use the term as a Geographical Indication.

Question 31

What is the pisco sour?

Answer 31

The national drinks of both Chile and Peru, a cocktail made from Pisco. Both countries claim to have invented it.

Question 32

What is the Peruvian Pisco Sour?

Answer 32

Made with Peruvian Pisco, lime juice, simple syrup, and egg white, shaken and served over ice.

Question 33

What is a Chilean Pisco sour?

Answer 33

Made with Chilean Pisco, juice of pica limes (similar to key limes or Mexican limes), and sugar, shaken and served over ice.

Question 34

What grapes are used in Chilean Pisco?

Answer 34

Moscatel (Muscat of Alexandria) Moscatel Rosado Moscatel de Austria (Torrontes Sanjuanino) Torontel (Moscatel Amarillo)

Question 35

What is Torontel?

Answer 35

Also known as Moscatel Amarillo, a descendant of a Pais x Muscat of Alexandria cross.

Question 36

What area is considered the premier pisco zone?

Answer 36

Elqui Valley in Coquimbo.

Question 37

What organization sets standards for Chilean pisco?

Answer 37

The Pisco Chile trade group.

Question 38

What is transparent pisco?

Answer 38

A Chilean pisco labeling term. The products are aged for the required 60 days in an inert vessel (eg glass, stainless, ceramic, inactive wood). Water white appearance.

Question 39

What is BarSol?

Answer 39

A brand of Pisco from Peru.

Question 40

When was Pisco first produced by BarSol?

Answer 40

1919.

Question 41

What are some leading brands of Chilean Pisco?

Answer 41

Waqar Kappa Aba Capel

Question 42

What are some leading brands of Peruvian Pisco?

Answer 42

BarSol Macchu La Caravedo Pisco Porton