Grape Expectations: Traversing Pisco Route

Peru: Tourists visiting Peru are certain to have Machu Picchu, Amazon rainforest and Andes mountains on their bucket list. But for a truly ‘spirited’ traveler, the Pisco Route, an epitome of Peruvian panache, is certain to spruce up their senses. Ask for Pisco and the bartender will respond with a knowing smile. The colorless brandy that they’ll whip out hails from the wine making regions of Peru. With 48 per cent alcohol content, trust me, it’ll get the job done in no time.

The eau de vie (French for Water of Life) takes its name from the Peruvian town where it is produced and dates back to the 16th century. El Catador, a 130-year-old vineyard in Ica, a city in southern Peru, is a heritage site sought after by wine connoisseurs. Here, one can go through the distillation process of Pisco, stomp the grapes or even unwind in the tasting room with a cave full of wine.

Most bartenders and consumers view Pisco as a mixing spirit, but in Peru, it is also quite often sipped by itself. Peruvian Pisco has won over 20 gold medals and was named the best liquor of the world in the Concours Mondial de Bruxelles 2011.

Four Must Try Pisco Cocktails

Machu Picchu – Inspired by the colors of the flag of Tawantinsuyu (the Incas’ name for their empire), this colorful cocktail is probably Peru’s most visually-appealing drink. With a Pisco base and layers of grenadine, orange juice and crème de menthe
Pisco Sour – A frothy mixture of Pisco, lime, sugar, egg white, and angostura bitters, the Pisco Sour is about as Peruvian as you can get
Caspiroleta – This cocktail consisting of Pisco, milk, egg, cinnamon, and vanilla differs in that it is served hot
Chilcano – A simple yet elegant cocktail consisting of Pisco, lime juice, ginger ale and an optional dash of angostura bitters, Chilcano is one of the most delicious ways to drink Peru’s national liquor

Chile is the largest importer of Pisco from Peru, and with good reason. They say, a good whiff of Pisco Porton can clear the sinuses. It does taste a lot smoother than it smells. It is the perfect, exotic grape fix with a sharp and exciting twist. No wonder then that author and Nobel laureate, Rudyard Kipling called Pisco “the noblest and most beautiful product of our era”. If you haven’t had a chance to try Pisco before, now is the time to give it a shot!

Pisco: It is crafted from eight types of grapes, four non-aromatic – Quebranta, Mollar, Negro Criolla and Uvina, and four aromatic – Italia, Muscatel, Torontel and Albilla