Pisco

Question 1

Two countries recognized as producers of Pisco

Answer 1

Peru and Chile

Question 2

Five leading grapes used to produce Chilean Pisco

Answer 2

Moscatel, Moscatel Rosado, Pedro Jimenez, Moscatel de Austria, Tortontel

Question 3

Production guidelines for Chilean Pisco

Answer 3

• produced as a pomace brandy or using wine
• generally double-distilled with pot stills to maximum 73% ABV.
• must rest for 60 days prior to bottling
• sometimes aged in wood

Question 4

What are the 4 categories of Chilean Pisco?

Answer 4

Pisco Corriente or Tradicional (min 30% ABV)
Pisco Especial (min 35% ABV)
Pisco Reservado (min 40% ABV)
Gran Pisco (min 43% ABV)

Question 5

Describe the 2 styles of wood-aged Chilean Pisco

Answer 5

Pisco de Guarda: Aged in active French or American oak for min 180 days

Pisco Envejicido: Aged in active French or American oak for min 1 year (most producers age for 2+)

Question 6

Departments of Peru that are approved for producing Pisco

Answer 6

Lima, Ica, Arequipa, Moquegua (valleys of Locumba, Sama, Caplina in Tacna)

Question 7

“Aromatic” grapes approved for use in Peruvian Pisco

Answer 7

Italia, Moscatel, Albilla, Torontel

Question 8

Production requirements for Peruvian Pisco

Answer 8

• made from fermented grape must
• produced via pot still distillation
• between 38-48% ABV
• no additives of any kind (including water)
• min 3 months aging in copper, glass, stainless steel, clay, other inert material
• no wood aging

Question 9

Describe 4 styles of Peruvian Pisco

Answer 9

Pisco Puro (pure pisco): made from a single grape variety
Pisco Acholado (blended pisco): made with more than one grape variety; either a blend of aromatic and non-aromatic grapes or different piscos blended together
Pisco Mosto Verde: made via the distillation of partially fermented grape must, distilled while there is still some residual sugar
Pisco Aromatico: made using only aromatic grape varieties

Question 10

Leading region for the production of Chilean Pisco

Answer 10

The Elqui Valley, in Coquimbo Region

Question 11

“Non-Aromatic” grapes approved for use in Chilean Pisco

Answer 11

Quebranta, Criolla Negra, Mollar