subject: South American Essentials: Pisco 1 - History And Background [print this page] One drink that you will definitely want to try when you attend Spanish school in Chile or Peru is a grape brandy called Pisco. Though you may have never heard of this drink before, it is widely celebrated in Latin America. The word "Pisco" is actually from the Quecha language and translates to mean birds.
The history of Pisco is very interesting. First produced by Spanish settlers, this drink was originally meant to be an alternative to a brandy that was popular in Europe. The grapes that went into Pisco were ones that had been discarded because they didn't meet the necessary criteria for wine. These rejected grapes were given to farmers who then decided to use them for liquor. The majority of the Pisco made in the 16th century was derived from a grape variety called Quebranta. This was an adaptation of a black grape that was brought to Peru by the Spanish.
In 1641, Spain was no longer allowed to import wine from the Viceroyalty of Peru. This ruling was enacted in order to protect native Spanish wines and grapes from competition. However, Pisco continued to be produced in Peru and exported to other regions of the world. In fact, many sailors who traveled between Spain and the colonies regularly drank Pisco. According to common belief, it was the sailors who named the drink after Peru's port located in Pisco. Incidentally, if you learn Spanish in Peru, you will definitely want to visit this beautiful coastal area.
Over the years, the drink became more and more popular as Peru exported more goods to various places around the world. During the 1700s and 1800s, Pisco continued to rise in popularity. In addition to its fame in Latin America, it was also popular in California during the gold rush. The drink continues to be widely available and inexpensive.
If you decide to learn Spanish in Peru, you might hear about an ongoing controversy related to Pisco. Peru wants exclusive rights to the name of the drink. Of course, the people in Chile do not want to give up the right to use the name Pisco. When you attend Spanish school in Chile, you will see that Pisco also comes from the Elqui Valley in the Andes. There are a variety of differences between the Pisco produced in Peru and the drink that is produced in Chile. However, most Western countries still consider Pisco to be a drink from either Peru or Chile.
Regardless of which country you think makes the best Pisco, the drink continues to be appreciated throughout the world. A type of Pisco recently won the Gold Medal- VinItaly 2002. When you are in Latin America, it makes sense to appreciate Pisco's unique history and try some different preparations of this highly prized beverage.
