5/28/07-I chat with Malanie da Trindade-Asher, founder & CEO of Macchu Pisco.
What is pisco? And why should we be drinking it?
Pisco is an ancient Peruvian liquour made from grapes- it's been around for 400 years. Pisco's a white spirit and it sits under the brandy category actually. Some folks in the younger age groups are surprised to learn that. Did you know cognacs also fall under the brandy category?
What does it taste like?
It is actually much "grapier" than a vodka.
I hear alot about the famous "pisco sour"...what is that?
The pisco sour is Peru's national cocktail. It's made of pisco, lime, and sugar with just a bit of egg yolk. (It is so good! Don't be afraid of the egg yolk.)
Why is drinking pisco hip all of a sudden?
Well I think its becoming part of that growing popularity spike of Latin American spirits like the caipirinha or the mojito.
Okay, so where does pisco get its name?
Pisco is the name of the port where pisco is exported from. It's an area, really a small city of Peru.
What makes pisco….pisco?
P
eru has very strict laws about where and how pisco is made. You may see spirits from Argentina or Chile try and call themselves pisco, but pisco was born in and is governed by the laws of Peru.
How else can we drink pisco?
Well you can use pisco anyway you would use a vodka. But some of the suggested methods are:
-pisco with ginger ale or coke
-pisco punch with pineapple or passion fruit juice
You are the CEO of your own pisco company, Macchu Pisco. Tell us about your products.
Our piscos, Macchu Pisco and La Diablada Pisco are made all naturally. They don't require any added yeast, they have no sulfites…no additives…no anything extra. ..so no hangover the next day! Macchu Pisco is for Pisco sours and La Diablada is our award winning sipping Pisco.
Macchu Pisco's two brands: La Diablada & Macchu Pisco can be found in Massachusetts, the District of Columbia, Virginia, Maryland, and Nevada. Soon you'll also be enjoying it in Chicago, New York, and California. Also check out their very feisty and attractive Peruvian pisco girl: Lizzie Puell. www.macchupisco.com
-El Connoisseur