Livio Pastorino

Pisco's Current Status

Revista Cocktail edition No 73, grateful for the opportunity.

Pisco exports, according to agraria.pe magazine (Dec 11, 2023), were projected to reach US$ 10.5 million; however, those in 2022 reached US$ 11.4 million. Regarding liters exported in 2023, we have approximately 1.4 million liters, a slight increase compared to the previous year. The average price per liter is US$ 7.50. The main markets
include the United States, Spain, the Netherlands, Japan, Belgium, France, the United Kingdom, Germany, Canada, Ecuador, Colombia, Brazil, and China. After reviewing this information, I realized that the pisco industry has hardly changed in recent years. On this note, a pisco-producing friend asked me: "Why do you repost past articles
on your social media?" I replied, "There are over 4 billion internet users, and I'm not so presumptuous as to think that everyone has read them." Furthermore, it's important that we continue to promote pisco culture. Our flagship spirit is not as well-known as some may think, partly due to limited exposure. This is without forgetting the domestic market, where the average consumption is a quarter of a liter per year. So, we have a lot to do.

Despite having a great product, the issue of the Pisco Denomination of Origin Regulatory Council (CRDO-PISCO) has not been resolved. The last CRDO-PISCO dates back to 2015, and since then it has not been reactivated. Like many others, I hope that this year we will once again have our Regulatory Council. The truth is that the ones most affected are the small and medium-sized producers. They need technical support, training, inputs, and machinery such as tanks, pumps, bottles, or others at affordable prices. Having an organization that groups them together, I am sure they would achieve better prices and payment facilities. An idea that I have heard from several producers, tasters, and enthusiasts is to propose the creation of a mini Pisco Denomination of Origin Regulatory Council. It is not easy to bring together more than 600 producers with Authorization to Use the Denomination of Origin, and above all, to reach an agreement. Therefore, the ideal scenario is to initially create a mini regulatory council with like-minded producers, clear rules, majority agreements, and proportional contributions to production. All working towards the same goal. This is where the tasters come in, demanding quality in what is exported. It's not about diminishing the domestic market, which is another major challenge, but rather ensuring that only the best is exported, guaranteed by the CRDO-PISCO emblem.

At first, there may not be many producers forming this mini CRDO-PISCO, but I am sure that when they see the achievements and results, many will join. In the world, there are several brands that work by bringing producers together and guaranteeing consumers a top-notch product. That's why they pay more. Let's seek to give pisco added value without deviating from established norms. It's possible. I trust that good times are coming for pisco. Let's enjoy it responsibly!

Til next time!

By Livio Pastorino Wagner Sommelier, Specialist, and Pisco Taster Registration: CRDO-PISCO 2020 RCO-034-2011
@elmagozurdo

Cocktail Magazine No. 73 february 05, 2024.

Cocktail magazine (spanish) in issuu

Pisco & music

February 2024.

Where pisco is the only protagonist!
#lapiscoteca #piscosour #winelover #pisco #pasionporlacata #bar #elpiscoesdelperu #vino #vinosdelperu #pisco #piscolover #Lima #Peru #Moquegua #Tacna #Arequipa #Ica

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