Some highlights from the XXV National Pisco Contest
"A friend asked me, 'How is Pisco?' Pisco... as always, controversial, passionate, confrontational," to which I replied, "well... if it wasn't like that, it wouldn't be Pisco." Pure passion!
¡pura pasión!
The XXV National Pisco Contest 2019 was held in Pisco this time, the place where our flag distillate was shipped to the world at the beginning of the 17th century & where its name comes from. Sponsored by the International Organization of Vine and Wine (OIV), represented this time by Mr. Yann Jubanv, Deputy General Director, President of the Pisco Contest Engr. Lyris Monasterio and Director of Tasting Engr. Ángel Custodio, 286 samples were judged by 49 tasters.
Also, for the first time, the samples were collected from stores to be evaluated. Only at the Pisco Wong Expo held every year in September are samples collected from stores. This undoubtedly changes the rules of the game. The products that received medals are on the shelves or showcases of stores, where consumers can buy a Pisco with a gold medal and not have to wait for the winery to bottle, label, and distribute it, a great advantage.
None of the participating Piscos obtained a Great Medal (92 points). We will have to wait for the 2020 contest. A Great Medal is not always guaranteed, as it depends on the samples & the tasters who consider a Pisco of exceptional quality by majority vote. Except for some minor incidents, the competition was conducted correctly.
Once again, as has been happening since 2016, expert tasters were appointed without following the established procedure. Two tasters were appointed at the beginning of the contest, replacing two tasters who apologized for not being able to attend. This's stated in the final report with the names of the tasters. On the last day of the contest, one more taster was appointed, all of whom belong to the National Association of Pisco Tasters - Ancopisco. It should be mentioned that the Contest President & the Tasting Director also belong to this association.
To be clear, there's no complaint about the tasters appointed since 2016. Most of them are friends and great professionals in tasting who deserve it. It's the procedures, not the people, that don't seem appropriate to me. The profession of taster or "mojonero," as they were called in the late 16th century, doesn't offer financial rewards. What it offers to those of us who have been caught up in this fascinating activity are personal satisfactions, doing the job well, with honesty, with respect, challenging our senses, accumulating experiences, and staying trained for tasting, always ready to participate in countless events where we are invited throughout the year, all related to Pisco, wine, and different beverages. You will find us there, in the regions, provinces, districts, and towns of Peru. That's the legacy of the "Mojoneros!" Enjoy Pisco responsibly.
By Livio Pastorino Wagner
Sommelier, Specialist, and Pisco Taster
Registration: CRDO-PISCO 2020 RCO-034-2011
@elmagozurdo
Cocktail Magazine No. 29, june 2020.
Cocktail magazine (spanish) in issuu
Pisco & music
June 13, 2020.
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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