Official Taster or Expert Taster
In my Pisco tasting classes, some students ask me, "Professor, what are the requirements to be a Pisco taster and participate in contests?" My response: "The issue of tasters is not yet regulated. Until 5 years ago, the Regulatory Council of the Pisco Appelation of Origin 'CRDO-Pisco' handled this, but all of this is on hold. Currently, National Pisco Commission, "Conapisco" is taking on the organization of Regional & National contests."
Before CRDO-Pisco, it was Peru’s National Consumer Protection Authority (Indecopi) or Conapisco who handled it. I remember sending my information to register three times but never receiving a response. What I did receive and appreciate were diplomas as proof of my participation as a taster.
Similarly, in district, provincial, or regional contests, we also receive medals, diplomas, and physical documents of our work as tasters. These are our hours worked, our CV.
Back then, to be considered a taster, one had to first be invited to district contests. There was no organization to present oneself to and request an invitation. In the end, the invitation was based on friendship. Currently, there's no organization that manages this situation either.
It's important that when a municipality requires tasters for a contest, those registered with Conapisco are informed and, in turn, communicate with the associations. In my opinion, less experienced (newers), tasters should participate in district contests, some expert tasters should be invited to guide the tasting according to what the International Organisation of Vine and Wine "OIV" indicates.
As we have explained in other articles, we have three associations of tasters. Neither CRDO-Pisco nor Conapisco nor Indecopi recognizes taster associations. They only recognize the individual taster. If you don't belong to one of the associations, you should not be left out as long as you meet the requirements.
Another issue is that at a Conapisco meeting in May 2019, it was proposed that they no longer call them Official Tasters and/or Aspiring Tasters but simply "Tasters." This seemed like an excellent proposal to me, without discriminating between experienced and less experienced tasters (experts or newers). I insist, the title is of no use if we don't practice constantly.
At that same meeting, it was agreed to create a regulation for tasters. This must be done with the participation of registered associations enabled by National Superintendency of Public Registries "Sunarp". What is the first step to register as a taster and where? What are the current requirements? How to choose the President of the Contest, the Taster Director, and what are the requirements to be appointed? It's important to mention that we don't have a list of tasters who have met the requirements to be considered experienced, and who appoints experienced tasters?
The three associations must agree to create the regulation for tasters, including the standard for evaluating them NTP-ISO 8586:2019 National Institute of Quality "INACAL". Each association must ensure that its members have the necessary tools to be prepared when called upon to taste. The craft of tasting is Ad-Honorem, which is why we must be demanding with the requirements & personal and professional qualities of those who wish to be Pisco tasters, our National Cultural Heritage. Enjoy pisco responsibly.
Til next time!
By Livio Pastorino Wagner
Sommelier, Specialist, and Pisco Taster
Registration: CRDO-PISCO 2020 RCO-034-2011
@elmagozurdo
Cocktail Magazine No. 30, july, 2020
Cocktail magazine (spanish) in issuu
Pisco & music
Cocktail magazine Edition No. 30. July 11, 2020.
July 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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