Livio Pastorino

Pisco and its Contests "Pisco Sour"

Another activity during the celebration of our flag cocktail on the first Saturday of February are the contests, in which I have had the honor to participate as a judge. Several aspects are judged in these events: […]

Contests: Codes & Results

Some time ago, I was at a coordination meeting for judges at a National Pisco Contest, with the presence of the president, the tasting director, and the observer from the International Organization of Vine and Wine (OIV), of which Peru is a member. I asked the observer a question: […]

Tacna: Pisco Region

A while ago, I met a reader of my pisco newsletter, from Arica, Chile, who always joked around. "Pisco is not from Peru," he would say, followed by a laugh. Then he would apologize and tell the affection he had for Tacna. […]

"Taster's trade" In the land of Pisco...

It's said that the Roman Emperor Marck Antony always had a food taster by his side, so I went to look for information and found this story I share with you, an example of a food taster doing his job. […]

Legends of the vineyards

One of the most important phases in grape cultivation occurs after the harvest. The vineyards go through what we call "vegetative rest"; the vine loses its leaves and only the woody part remains. […]

Accumulators of Experiences

It is said that tasters are accumulators of experiences and they are not wrong. We are always looking for new sources of aromas and flavors to gather the most information in our olfactory memory about different products, […]

Two different spirits

I have been asked several times about the difference between pisco and the spirit produced in Chile. I won't discuss the issue of pisco's Peruvian origin, as I consider that matter settled. […]