Livio Pastorino

Back To Basics

One of the most important topics in the Pisco tasting methodology course is the basic guide. It consists of three phases that are distributed according to one of our senses. It starts with sight (view): what do we perceive? […]

A personal exercise

When we talk about grape descriptors, their aromatic profile or other indicators, some people unfamiliar with wine tasting wonder about the origin of that information: is there any technical support that confirms it? […]

Tasting Talks

During a conversation among friends, the curious question arose of how tasters avoid getting drunk. I explained that tasters don't drink the evaluation sample in one go, as that's prohibited. Imagine what would happen! […]

The Taster trade

According to historian Lorenzo Huertas in his book "Chronology of Wine and Pisco Production in Peru (1548-2010)," the craft of "wine tasting," or mojonería, (taster trade), has been present in Peru since the 16th century. In 1595, […]

The Acholados (Blended)

Where does the word Acholado come from? There are several stories about it, but the one I like the most is from the great Pisco cocktail maker, Bartender Hans Hilburg. He mentions that […]

Origin of Pisco

Whenever Pisco is mentioned, so is adulteration. This reminds me that it not only affects this distilled beverage but also many other alcoholic beverages. […]

something about our grapes and Pisco producing regions

We already know that according to the current regulations of the Pisco Appelation of Origin, Pisco can only be produced in Tacna, Moquegua, Arequipa, Ica & Lima. Additionally, our 8 Pisco grapes are: quebranta, mollar, negra criolla, uvina, italia, torontel, moscatel, and albilla. […]

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?" […]