lunes, 31 de marzo de 2014

In the land of Pisco... Getting to know our Pisco

Pisco / Peru more than 400 years of History & Tradition (1613-2013).

Continuing with our section “Getting to know our Pisco,” this month we present another of our non-aromatic Pisco varieties: the Mollar.

Mollar Grape
Name: Mollar.

It is a non-aromatic variety with a bright red copper color. It is generally produced in small quantities and often found growing in the shade of Quebranta grape plants.

Origin: The Canary Islands, Spain


Name Origin: The Mollar grape, which can be white or red, derives its name from the way it is grown and shaped. A stick from the “molle” plant (which produces either Aguaribay or peppers), is planted as a tutor, or a plant for the Mollar grape to graft onto. When the molle plant produces roots, it grows along with the grape variety, offering the plant a means of support along its trunk and branches until it reaches considerable size. This helps ensure elevated production levels, and excellent plant conditions due to the good ventilation and aromatic intensity of the molle’s seeds, which prevent the proliferation of cryptogamic diseases. One can still see old grape vine stock which has been grafted upon the molle trunk.

Other varieties:
Mollar Cano has a high sugar content which is most fully appreciated when served in hot punches, or sweets. Its wines, which are light in color, are not great quality. Also, Almuñeco (La Palma), Listan Morado, Listan Negro (Tenerife), Listan Prieto, Mollar Negro, Negra común (in Lanzarote).

Ampelographic Characteristics
Plant: Variety with a bright red copper color
Root: Conical shape, medium sized, leading off to branches
Fruit: Clusters with medium oval shape, rosy-purplish tint, average diameter 1.3 cm

Cultivated area: from 10 to 100 Hectares.

Work presented by LPW
Career Specialist and Pisco Taster
Tasting Course II IDVIP October 2007

elpiscoesdelperu

Translated by Katrina Heimark 

viernes, 21 de marzo de 2014

In the Land of Pisco... Pisco / Peru: the country you’ve never visited "Pozuzo"

Pisco / Peru more tan 400 years of History & Tradition (1613-2013).

By Gillian Autton
South American Explorers

Did you know that there are Peruvians with blonde-hair and blue-eyes living in the Peruvian Central Jungle? Did you know that  they also speak German and dance the polka?

An approximate 10-hour journey from Lima will take you to the towns of Oxapampa and Pozuzo, the site of a German-Austrian colony, which still today maintains many German customs and foods. The most interesting thing about this colony is its unique mix of German and Peruvian culture. If you have the opportunity to visit, it is definitely worth it!

History
The towns of Pozuzo and Oxapampa were founded in 1891 by German-Austrian colonists. The colonization originated in 1853 with an agreement between Baron Damian Freiherr von Schutz-Holzhausen and the Peruvian government to bring 10,000 colonists from Prussia. After a four-month rough boat trip, the colonists arrived at Callao, near Lima, where they encountered a civil war. While some of the colonists remained in Lima, most moved to the jungle through the Port of Huacho, and toward their final destination, which is today called Pozuzo.

Although 10,000 colonists left Prussia, only 170 actually finished the 2-year journey to Pozuzo, with some dying but most settling in towns along the way. In 1891, Father José Egg established Pozuzo as an important cattle-raising town.
Today about one-third of the inhabitants of Pozuzo and Oxapampa are descendants of the German colonists. It is common to see locals with blonde hair and blue eyes, and traditional German wooden chalets can be found dotted across the countryside.
In Pozuzo, the German influence is even greater. Most still speak the language and eat the traditional foods of their ancestors.

What to do?
While the history and culture of the area is its main attraction, there are also a number of activities you can participate in here. Oxapampa has a bat cave, which you can tour and explore. There is also a sugarcane farm nearby, and not far outside Oxapampa is the Catarata El Encanto (The Waterfalls of Enchantment), which are 3 sets of waterfalls, with deep plunging pools. Near Oxapampa, the Yanachaga National Park is a recognized UNESCO biosphere reserve. It serves as a home to various orchids, cedars, deer, 427 different bird species and the spectacled bear. It is also the home to the Yánesh and Ashánika native communities. Definitely worth a visit!

In Pozuzo, rafting and canoeing are popular activities. In addition, the central plaza is home to the 18th century San José church, and the Schafferer Museum, which holds a small but very interesting collection of antiques and photos from colonial times. You may also take a walk to see a traditional house. The walk is beautiful – it gives you a great opportunity to appreciate the wide range of flora and fauna, and once you get to the house, you can also visit the Museo Egg Vogt. Nearby is Recreo Guacamayo, which is made up of natural swimming pools, as well as a viewing point for Gallitos de las Rocas, Peru’s national bird.

This area is especially great to visit during the holidays. In March/April, during Holy Week, there are many celebrations and parties, food and dancing. The date changes every year though, so check before you go. The Selvámonos festival, an annual festival held in October, celebrates the cultural background of these towns. The festival promotes the local food (a mix of German and Peruvian), artists and dances, and even has circus acts as entertainment! If you are in the area during October, this is definitely one place you can’t miss!

Getting There
There are direct buses from Lima to Oxapampa through Transportes Oxapampa and Lobato. This is a 10-hour trip, but if you want to break it up, you can book a trip to San Ramon or La Merced, then take a colectivo to Oxapampa. To get to Pozuzo, you can take one of the four daily colectivos from Oxapampa.

South American Explorers
For more information on Oxapampa and Pozuzo, visit the South American Explorers clubhouse, where you can buy our North Jungle info pack! We are located at Calle Piura 135, Miraflores (near Av. Arequipa). South American Explorers is an independent traveler’s club. We are a non-profit organization that provides information to travelers and a home-away-from-home in South America. We have clubhouses in Lima, Cusco, Quito and Buenos Aires. For further information on the club and our member benefits, visit us at: www.saexplorers.org

We would like to thank Mrs. Gillian Autton for allowing us to post this article.

Translate by Katrina Heimark



elpiscoesdelperu

viernes, 7 de marzo de 2014

In the lando of Pisco... Peruvians and the Chilcano de Pisco week


Pisco / Peru more than 400 years of History & Tradition (1613 -2013). 

It has been five years since the Peruvian cocktail, Chilcano de Pisco, was distinguished for the first time with a whole week of celebrations on its honor. This year, Chilcano’s Week, will be celebrated from January 10th to January 19th under the motto, ‘Learn about Pisco, learn about Peru.’
Chilcano’s Week begins this January 9th with an inaugural tour featuring an imaginary journey over the five regions where Pisco is produced: Arequipa, Ica, Lima, Moquegua, and Tacna.

If you are lucky to have a bottle of the Peruvian white spirit, Pisco, you may want to try making a Chilcano de Pisco at home; the following is the recipe:

Ingredients:
Ice cubes
2 oz. of Pisco
¼ oz. of lime juice
2 slices of lime
Ginger Ale

Method: Mix Pisco, 1 slice of lime, and lime juice, in a long glass (highball). And then, add ice and top with ginger ale.
Garnishment:  1 slice of lime on the edge of the glass.



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