How Much Pisco is Enough??

On October 22 our stop is San Martin, Peru and we go to Huacachina.  I really do think my Spanish is getting better!!  Maybe because I’m immersing myself in it??Or should I say in the Pisco!!  Anyway in Africa it was Oozo or something spelled like that but here everything is Pisco and it’s fun to say especially after a few shots!  Our tour is a full day tour and our friends Linda and Andy are on it. The tour is through Machu Picchu Tours of Peru.  Our first stop is to the first vineyard in Peru, Caravedo which is a beautiful upscale establishment with its own hotel too.  It’s a chance to learn about the vineyards, history , tradition and production. And no tour like this is complete without tasting!  This winery dates back to 1540 and is the oldest in South America.  When we first arrived they gave each of us our choice of a large can of cold flavored sparkling Pisco and I chose the Line.  It was delicious with a little kick!

Pisco has different flavors and aromas according to the grapes. Moscatel is called the Sophia Loren of wines made from quebranta grapes. It is a soft aroma but a little strong.  It used to be for men only.  It is a Peruvian variety where other varieties were brought by the Spanish. Mollar Pisco is like tropical fruit. The Mehta Criollo grape was brought to the Americas from the Canary Islands. Uvina grapes are a hybrid grape not used for Pisco. The Albilla grape is fresh like a mint candy. 

Italian wines have the most famous aromas that hide the alcohol. 

Pisco is all colorless. 

Grapes are harvested here in March. This winery has 24 hectares of grapes. The Andes Range borders the grape fields and has the perfect blend of soils for the grapes and climate. The original house that stood here was destroyed in 2007 by an earthquake.   

The original wine vat areas 

Pisco means little bird. There is the Pisco River, port and city. They used to ferment corn and make alcohol from corn. The vessels originally that held Pisco were shaped like a big carrot which allowed air to flow through the shape and it also kept it cool. They would bury the point under ground for stability and then you had to lift it up to pour it out which was very heavy and sometimes took two people. 

The beautiful vineyards with the Andes in the background. 

The original crank to mash the grapes for the juice. 

This was the original area for the juice to flow into and then go down the drain into vessels. 

The original vessels with the beautiful hotel in the background.  The grounds were manicured and lovely. 

The old vats that used to hold the Pisco. Keeping them in the ground kept them cooler also. 

New vats now. 

Then to the dunes and dune buggies!! This is the Huacachina Oasis also. It is five minutes from the city of Ica. The buggy ride was wild!  Several folks opted out of it.  You were strapped in and it was quite a hike up to where you actually got on.  It was also a pretty hot day. 

Lots of them!!

These two ladies were 78 and 83 and they loved it!!

The oasis with souvenir shops and restaurants, benches to sit on in shady locations and little paddle boats. 

And a break for a snack and local beer!!

And also did I tell you Pisco can be 43% alcohol?!!!  

“ I am not the same having seen the moon shine on the other side of the world”.  Mary Anne Radmscher