Pairing Pisco with chocolate? You bet!
A good times gal like me would be remiss without mentioning the Pisco and chocolate tasting we experienced at Xocolatl during our chocolate travels in Lima.
I had always thought a deep dark chocolate went best when paired with a big red wine like Malbec. But I’m now learning that there are many other libations that pair very nicely with chocolate, and chocolatier Giovanna Maggiolo wanted to be sure we understood that the Peruvian brandy was no exception.
Pisco tasting with sommelier Lucero Villagarcia at Xocolatl
Learning from a Pisco Sommelier
She invited Pisco sommelier Lucero Villagarcia to teach us about the clear, distilled liquor made from the bitter Pisco grapes grown between Lima and Tacna along the beautiful Peruvian coast. The grapes come in both white or red, and it takes seven kilos of grapes to make one bottle of Pisco. No wonder it’s relatively expensive to buy at about $40 a bottle. This site shows the different varieties you can buy.
Eight different varietals of grapes produce different varieties of Pisco, basically divided into aromatic and non-aromatic with all sorts of exotic flavour enhancements to entice you.
The non-aromatic Quebranta variety offers hints of apples and raisins. The Mollar variety features hints of apples, herbs, citrus and pecans. The aromatic Italia variety is fruity, with floral flavours and hints of lemongrass and roses and is my personal favourite. And the Muscatel variety offers hints of peach, pineapple and plum.
Any of these can be blended with the Pisco grape to make one of the four major types of Pisco as designated by the regulatory board:
- PURO Pisco is made from only one varietal of grape (pure, single origin).
- AROMATICAS is an aromatic Pisco primarily made from Muscat-derived grapes and is unique to Peru.
- ACHOLADO Picso is a blend of two or more grapes and generally used in Pisco Sour cocktails.
- MOSTO VERDE Pisco is made from unfermented wine and results in a smoother, sweeter and less intense liquor bearing the most expensive price tag of the four types.
Pairing chocolate with Pisco
my lovely tasting companion, Virginia, smiling after the fourth or fifth shot of Pisco!
- 1 cup pisco
- 4 cups ice
- 1/3 cup lemon juice
- 1/3 cup white sugar
- 1 egg white
- aromatic bitters to flavour
You’ll find Xocolatl’s Pisco-chocolate beverage on the top shelf in Giovanna’s Lima shop
Hi there Doreen! Somehow surfing around on internet ended me up on the blog, recognizing Lucero who we joined on a Pisco Promotion Tour in Europe. I myself am an importer of High Quality Pisco into the Netherlands and Europe.
What I would like to share is the following: One of our brands has started the production of a combination of 2 things you might like: Pisco & Chocolate as a drink. It is called Piscolatte and is being produced by Pisco El Alambique – they have not yet started any marketing around it. It is truely amazing! Pure chocolate in Pisco – with of course (condensed) milk added to be drinkable.
Something that you should try out someday – if there is any good way to get it to Canada. I got a recent photo (this week) here of the El Alambique collection I have, with the Piscolatte on it too:
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=469404953119984&set=pb.107107259349757.-2207520000.1360765538&type=3&theater
For any info further (also on how way less than $40 – say $25 and less will get you a amazing Pisco as well) please e-mail me!! I will be surely reading more on your blog! Cheers, JJ
Thanks for your comment, Jan, and for finding my blog!
Giovanna Maggiolo who runs the Xocolatl shop in Lima does sell a bottled drink of chocolate and Pisco. I bought a bottle and LOVED it! I mention it in the last paragraph of my post, and include the link to her site.
Would definitely be interested in trying your brand if you can somehow get a bottle to me here in Canada.
Thanks again for stopping by and joining the conversation.
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Thanks for your interest in my blog, Jacqueline. It is my intent to keep advertisers on this blog to the categories of anything travel related and anyone within the chocolate industry. I will carry forward this discussion with you via e-mail.
Have enjoyed reading all your Peru blog posts, and many of the others, too! Sounds like a great trip — I won’t be in Lima long, but I will definitely check out the restaurants you reviewed. And I am writing down the chocolate and Pisco brands, too — thanks so much!
You’re welcome, JoBeth. Thanks for dropping into the blog.
I hope you enjoy Peru. It certainly left its mark on me. (And I’m not just talking about the bug bites you see in this post: be-prepared-for-international-travel/. I hope you find the advice helpful!)
Thanks, Adeline. Nice to see you here again on the blog.
It’s fascinating trying different food and drinks around the world. I haven’t yet been to the Philippines, but I certainly enjoyed some Filipino food as a good friend of our was married to a lovely Filipino lady. (They’ve both since passed on.)
I hear there’s some good chocolate there, too! If you know a good chocolate maker there, maybe you can connect us so that he/she can send me some! Thanks!
Very interesting post, Doreen. I haven’t gotten the chance to try Pisco yet, but I’ll definitely keep your tips on how to drink it when I get the chance. Thanks so much for sharing this.
I haven’t tried Pisco as well as wine and chocolate combination. If it’s chocolate, whatever comes with it is a winner! Ha ha! Would love to try it some other time. 🙂
Hi, Susan. Be sure to look for an aromatic type. As mentioned, I prefer the Italia variety of Pisco with its fruity/floral undertones. Maybe it’s the lemongrass that cinched it for me. Kind of like a fine brandy. Good for sipping and contemplation.
Have a tremendous trip to FLA. If you’re anywhere near Naples or Fort Meyers, be sure to check out the Black Collection by Norman Love. AMAZING! More on that at im-in-love-with-norman-love-chocolates/. Cheers!
I have not tried Pisco. I will be putting this on my list to do as soon as I return from my trip in France. You know me, anything that goes with chocolate always has me hooked. Thanks for writing about this and I love your pictures too. :)))
My husband and I looove experiencing a new country through its desserts and liquors. Pisco Sour really did grow on me, even in the traditional mix of a floating egg white. When in Rome!! But Pisco with ginger ale is the best 🙂
Right on, Melissa! For me, experiencing the best of the local cuisine is a must, as well as visiting farmers’ markets to see what’s grown locally and how it all looks in its raw, unadulterated form.
And of course … the local drink specialties! Next time you have a chance, try the Pisco neat (straight up.) You just might find you like it!
Mmmm…brandy and peruvian chocolate… Food love! 🙂
It sounds like you’re having fun. I’ve never had wine with chocolate but it sounds like a good combo. I’ll have to try it. Thanks for sharing!
Just reading about the wine and chocolate makes my mouth water. Great way to make a living!
Thanks for dropping into the blog, Jeannette.
Yes, it’s a dirty job, but somebody has to do it! All kidding aside, I love what I do and feel most fortunate to be doing it. The real reward will come when my book comes out to positive reviews. It’s been a long time coming!
That would indeed be lovely! But I’m afraid I’d best get down to writing the book. So many marvellous opportunities keep arising and as you know, dear Virginia … I am easily diverted!
Thanks again for dropping into the blog, and for being a most enjoyable tasting companion.
That WAS a fun day. Perhaps because of the relatively high alcohol content, the Pisco gives the chocolate more of a melt-in-the-mouth feel than red wine does. And it’s a cleaner fusion.
Roger and I hope to be reliving the Pisco Sour experience at the Peruvian ‘Pop Up” a few blocks from us on Friday. Thanks for sending the details and wish you could join us (just use up those air miles and come to TO for the weekend!).
Thanks for dropping into the blog, Bidhurani. Pisco is actually a brandy (more than a fortified wine) so it’s got quite the punch and has more than 40% alcohol by volume. A little goes a long way. Just like with good quality chocolate …. you only need a small piece to enjoy the flavour!
Wine and Chocolate…Great Doreen. Nice pictures too. Thanks for sharing.