Pisco Sour - Favorite Cocktail of Chile & Peru

Guest Authors: Darrell Corti, Rick Mindermann

Sacramento’s favorite foodie, Darrell Corti, and his associates spent 2 weeks eating and drinking their way through Chile in June and documenting the trip on their brand new oodlebox blog. Because I love the store so much, they’re letting me share highlights with you. They’re on a crusade to bring the Pisco Sour to Sacramento.

Here’s a video on Pisco Sours from KCRA

The Wonder of the Pisco Sour

After Darrell told us about the history and wonder of the Pisco Sour, we set a goal for ourselves. We would try to have 100 Pisco Sours between the four of us in the 8 days in Chile. A Pisco Sour is made with Pisco, the national spirit of Chile (Grape brandy), Limon de Pica (a greenish to yellow skinned lime from Chile), and egg white (for body, but a syrup of Gum Arabic is usually substituted), shaken with ice, poured, and then a drop of bitters is usually splashed on top. Every Pisco Sour we had was delicious, but slightly different from the last. They are very refreshing. The most interesting one we had was at Inacap University where they made a version that we can do here in the U.S. since Limon de Pica is not available. They cut the top and bottom off of a lemon. Quartered the lemon, then put it into the blender. They immediately passed it through a fine sieve. This juice was shaken with Pisco, a touch of powdered sugar, and ice. Upon Darrell’s tasting, he said “Maybe we can make a good Pisco Sour at home now”. We’ll let you know what our final count will be at the end of the trip. We’re giving it our best shot…

You may ask - who is Darrell Corti? In 2008, The Culinary Institute just inducted Darrell Corti into the Vintner’s Hall of Fame and Mike Dunne of the Sacramento Bee reported:

On March 7, 2008, Darrell Corti will be inducted into the Vintners Hall of Fame during a $250-a-plate dinner at the Napa Valley branch of the Culinary Institute of America in St. Helena.

Corti is a member of only the second group of prominent wine-trade personalities to be so enshrined – and the first who is neither an academic nor a winemaker.

While he does teach, and while he has made wine, he is principally a Sacramento grocer who stocks his store with foods and beverages rarely found elsewhere: chutneys from Australia, spice blends from Syria, stockfish from Norway, caramels from Montana, marmalade from Sacramento.

But the Vintners Hall of Fame is recognizing Corti largely for his contributions to the understanding and marketing of wine, which he does through writings, lectures, tours and sales.

While he can provoke vigorous debate on the world wine scene with his forthright views on various grape-growing and winemaking issues, he is recognized locally more for his studious attitude, eclectic tastes and generous spirit. He frankly analyzes wines for home winemakers, judges at even small and remote wine competitions, and shares his knowledge and vast library with whoever comes calling, including this reporter on numerous occasions – just one reason I nominated Corti for the Vintners Hall of Fame.

Since he entered the family business full time in 1964, Corti has been an unusually proactive merchant. He has traveled broadly to forage olive oils, wines, teas and other provisions to be found in the United States only at Corti Brothers.

He also began to search out and promote Northern California foodstuffs and wines long before growing and buying “local” had the environmental cachet it enjoys today. Read More

So when you plan your trip to Chile, be sure to stop at some of Darrell’s favorites.

Ichiban Japanese Bistro
Olivares de Quepu
Toro Bayo
O Fournier Vineyards
Vina Chillan
Casa Lapostolles
Espiritus de Colchagua
Casa Santa Cruz
Casa Silva
Raúl Correa & Familia
Matsuri

And, don’t forget to shop at Corti’s!

Website: Corti Brothers

Corti Brothers
5810 Folsom Blvd.
Sacramento, CA 95819
916-736-3800

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