Definition: Peru

Vine cultivation dates back to around 1547, with plants originating from Spain. In the 1560s, Peru is thought to have had 40,000 hectares of vineyards. Today, only 11,000 hectares remain, with the Tamaca vineyards benefiting from the cool climate of the Pacific coast. Their Cabernet Sauvignon and a sparkling wine made using the Champagne method, produced according to the advice of Emile Peynaud, are decent. The national drink is pisco, named after the river and city of the same name, an aromatic brandy made from grapes. It is likely that pisco helped solve transport problems to the markets of Lima and Cuzco.