Peru: Limited Edition Pisco 7.9 Considered Inappropriate

(LIP-ir) -- Yesterday, Peru's Minister of Production, Rafael Rey, announced the debut of the limited edition bottle of Pisco, that is to be given as a token of the Peruvian Government's appreciation to all those that contributed in relief efforts during Peru's time of crisis.

It was announced that less than 1,000 bottles of this exclusive line of brandy would be produced in honor of all the aid foreign countries provided in an effort to help all of the victims of the disastrous magnitude-8 earthquake that shook Peru for over 2 minutes on August 15.

This limited edition Pisco was to be called Pisco 7.9, named after what is thought to be the Richter Scale degree of the earthquake. A special label was made thanking all foreigners for the solidarity they have shown Peru.

Peru's government has had to retract the name placed on this limited edition Pisco after experts stated that Pisco 7.9 was not an appropriate name for the brandy.

"I would like to announce that even though production will continue, the name will be changed, provided that there are different points of views. I have done it with the best intentions and I have to say that it hurts that there are interpretations which are far from the truth," stated Peru's Minister of Production.

Minister Rey also clarified that the project had been organized and begun by Pisco producers in the affected areas. He stated that it had been their way of honoring the earthquake victims.

The new name has not been revealed yet.

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	Limited Edition Pisco as Token of Appreciation for Foreign Aid to Peru (by LIP, Aug 23, 2007)
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# Luis Montalvan says :
25 August, 2007 [ 02:01 ]

Minister Rafael Rey's propossal ---even if it was double touching--- is in bottom line good, but maybe not so good on the way. Doble touching because regards to the tragedy of August 15th and the fact that we don't have the international patent for Pisco. I don't think that the mentioned Minister had had the intention of humilliate the victims.  In fact, I don't realize that any peruvian politician may have even think in doing so.
In my modest opinion the issue on Pisco could be abreviated in: a) Pisco produced in Peru is excellent b) Peru doesn't own the patent, thus cannot sell it internationally c) Peruvian Pisco in the international market would be a tremendous success.

The change of name is a very intrepid idea, but it makes a lot of sense. A rapid solution to a many years problem. Just imagine, our national beverage invading the world market by its own rigth (its great quality and competitiveness), more income for the producers (peruvian companies) more employment for the workers (peruvian citizens) and more taxation for the country (peruvian state). The name change ---only for international purposes--- would not be an offense to the beautiful port of Pisco, neither to its people, or Peru (within our frontiers, Pisco will always be Pisco).

Maybe we still have to agree in a name that may not offend any feeling and that may allow to sell it to the world with a Peruvian patent, I can tell that the international requests for the product would be quiet high due to the quality of our beverage. Abroad, the main issue is the quality of the product.
The idea of the new name could be solved by the creative publishers, since they're the specialists. We need to export more and Pisco is a winning bet. We must not let it go away.

Best regards,

 Luis Montalván BustamanteDNI 10285727

# Fred says :
25 August, 2007 [ 13:03 ]

Give me a fricking break. I didn't think political over-correctness would rear it's ugly head here in Peru. There is absolutely nothing wrong with the name, I even thought it was a great idea. Next thing you know the word "earthquake" will be inappropriate, we'll have to refer to them as "tectonic movements" or something equally stupid.

# Geoff says :
25 August, 2007 [ 14:12 ]

I don't think this is Political Correctness gone mad, just an idea in bad taste. Although the idea supposedly had a genuine intent of thanking those that helped in the relief effort, it still comes across with a commercial edge to it which doesnt reflect the plight of the victims. Give these people a bottle of Limited Edition Pisco for sure, but don't make a catchy brand out of the quake! Do you think helpers in South East Asia in Dec 2004 would have appreciated a bottle of the local tipple named 'Tsunami'?

G

# americorps says :
25 August, 2007 [ 14:24 ]

I have to agree with Jeff, while I do not think there were any bad intentions, it was clearly a thoughtless act as evidenced by the very fact it has distrubed so many people.

Further, the money would have much better been spent on earthquake relief, i know of no volunteer that came here for the Pisco, as wonderful as it is.  They came here becuase there are people in need.

# snoopy is back says :
25 August, 2007 [ 15:58 ]

rafael rey, why didn't you put "Pisco 514" for the number of victims that perished in this catastrophe, Terrible idea! I just read that you made up your mind and change the name...

# Mike says :
26 August, 2007 [ 12:02 ]

I buy Pisco in the USA - so I'm not sure why you (Luis) think it is not available internationally. The stores I have found selling it have never actually known what they were carrying - even the top managers/owners of fine liquor stores!

# americorps says :
27 August, 2007 [ 01:02 ]

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2003840522_pisco17.html

Peru town renowned for its brandy

By The Associated Press

PISCO, Peru — The earthquake-shattered city of Pisco evokes national pride in Peruvians, who consider it the birthplace of the fiery grape brandy of the same name.

Pisco was first produced in the Pisco Valley as far back as the 16th century from grapes brought by Spanish conquerors, Peruvians say. Mixed with lime juice, sugar, ice and egg whites, it makes "pisco sour," Peru's national drink.

But Peru's version of the liquor's origin is vigorously disputed by Chile, which has infuriated Peruvians by trademarking the name and outpacing its rival in pisco exports.

Copyright © 2007 The Seattle Times Company

# Chileno says :
27 August, 2007 [ 13:25 ]

Next thing you Peruanos will be saying the Incas were from Peru! JAJAJA

List of all things Chileno:
Pisco
Incas
Ceviche
Choclo
President Garcia
The Internet
Lago Titicaca
Machu Picchu

...and if we felt like it we could get trademarks and patents on all of these too. You Peruvians and your theft of all things Chileno make me laugh... that you pretend we steal things from you is disgusting.
Viva Chile!

# americorps says :
27 August, 2007 [ 20:23 ]

And that is why Chile lost their bid for Isla Pascual to be a wonder...lost to Brazils Statue of Christ...

and why I am in Peru, not Chile..

There are too many Chilean (I will not say all, by any means..most are decent) but there are too many arrogant dumb people who are happy to make up lies becuse that is what they need to feel better about themselves....

From a country so impotent that they could not even bring Pinochet to justice...

I pity the arrogant minority in Chile, they bring down their country..they may have a stronger economy, but they have the least friendly people and the ones who cause the most drama of all the countries I have been to in South America.  Money without class, honor, or a decent soul is meaningless.

It is a national issue of immaturity.

# Yorkcity says :
28 August, 2007 [ 00:11 ]

in New York City   http://www.hihongkong.ws/entertainment/1450.html

# lily in CA says :
29 August, 2007 [ 13:44 ]

To Americorps:

You are absolutely right!!

I may add, Chile has no history. Not only Chile steels from its neighbors but they are arrogant too. THe native are nice but the european that come to South America for cheaper real estate are rude and arrogant.

Chile stole the border town of Tacna from Peru and the strip of land that BOlivia used to access the Pacific Ocean for years, if not centuries; now they want to steel our Pisco. Shame on you CHile. Maybe God allow this tragedy to happen so the world will know the true about Pisco.

My family has produced pisco for at least three generations, hundreds of years.   

Viva Peru!!!!!

# americorps says :
29 August, 2007 [ 14:44 ]

Lily,

I want to be gaurded with your agreement, because I do not agree with everything you say.

I said, very clearly a MINORITY of Chileans, but far to many...I said, very clearly, the VAST MAJORITY of Chileans are nice respectable honest friendly hard working people.

To say that everyone in any group is the same is biggoted..it is no different if you say all gays are perverts (not true) all black people are theifs (also not true) or all peruvians will rob you (not true).  It is ONLY wrong to make blanket statements like that and I would encourage you to seperate political differences from governments and casting a blanket judgement about any group..those are two very different things.

I hear and understand the anger, but let it go for heavens takes and move forward.

I also think it is far past time for Peru to let go of the war from a hundred years ago, or longer..Yes it was wrong, but everyone involved is dead now and the issue is settled and Peru is only doing itself a disservice to hold on to that as though it was somehow responsible for all the problems in Peru.

I would like to see my adopted country mature and let of that issue and move on.

# lily in CA says :
29 August, 2007 [ 15:05 ]

You are right Americorps. We must move on. 

God Bless Peru!!!! 

# USA says :
19 December, 2007 [ 13:49 ]

el pisco es chilenoo!! entiendan de una vez!!

CHILEAN PISCO IS THE BEST.. PERUANOS STARVINGS..!!

# xc says :
19 December, 2007 [ 22:33 ]

As (I assume) you are Chileno, don't you mean to say...

e pico e chileo!! etenan de una ve!!

CHILEAN PICO I TE BET.. PEUANO STAVINS..!!

etoy un chileo de mier'a, y no pueo puenunciar naa. Que tá hablao? coo que no me entien'e? toy hablao catellao... que te paó?

If Chile managed to make a single friend, maybe someone could send some speech therapists as humanitarian aid.