Singani
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Singani is a high-proof brandy made from the Muscat d'Alexandrie grape variety . It is considered the national schnapps of Bolivia and is mainly produced in the traditional wine-growing region of Bolivia, in Tarija . The production is similar to the Peruvian and Chilean pisco . Singani is part of many traditional Bolivian cocktails such as the Chuflay and the Yungueñito .
origin
During the colonial period and in the course of the expansion of silver mining in the mines of Cerro Rico in Potosí , the Spanish began to cultivate vines in the valleys south of Potosí. The production of wine proved difficult due to the geographic and climatic conditions in the Altiplano . For this reason, the distillation of the wine was preferred, which made it possible to produce a spirit that became known under the name Singani.
Large-scale production began in the outskirts of the southern city of Tarija . The plains on the eastern slopes of the Andes at an altitude of about 1,850 m above sea level. NN offer optimal climatic conditions for viticulture. Above all, Julio Ortiz Linares and Franz Kuhlmann, who immigrated from Germany in 1917, did pioneering work. Bodegas Kuhlmann or Kuhlmann y Cia Ltda. with their brand Los Parrales is still one of the leading suppliers of Singanis today. The nationally known brand Casa Real goes back to Julio Ortiz , which is now in the third generation of the company Sociedad Agroindustrial del Valle, Ltda. (SAIV) is produced. In cooperation with Steven Soderbergh , the manufacturer has been exporting Singanis to the USA under the 63 brand since 2011 .
Manufacturing
The raw material for the production of Singani are the grapes of the Muscat d'Alexandrie grape variety . After pressing, the must is fermented in steel tanks for between 5 and 21 days without a mash. The distillation takes place in the alambic where the wine is distilled to 71 ° in one, two or three passes. With Andean spring water it is reduced to drinking strength and matures for a few months in steel tanks before it is bottled.
The leading manufacturers nowadays all use modern production equipment, some imported from the French cognac industry. Singani is typically offered in up to four quality levels: the cheapest variant for mixed drinks (usually with a blue color code), medium quality (red), high quality (black) and, if necessary, special bottlings of the highest quality. There are also a large number of small businesses ( singani artesanal , singani semi-industrial ), which cover all quality levels. The end product is partly sold in small plastic bottles or unadorned large containers, but also in elaborately designed glass bottles for enthusiasts.
Visitors to the city of Tarija are happy to be guided through the factories followed by a tasting.
Controlled Designation of Origin
Singani is a controlled designation of origin, which defines the spirit obtained from Muscat d'Alexandrie and produced in certain Bolivian areas. Law No. 1334 of May 4, 1992 on the Controlled Designation of Origin defines Singani as "a spirit obtained from the distillation of natural wines from fresh grapes, produced and bottled in the places of origin.
The same law defines that the Singani registered designation of origin is reserved for spirits produced and bottled in the central valley of the department of Tarija, the valleys of the provinces of north and south of Cinti and Tomina in the department of Chuquisaca, Sahapaqui, Luribay and the provinces of Loayza and Murillo in the department of La Paz , the valleys of Turuchipa, Cotagaita, Vicchoca, Tumusla, Poco Poco, Tirquibuco and Oroncota of the north and south provinces of Chichas, Cornelio Saavedra and Linares of the Potosí department and other Bolivian production zones which can be defined in the future.
Types of Singani
There are 3 approved types of Singani:
Gran Singani / Singani de Altura
Is the product, usually obtained from the single or double distillation of fermented wines from the Muscat d'Alexandrie grape, picked at an altitude of at least 1,600 meters above sea level. M., produced, distilled, bottled and matured in the zones with controlled designation of origin.
Products in this category have won numerous awards abroad for their high quality in recent years. In the meantime, particularly high-quality, limited-edition Singanis are made from selected grapes with triple distillation.
Singani first choice
Is the product, obtained from the distillation of one or more fermented white Vitis Vinifera varieties, produced, distilled and bottled in the zones with controlled designation of origin.
Singani second choice
Is the product obtained from the marc of one or more varieties of Vitis Vinifera, made, distilled and bottled in the zones with controlled designation of origin.
bibliography
- Austral Spectator: Apuntes sobre Grapas, Piscos y Singanis . = Notes on Grappas, Piscos and Singanis . In: Austral Spectator: Viñas, bodegas & vinos de América del Sur. 2005 . = South American vineyards, wineries & wines . Austral Spectator, Buenos Aires 2004, ISBN 987-20914-1-2 , pp. 564f.
Web links
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Individual evidence
- ↑ "63 veces Singani" La Razón, January 11, 2015. Retrieved on May 19, 2016