”The technical definition of a brandy implies aging in wood. You can tell because all brandies are caramel-colored. However, it is true that both pisco and brandy are made from grapes. Pisco is a clear spirit that, at first impression, looks like a grappa. But it isn't. Grappa is made from pomace, what's leftover after wine is made: the stems, the skin, the seeds, et cetera. Most companies that produce wine will take the leftovers and they will re-hydrate, re-ferment, and distill. That's grappa, as it's known in Italy.

”What Portón does is crush the grapes, macerate, ferment, turn it into wine, and then take that to the still.”