Sipping to the Sound of Brazil: Novo Fogo Silver Cachaça and Pedro Aguiar

As the week winds down, another Saturday evening awaits for the relishing in drink and music. This week brings a guitarist to light that many have never heard of, Pedro Aguiar. It also brings to light an equally unfamiliar liquor, cachaça. When I journeyed to Brazil, I was too young to partake in this spirit. But thanks to the small world we live in, this tasty treat can come to me. Our pairing this week is of Pedro Aguiar playing Brazilian works accompanied by the sips of the delightful Novo Fogo Silver Cachaça.

About Pedro Aguiar

The following is the biography from Pedro Aguiar’s website:

Pedro Aguiar was born in Brasília, Brazil in 1990. In 2011 he received his Bachelor of Music at the Goiás Federal University, under the guidance of Prof. Dr. Eduardo Meirinhos. During that time he was granted a scholarship from CAPES/FIPSE to take part in an exchange program for six months at Marshall University, in Huntington, West Virginia (USA), under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Julio Alves.

In 2012, Pedro Aguiar studied in Paris at the Conservatoire de Musique à Rayonnement d Aulnay-sous-Bois, being part of the prestigious class from Judicaël Perroy. In the same year, he won a scholarship from the German Academic Exchange Program (DAAD) to complete his Master of Music at the University of Music and Performing Arts in Munich, under the guidance of Prof. Franz Halasz.

After finishing his Master of Music in Guitar with distinction, he received a scholarship from the Orlandus Lassus Foundation (Rotary Club Munich) and completed a Master of Music in Contemporary Music, working as an Assistant Teacher at the University of Music and Performing Arts in Munich during that time. Pedro Aguiar currently teaches at the Grünwald Music School (Musikschule Grünwald), with students from his class competing at a national level in the prestigious Young Musician competition.

Pedro Aguiar Has Won Fifteen Guitar Competition Prizes, Including:

• ALHAMBRA INTERNATIONAL GUITAR COMPETITION (SPAIN, 2018)
• SALZBURG GUITAR FEST (MOZARTEUM UNIVERSITY, AUSTRIA, 2017)
• XXXIX GARGNANO INTERNATIONAL GUITAR COMPETITION (ITALY, 2014)
• ANDRÉS SEGOVIA INTERNATIONAL GUITAR COMPETITION (LA HERRADURA, SPAIN, 2014)
• DR. LUIS SIGALL INTERNATIONAL GUITAR COMPETITION (CHILE, 2017)
• AACHENER PREIS (GERMANY, 2015)
• VITAL MEDEIROS INTERNATIONAL GUITAR COMPETITION (BRAZIL, 2012)
• PUNTA DEL LESTE INTERNATIONAL GUITAR COMPETITION (URUGUAY, 2011)
• AMARANTE INTERNATIONAL GUITAR COMPETITION (PORTUGAL, 2015)

Pereira, Villa-Lobos, Reis & Others: Works for Guitar by Pedro Aguiar

About the Album

Pedro Aguiar’s album Pereira, Villa-Lobos, Reis & Others: Works for Guitar is a stunning collection of Brazilian guitar music from the 20th and 21st centuries. Aguiar is one of the most accomplished guitarists of his generation, and his performances on this album are masterful. He brings out the beauty and complexity of this music with great skill and sensitivity.

The album opens with Marco Pereira’s O Choro de Juliana, a beautiful and lyrical piece that sets the tone for the rest of the album. Aguiar’s performance is both technically impressive and deeply expressive. He captures the essence of Pereira’s music with great artistry.

The album also includes works by some of the most famous Brazilian composers of the 20th century, including Heitor Villa-Lobos, Dilermando Reis, and Radamés Gnattali. Aguiar’s performances of these pieces are outstanding. He brings out the unique character of each composer’s music, and he does so with great virtuosity and musicality.

In addition to the works by established composers, the album also includes pieces by two contemporary composers, Juan de Dios García Aguilera and Sérgio Assad. Aguiar’s performances of these pieces are just as impressive as his performances of the other works on the album. He shows a deep understanding of this music, and he brings it to life with great passion and energy.

Overall, Pereira, Villa-Lobos, Reis & Others: Works for Guitar is an excellent album of Brazilian guitar music. Aguiar’s performances are masterful, and the music is simply beautiful. If you are a fan of guitar music, or if you are looking for an introduction to Brazilian music, I highly recommend this album.

Let’s Pair The Delightful Novo Fogo Silver Cachaça

What is Cachaça?

Cachaça is a Brazilian distilled spirit made from fermented sugarcane juice. It is often compared to rum, but there are some key differences that set it apart:

1. Base Ingredient: Cachaça is exclusively made from sugarcane juice, while rum can be made from various sugarcane byproducts, including molasses and sugarcane syrup.
2. Origin: Cachaça is specifically a Brazilian spirit, with a long history dating back to the 16th century. Rum, on the other hand, has its origins in the Caribbean and is produced in various countries around the world.
3. Production Process: Cachaça is typically distilled to a lower proof than rum, which often results in a more pronounced sugarcane flavor. The fermentation process for cachaça can vary, with some types allowing wild yeast fermentation, contributing to its unique character.

Cachaça can be categorized into two main types:

1. Cachaça Tradicional (or White Cachaça): This is the unaged version of cachaça and is usually clear in color. It has a fresh and vibrant flavor, with distinct sugarcane notes and a slightly grassy or herbal character. It is often used in cocktails like the Caipirinha, Brazil’s national cocktail.
2. Cachaça Envelhecida (Aged Cachaça): Some cachaça is aged in wooden barrels, which can be made of various types of wood such as oak, balsam, or Brazilian woods like Amburana. Aged cachaça takes on more complex flavors and aromas from the wood, similar to aged rum or whiskey. The aging process can vary from a few years to several decades.

Cachaça is a versatile spirit and is enjoyed in a variety of ways. It can be sipped neat, used as a base spirit in cocktails, or enjoyed in traditional Brazilian drinks like the Caipirinha, where it’s mixed with lime and sugar. Its unique flavor profile makes it an essential part of Brazilian culture and a spirit that is gaining recognition and popularity worldwide.

About Novo Fogo Silver Cachaça

Novo Fogo Silver Cachaça is a Brazilian spirit made from fresh sugarcane juice, similar to rum but with distinct differences. Here’s a general review of its characteristics:

Appearance: Novo Fogo Silver Cachaça typically has a clear and transparent appearance, much like a white rum or vodka. This clarity allows the natural flavors and aromas of the sugarcane to shine through.

Aroma: The aroma of Novo Fogo Silver Cachaça is usually quite fragrant, with notes of fresh sugarcane, citrus, and a subtle grassy or herbal quality. There might also be hints of tropical fruits, such as pineapple or banana.

Taste: On the palate, Novo Fogo Silver Cachaça is known for its clean and crisp taste. It often exhibits a light sweetness from the sugarcane and fruity undertones, along with a mild earthiness. Some drinkers might detect flavors reminiscent of green apples, citrus zest, and a touch of black pepper spiciness. It’s generally smoother and less intense than aged cachaça variants.

Finish: The finish of Novo Fogo Silver Cachaça is usually relatively short and clean. The sweetness and fruitiness tend to linger for a moment, but it doesn’t have the depth and complexity of aged cachaça.

Overall, Novo Fogo Silver Cachaça is a versatile spirit that can be enjoyed on its own, in cocktails, or in traditional Brazilian drinks like the Caipirinha. Its clean and fruity profile makes it an excellent base for cocktails, allowing the flavors of other ingredients to shine through.

Conclusion

In the confluence of music and spirits, we’ve enjoyed the enchanting sounds of Pedro Aguiar’s Brazilian guitar and the vibrant flavors of Novo Fogo Silver Cachaça. Together, they form a symphony of sensations, evoking the essence of Brazil’s diverse landscapes and its spirit. Whether you’re sipping a Caipirinha while swaying to Pedro Aguiar’s melodies or enjoying Novo Fogo Silver Cachaça on its own, you’re partaking in a piece of Brazil’s soul, a reminder of the beauty that emerges when different art forms collide.

This fusion of music and spirits is a celebration of life’s harmonies. As you raise your glass to toast to the sounds of Brazil, may you find inspiration in the melodies, flavors, and shared joy of this extraordinary cultural journey. Here’s to the sound of Brazil, to Pedro Aguiar’s timeless tunes, and to Novo Fogo Silver Cachaça – a toast to the boundless beauty of life’s harmonies. Cheers!

Also, check out our other useful articles:

• Savoring Chateau Lilian Ladouys St. Estephe, 2019, with the Soulful Sounds of Judicaël Perroy
• Harmonious Evenings: Savoring the Sounds of Alirio Díaz Vol. 3 with JURA 12-Year-Old Whisky
• A Mature Pairing: Los Vascos Cromas Cabernet Reserve with Music of Barrios by David Russell
• Savoring Palacios Remondo Propiedad Rioja Garnacha, 2021, with the Soul of Spanish Guitar and Pablo Sainz-Villegas

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Chadwick Becks

I have two degrees in guitar performance and was privileged to study under Aaron Shearer, Tom Kikta, David Skantar, Ken Karsh, Tim Bedner, and currently Christopher Berg. Outside my editorial work on this blog, I teach full-time across many genres including classical, jazz, blues, rock, funk, and metal.