Greek brandy "Metaxa": history and reviews

Among the rich variety of alcoholic beverages can be identified one direction, which causes a lot of controversy and surprised exclamations. It's brandy, home to which is sunny Greece. But many connoisseurs still can not say with certainty that this is brandy or cognac. Yes, we are talking about "Metax" - a unique strong alcoholic drink, which found its admirers all over the world.

Brandy: what is this?

What is brandy is a simple question, after which silence hangs. After all, most do not know what kind of drink, there is only the confidence that it is similar to cognac and just alcoholic.

Brandy is the common name for a number of strong alcoholic beverages prepared according to one common technology, which uses grape alcohol distillate, juice, squeezes or products of fermenting fruit and berries. To attribute this name to a concrete drink can not be, in fact brandy, rather, the technological recipe for manufacturing.

"Metaxa"

"Metaxa" is an alcoholic beverage made using brandy technology. Country of origin - Greece. The drink has a dark golden color, its strength is 38%. "Metaxa" conveys the aroma of dried fruits and muscat, the aftertaste has notes of oak.

Today this drink is the visiting card of Greece and takes an honorable place in the heart of everyone who at least once tasted it.

"Metaxa" is one of the popular alcoholic beverages worldwide and belongs to the brandy by the international alcohol classification. At the same time, it is often compared with cognac, as the manufacturing process is similar to brandy technology. But "Metaxa" is considered to be a unique alcoholic drink that does not have analogues in the whole world. For this reason it is very difficult to equate it to any group of alcohol.

The composition includes herbal infusion, which gives the drink a special taste, even unique. He deserves attention by the fact that his history in the world market is rather short, in comparison with other alcoholic products. Only in the late nineteenth century, Metaxa was able to get out of the shadow of its homeland (Greece), to enter the world market and conquer it.

History of the drink

In the distant 1888 in the city of Piraeus the Greek winemaker Spiros Metaxas launched the production of his own brandy and gave him his name. The emblem of brandy was an ancient Greek coin, the issue of which was dedicated to the great victory of the Greeks over the Persians in the battle at sea in the city of Salamis. The coin was found during the construction of the plant, so this sign seemed important to the winemaker. As you can see today, Spiros Metaxas was not mistaken.

Since the first days of the plant, the Greek brandy Metaxa has been presented to the Greek, Serbian, Russian and Ethiopian royal courts. The nobility of the nobility appreciated the drink, offering the founder to become the main supplier of spirits to the court. Since that time "Metaxu" in Europe is called "Greek silk". It is interesting that from Greek "metaxi" is translated as silk.

Since the beginning of the 20th century, the manufacturers of the Metaxa brand have begun shipments to the United States. In the late 60s of the last century, production areas were moved to Athens, where they are still present. In the late 80's, the trademark "Metaxa" passes under the influence of the company Remy Cointreau.

Manufacturing

The exact recipe for Metaxa is a secret, but the manufacturing process is known for certain. Brandy is made from the wine material of three regions: Corinth, Crete, Attica. Wine alcohol is distilled twice and aged in an oak barrel from 3 to 15 years. The same brand of brand "Metaxa" can be aged for 80 years.

The resulting brandy is mixed with muscat wine from the islands of Samos and Lemos, which has an exposure of 1 year. Then add a secret mixture of fragrant herbs and rose petals. The final stage consists in aging Metaxes in barrels from oak at a temperature of no more than -6 degrees Celsius for 6 months. Then the drink is filtered, bottled and goes on sale.

What is the difference between brandy and cognac?

There is an opinion that cognac and brandy are one and the same drink. Such a statement from the part is true, and partly a delusion. The fact is that the difference between cognac and brandy exists, and considerable. Cognac is a special type of alcoholic beverage produced using brandy technology, but according to a completely different recipe.

Brandy is, in fact, not a drink per se, but a technological process of making alcoholic beverages in the range of 40% to 60% of the fortress. This category includes cognac. Metaxa is produced using brandy technology, so it can be attributed to brandy. But at the same time a special prescription compound separates it from this kind of alcohol. Therefore, asking the question, what is "Metaxa" - this brandy or brandy, you can safely answer that this is "Metaxa".

Kinds

Today Greek brandy "Metaxa" is sold in any country. There are several types of light and at the same time strong drink, which depend on its age, that is, aging under certain conditions in oak barrels.

1. "Metaxa" 3 stars is a brandy with a strength of 38%, aged in oak barrels. It is the most inexpensive, but still a delicious drink.
2. Brand "Metaxa" 5 stars. It is produced by a fortress of 40% of 5-year-old wine spirits. Unique additives of fragrant herbs and rose petals add unforgettable aroma and memorable taste.
3. Brand "Metaxa" 7 stars. The variety is called "Amphora" due to the fact that it is bottled with delicate bottles, reminiscent of the Greek amphora. The drink is aged for 7 years, has a 40% strength, has a rich taste and aroma of dried fruits, vanilla and oak. The golden-brown shade gives the drink a nobility.
4. "Metaxa" 12 stars - this brandy 40% fortress, which is insisted for 12 years in oak barrels.
5. Variety "Metaxa" Grand Fin - elite brandy with a shelf life of 15 years. Packing takes place in bottles made of porcelain or ceramics.
6. "Metaxa" Private Reserve is insisted for 20-30 years. Despite the strength of 40%, it has a mild taste and rich aroma of honey, nuts, spices and oak. It is sold only in Greece.
7. "Metaxa" AEN - exclusive drink, which has no analogues. The aging time in an oak barrel can reach 80 years. In each barrel of brandy, regardless of the variety, there are a couple of drops of Metax AEN. It has a unique taste and aroma of coffee, honey, almonds, herbs and spices.

How to drink?

At home in Greece to "Metaxe" are treated with special love, this drink is savored, drunk long and long. A lot of fans of this brandy have gathered around the world, which means that several ways of using it have appeared.

The first way is to use it in its pure form. Brandy is fed body temperature, poured into a glass of liquor and drunk in small sips. This way you can enjoy the full taste of the drink and feel the whole bouquet and flavor of brandy. From the first sips on the whole body waves of heat begin to be carried, at each subsequent it intensifies. You can add a couple of ice cubes in a glass, but then the flavor of the drink will lose its brightness. It is recommended to add ice in the brandy of Metaxa 5 *. Reviews from connoisseurs of this drink contain recommendations that it is not recommended to add ice in brandy for more than 5 years, this will only worsen its taste.

To "Metaxe" it is accepted to serve light snacks in the form of citrus, grapes, canapes with caviar, milk chocolate, lettuce leaves, cheeses and baked meat.

Brandy with a short aging time can also be slightly diluted with citrus or tonic juice in a ratio of 1: 1. This is done, as a rule, to reduce the strength of the drink. "Metaxa" is added to hot tea and coffee. At the same tea with this drink in Greece is considered curative, it is taken for colds.

Barmen also could not stay away from this divine drink. Today Metaxa is often used as a base for various cocktails.

Cocktails: recipes

If there was a desire to disperse blood, having received a ray of sun, then cocktails based on Metaxa - the best solution.

"Mojito in Greek"

At the core lies the Greek "Metaxa", replacing the Cuban rum, and the basic composition has not changed. It includes:

• Mint (several leaves);
• Sugar - 20 grams;
• Lime - 1 piece;
• "Metaxa" - 50 ml;
• Soda - 1 glass;
• ice.

"Metaxa Sower"

This is a cocktail from the very Spiros Metaxas:

• Orange and lemon juice in half (60 ml);
• "Metaxa" - 50 ml;
• Soda - 100 ml;
• ice.

In the shaker, mix the juices, "Metaxa" and ice for a minute, pour the cocktail into a glass with a volume of up to 300 ml, top up the soda to the brim.

"Alexandra"

The cocktail "Alexander" was created in honor of Queen Alexandra, who ruled England in the early 20th century.

• "Metaxa" - 30 ml;
• Chocolate Liqueur - 30 ml;
• "Bayliss" - 30 ml.

Mix in a shaker and serve in a glass.

The result

In conclusion, I would like to add that anyone who has not tried the luxury alcoholic beverage of Metaxa should do it. After all, it's not for nothing that millions of connoisseurs of unique tastes prefer the brandy of Metaxa. The testimonies of those who have at least once tasted this divine nectar, say that it is worth to go to the end of the world for brandy. But in the modern world there is nothing impossible, and you can go to travel to taste the brandy of Metaxa, even tomorrow. Or you can just buy it in a store or order it online.