Metaxa
Metaxa is the brand name of a Greek brandy - spirit made from grapes . The brand has belonged to the French spirits group Rémy Cointreau since 2000 .
Emergence
The winemaker Spyros (Spyridon) Metaxas ( Greek Σπύρος (Σπυρίδων) Μεταξάς ) moved from the island of Kefalonia to Attica in 1880 . A few years later he bought vineyards there in order to set up as a winemaker. Since the acquired vineyards were planted with different grape varieties, he decided to distill the wine and combine it with herbs instead of marketing it as such. After several years of experimentation, he brought the Metaxa brandy onto the market in 1888. An ancient coin with a warrior was chosen as the logo, which was found during the excavation of the factory building. This can still be found stylized on the labels.
In particular, the presentation of the new spirit at the world exhibitions of that time made Metaxa internationally known and brought the new drink many awards. Spyros Metaxas was appointed purveyor to the Greek and Serbian court . From 1900 Metaxa was also exported to the USA. In 1968 Metaxa moved to today's factory. In 1989 the family sold the company to Distillers & Vintners (IDV) , and in 2000 Rémy Cointreau acquired the majority.
Quality levels
The different versions differ primarily in the length of time they are stored. The simplest is the three-star Metaxa, which is only offered in a few markets. Mainly five-star (stored for at least five years) and seven-star Metaxa (stored for at least seven years) are sold.
For a long time, the twelve-star Metaxa was only offered in Greece. It is now also offered in Germany. The Grande Fine with specially selected distillates is stored in Limousin oak barrels for at least 15 years .
The oldest, rarely offered, version is the Metaxa Private Reserve, which has been stored for 30 years (previously 40 years) .
variants
Limited versions are issued on various occasions, such as the Metaxa Grand Olympian Reserve or the Metaxa Centenary, which is sold in numbered bottles and costs a few hundred euros. They differ in the addition of rare herbal and plant extracts.
particularities
Although it is mostly a classic brandy, the recipe of the Metaxa differs from this one by the addition of a secret mixture of herbs. It is therefore sold as a Greek specialty spirit and not as a brandy. All Metaxa species are stored in oak barrels. This treatment colors the metaxa golden yellow. Furthermore, this is subjected to various refinement processes, including 48 hours of storage at −6 ° C with subsequent deep filtration .
Others
- The Dutch tulip liqueur Amanda used to consist largely of Metaxa brandy.
- In the Greek cuisine offered as such in Germany , Metaxa is used, especially in some types of gyros . In Greece, the use of brandy to make gyros is unknown.
- At times, the Ouzo 12 distillery also belonged to Metaxa.
