The scent of muscat, sunshine and Greek islands, discover the magic of Metaxa
On our journey to discover the origins of Metaxa, we found a few facts that might interest you. Let's take a look at what it's made from and what flavors dominate its taste. So what's behind its success?
Metaxa is a spirit made from brandy sweetened with muscat wine and flavored with herbal extracts. This mixture is placed in oak barrels, where it matures for three, five, or seven years. The age of Metaxa is indicated by stars on the label. There are also older bottles of Metaxa, such as 12- or 50-year-old ones, but these are rarely found outside their home country of Greece.
The taste of Metaxa is unique and very pleasant. Muscat wine gives it sweetness, and plant substances provide citrus notes with a subtle hint of coriander. Interestingly, it is an extremely light drink. When drinking it, you may only experience a slight warming sensation. This is despite the fact that it is a full-bodied spirit with an alcohol content of 40 %.
A drop that captures the sun
East of mainland Greece, at the foot of the Aegean Sea, lies the island of Samos. Its inhabitants live a peaceful life here, and for centuries it has been known for its wine production. Muscat wine, one of the main ingredients of Metaxa, is also produced here, in an area known as the drop that catches the sun.
Its origins date back to 1888, when there weren't many alcoholic beverages in the world that would delight you with their taste. Local entrepreneur Spyros Metaxa seized the opportunity for change.
He wanted to create a captivating drink that would have spirit, a pleasant taste, smoothness, but also strength that people could get drunk on. With this goal in mind, the Metaxa company was founded in the city of Piraeus. Its production was initially focused only on Greek communities. However, it gradually spread across the ocean to the USA and later to the rest of the world.
The legendary number 1888 is commemorated by the Metaxy AEN edition. Only 1888 decanters were created with the legendary liquid from barrel number 1. This is the oldest of all the barrels.
Born from beneficial brandy
Brandy, one of the main ingredients of Metaxa, has many benefits. It has anti-inflammatory properties that act as an effective remedy for coughs or sore throats. In addition, it also has soothing and relaxing properties. With its help, it is possible to induce healthy and peaceful sleep.
Thanks to brandy, Metaxa also helps maintain balanced cholesterol levels and contains ingredients that even slow down aging. Many will also be pleased to know that it does not contribute to the easy breakdown of sugars, which are easily stored as fat. If you want to stay in shape, beer is at a disadvantage compared to Metaxa.
You can enjoy it on its own or in various mixed drinks. It goes well with tonic water, for example, but it also shines in classic cocktails such as Mojito or Caipirinha.
