Metaxa
Some call this brandy, others call it a blend of brandy and wine (which is weird to me, since brandy is distilled wine). I love the seven star, and think the three and five are too young. I have never had the older ones (private reserve, grand olimpian reserve, 12 star or 15 star), but would love to, if I could find them.
I have grown accustomed to drinking it with a bit of water. Are there any ways you recommend drinking Metaxa?
madgreek
Nov 30, 2007 11:37AM
I've only had the seven, five and three star. Three star is to me almost undrinkable, way too harsh, and not in a good way like a peaty malt. Five star and seven star I can enjoy. Usually all I ever do is pour some in a snifter and sip it, but Dad likes his on the rocks. I don't think I would do anything other than water, ice or nothing.
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I concur with the Captain. Metaxa Three Star is only good for pouring into coffee at 5 am. The Seven Star is, for me, quite tasty, yet I rarely have it. I enjoy it once a year or so, but much prefer pure brandies.
>>> Some call this brandy, others call it a blend of brandy and wine (which is weird to me, since brandy is distilled wine). <<<
Yes, brandy is distilled wine, BUT . . .
Metaxa is a BLEND of brandy, Muscat wine, and botanicals (including rose petals). The brandy ages in the same type of French oak as Cognac (Limousin oak), and approximately six months prior to bottling, it has the wine and botanicals added to it so the flavors can "marry." See http://www.metaxa.com.gr/
Jason
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I've read up on it. I just find the wording weird when it is described as a blend of brandy and wine.
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Why?
Wine is the fermented from grapes, or other fruits. Yeast converts sugar to alcohol.
Brandy is distilled wine. The alcohol already exists in the wine, and is "concentrated" by the distillation.
These are two VERY different processes, two very different beverages.
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It just seems a funny paradox to me. If it doesn't to you, I'm sorry. Relax.
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I'm not "unrelaxed." I'm trying to understand why you think it's funny, or a paradox.
It seems clear to me that brandy is one thing, and wine another. it also seems clear, to me at least, that a brandy with sweet Muscat wine added to it (among other ingredients) is a very different and distinct beverage than that brandy would be without those additions.
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Your thinking is of course correct, but you're over-analyzing the subject. I guess I'm more or less looking at it from the perspective of the common person off the street, who has little knowledge of spirits. To that person, Metaxa is brandy, where as to one more knowledgeable in the subject it would be considerd a blend. It's pointless semantics really, because we're really just talking about a name. If there is a standard by which to classify brandy (not sure that there is) Metaxa may or may not be included because of its additional ingredients and separate manufacturing process. It doesn't matter either way.
...but i still find it funny.
-btw, you remind me of Joe Pesci in Goodfellas. "Whadda ya mean I'm funny? Like I'm some clown sent here to amuse you? What is so funny about me?" -lol
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I have had some of the older ones - grand reserve or something in a fancy bottle. So delicious. Wouldn't drink it any way but straight,maybe with ice on a hot day but otherwise not.
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I need to inquire about the more mature ones with my local state store(s). I definitely like it more the older it gets. Anyone know what they cost?
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If it's any consolation, I call it a brandy. (As opposed to, say, Grand Marnier [a blend of Cognac and Triple Sec], or B&B [Benedictine and Brandy], which are liqueurs. Go figure.)
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This past summer, we noticed an ad campaign in Athens promoting different Metaxa "recipes". Metaxa and tonic was one and, after hiking to the top of Mt. Lykovittas, we ordered the drink in the posh cafe which was served with an orange slice garnish. It was delicious and refreshing and became our favorite drink during the rest of our vacation throughout Greece (besides Nescafe frappe and retsina of course!).
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