Metaxa 12 Star Greek Spirit 40%

Metaxa 12 Star Greek Spirit is a true Greek original. It is a muscat wine, fortified with spirit and flavoured with Mediterranean botanicals. The number of stars on the label denotes the age of the spirit. In this case, Metaxa 12 Star Greek Spirit is aged for 12 years.

Metaxa was founded by Greek merchant and entrepreneur Spyros Metaxas. A descendent of silk merchants, Spyros was used to the finer things in life and had sampled many wines and spirits whilst on his many journeys across the world. The first spirit was distilled in 1888 at a specially built distillery in Piraeus, the port of Athens.

The unique character of Metaxa derives from is production. It is a blend of brandy and wine made from sun-dried Savatiano, Sultana and black Corinth grape varieties. This is then blended with aged Muscat wines sourced from the Aegean islands of Samos and Lemnos along with Mediterranean botanicals. The man in charge is the “Metaxa Master”, the current Metaxa Master, Constantinos Raptis, is the fifth in line since 1888. For more than 25 years, he has been overseeing the entire creation process. He is the man who makes the selection of the muscat wines and brandy that are suitable for the purpose. These are aged separately until Raptis chooses which parcels should then be married in Limousin oak casks for at least a year with the final addition of Mediterranean botanicals including herbs and May rose petals.

Metaxa also produce, amongst other things, a 5 star, 7 star and an Ouzo.