Metaxa
Greek amber blend of spirits and Muscat wine, aged in oak.
Metaxa is a line of branded Greek alcoholic drinks created in 1888 by Spyros Metaxa. It is a flavored amber blend of spirits and Muscat wine, aged in oak barrels, and known for its numbered star designations that indicate age, number of base spirits and wines, or quality level.
- Field
- Alcoholic beverage production
- Nationality
- Greek
- Known for
- Metaxa branded amber blend of spirits and Muscat wine with star designations
- Founder
- Spyros Metaxa
- Founded
- 1888
- Headquarters
- Kifissia, Athens, Greece (since 1968)
Lore & Background
Spyros Metaxa was born in 1848 into a family of Greek silk merchants. Exposed during his travels to spirits and wines from around the world, he created Metaxa in 1888 when he owned a tavern. The 'Salamina Warrior' emblem was inspired by an ancient medallion he found when building his distillery in Piraeus in 1888. In 1968, the distillery and cellars were relocated to new facilities in Athens's northern suburb of Kifissia.
Metaxa uses sweet Muscat wines sourced from the island of Samos, where grapes are cultivated in terraces and hand-picked. The wines are aged several years and somewhat oxidized. The maker used to buy wine from independent vintners but has begun making its own from fruit grown in its own vineyards. Base brandies are primarily from Greece, distilled from sun-dried grapes. These ingredients are aged separately and then combined in Limousin oak casks. Mediterranean botanicals, including May rose (also a component of Chanel No. 5 perfume), are added as part of the finishing process. The result is aged for at least two years but in some cases decades.
Reader's Guide
Metaxa represents a distinctive Greek contribution to the world of spirits, blending brandy and Muscat wine with Mediterranean botanicals. Its star designations—5 Star, 7 Star, 12 Star, and Private Reserve (with 3 Star not exported)—reflect either age, number of base spirits and wines, or quality level, though the article notes uncertainty among sources. Originally labeled as cognac and then brandy until naming regulations prohibited it, Metaxa remained in private hands until sold in 1989 to Grand Metropolitan, which sold it in 2000 to Rémy Cointreau. The company's master distiller or master blender as of 2025, Konstantinos Kalpaxidis, is the sixth since 1888. Metaxa's production methods—using Samos Muscat wines, Spanish and Italian base brandies, and Limousin oak aging—create a unique profile that has made it a notable Greek export.
Did You Know?
- Metaxa was created in 1888 by Spyros Metaxa, who was born in 1848 into a family of Greek silk merchants.
- The 'Salamina Warrior' emblem is inspired by an ancient medallion Spyros Metaxa found when building his distillery in Piraeus in 1888.
- May rose, a component of Chanel No. 5 perfume, is added as a Mediterranean botanical during the finishing process.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Metaxa?
Metaxa is a Greek amber-colored alcoholic beverage that combines a blend of various spirits with Muscat wine and is matured in oak barrels.
Who invented Metaxa and when?
Spyros Metaxa established the brand in 1888, creating what would become one of Greece's most recognizable alcoholic drink lines.
What do the stars on a Metaxa bottle represent?
The numbered star designations on the label signal details such as the drink's aging period, how many base spirits and wines were blended, or its overall quality ranking.
How is Metaxa made?
The production process involves blending multiple spirits with Muscat wine and then aging the mixture in oak barrels to achieve its characteristic amber hue and smooth flavor profile.
Where is Metaxa based?
The company has operated from Kifissia, a suburb of Athens, Greece, since 1968.
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