The traditional Georgian drink was created at the oldest cognac factory in the country in the middle of the XNUMXth century.
The enterprise “David Sarajishvili and Eniseli”, located in Tbilisi, is already more than a hundred years old, and the technology used to make “Gremi” is even older.
cocktails with cognac
Brand History
The first Cognac House in Georgia appeared in 1884. It was founded by a talented entrepreneur and philanthropist David Sarajishvili. Before starting to create brandy, the future distiller carefully studied the art of French cognac. Then he surveyed the country in search of a place with a climate and soils that are optimal for growing grapes.
The first bottle of local cognac was released in 1887. And already at the end of the XNUMXth century, the drink was highly appreciated on the international market.
The Georgian product received a gold medal at exhibitions in Paris, Chicago, Brussels, and in 1913 Sarajishvili’s company was awarded the title of “supplier of the imperial court.”
After the death of the great distiller, his wife Ekaterina continued his work. With the advent of Soviet power, the enterprise was nationalized and renamed the Tbilisi Cognac Factory. The plant returned to private ownership only in 1994. The new owner is not related to the famous family, but wished to restore its original name.
Cognac “Gremi” appeared in the line of the House in 1961. It got its name in honor of an ancient village in Kakheti.
Today, the drink is not produced at the Sarajishvili plant and is rarely on sale. But if you try, you can find collectible copies of the Soviet era or new versions of the famous cognac from other manufacturers.
in detail about cognac
Production features
Produce cognac “Gremy” according to the traditional “Charentes” method, borrowed in France.
Local grape varieties are used as raw materials: Sachkhere, Kvareli and Gurjaani.
Exposure is carried out in oak barrels from local oak (“Iberica”). The minimum maturation period is 8–10 years.
The drink belongs to the KVVK category.
Species overview
It is rather difficult to find Gremi cognac in the Russian distribution network. Most often, connoisseurs bring it from Georgia or buy it from collectors.
The range of the famous cognac is represented by the following options (from different manufacturers):
Vintage cognac “Gremi” from Tbilisi KZ
Includes collector’s items from the 60s-90s. Consists of cognac spirits 8-9 years old.
Colour: light golden, taste mild, pleasant. The consistency is velvety, viscous.
The bouquet is dominated by floral, fruity, spicy and vanilla notes.
On the palate, you can distinguish notes of almonds, apples, oak, dried apricots.
Awarded 4 gold and 2 silver medals. Fortress: 43%.
Bolero and Co Grammys
It has a rich dark amber color with golden highlights and a spicy aroma.
Taste: fresh, without alcohol sharpness, with a slight floral flair and vanilla notes.
Exposure: 9 years. Fortress: 40%.
As an appetizer for Georgian cognac, it is recommended to serve beef steak or lamb shish kebab.
Interesting Facts
To master the art of cognac, David Sarajishvili went to France.
Among his teachers was the great distiller Jean Camus, who at that time owned his own Cognac House (“Camus”).
After the death of the founder of the Tbilisi plant, most of his fortune, according to the will, was spent on good deeds: sponsoring the Literacy Society, research institutes, building schools and hospitals, a theater in Kutaisi, etc.
The current owners of the Tbilisi plant sacredly honor the memory of its creator.
In 1994, they reburied the remains of Maestro David and his wife in a chapel in the city center. Also at the enterprise, a monument was erected in his honor and a phaeton was restored, on which he traveled around his possessions.
There is a legend that in 1945 Winston Churchill himself became interested in cognac from Tbilisi, who came to the USSR for the Yalta Conference.
As a result, technologist Vakhtang Tsitsishvili was awarded the Stalin Prize, and in 1961 he created a new cognac recipe (it was Gremy).
famous cognac brands
Relevance: 23.06.2019
Tags: Brandy and Cognac, Cognac Brands