Cognac Gremi is named after the medieval capital of the Kakheti kingdom, the temple complex built in the 1961th century and the city in the Alazani Valley. By order of King Levan, a palace and several churches were erected on a hill, and a rich trading city was located at the foot. This palace with fortress walls is depicted on the label of cognac, first released in XNUMX. The drink was developed by the Stalin laureate, technologist Vakhtang Tsitsishvili. Cognac is produced from authentic grape varieties – “kvareli”, “sachkhere”, “gurjaani”, which is grown in the mountainous regions of Georgia.
The drink line is limited to two versions, based on the French classification, these are Gremy VVSOP (Very Very Superior Old Pale) aged for at least 5 years, and Gremy XO (Extra Old) aged 6 or more years.
Historical reference. Tbilisi Brandy Factory was renamed in honor of the founder David Sarajishvili in 1995, and was established in 1887. The son of a successful entrepreneur, David Sarajishvili, was born in 1848 in Tiflis, studied in Europe – England, Germany. After receiving a doctorate in philosophy and chemistry, he returned home and set about creating a Georgian cognac. Therefore, he left to study the basics of cognac production in France. And already there he was convinced that the grape varieties in his homeland are close to French ones and are quite suitable for producing cognac spirits.
In France, he met and became friends with Jean Camus, the founder of the Camus cognac house. Winemaker Camus, whose company at that time supplied cognac to the Russian emperor himself, helped David with instructions. And when Sarajishvili was about to go home, he provided him with all the necessary equipment.
It was in 1886, and a year later David built his own factory, where French technologies and Georgian wine materials were used. In fact, Sarajishvili became the founder of cognac production in the Russian Empire. Many technologies are still in use today.
Since 1889, the plant’s products have been presented at exhibitions in Chicago, Paris, and Brussels. In 1902, David received the status of a commercial adviser and actively promoted Georgian cognacs on the international market. A successful businessman and philanthropist died in 1911, leaving no heirs. The company was run by his nephews.
Then the First World War began, the October Revolution broke out. Production did not stop, but production volumes decreased significantly. Despite difficult times and a change in the location of the plant, which was reconstructed in the 50s of the last century, even spirits distilled by Sarajishvili in 1893 were saved. And now half a million decalitres of spirits and ready-to-drink cognac are aging in above-ground storage facilities.
Belongs to JSC “David Sarajishvili and Eniseli” since 1995, the Georgian businessman Zurab Bubuteishvili.
Interesting facts about Gremi
- Cognac spirits age in a ventilated room at a temperature of 15 to 20 ° C in barrels made of Iberica wood – from Georgian oak growing on rocks. This wood has a special density – over 700 kg / m3, and a pleasant smell, which helps to form the color and aroma of the future drink.
- The technological process is based on the French (Charentes) method.
- In terms of taste, the drink differs from Georgian cognacs – it is softer, lighter, and there are floral notes in the aroma, like drinks from the Krasnodar Territory.
- Gremi is one of the five most popular Georgian cognacs in Russia.
Characteristics of cognac “Gremi”
The drink with a strength of 43% has the color of amber resin on a sunny day with golden reflections. The aroma is fresh, with apple and spring floral notes. Balanced taste with hints of vanilla, flowers and dried apricots. Pleasant warm and slightly tart aftertaste.
Bartenders and restaurateurs traditionally recommend cognac as a digestif. But Georgians also drink Gremi at dinner, believing that it perfectly sets off the taste of meat dishes, especially those cooked on the grill – with smoke.
