The first Georgian wine brandy was released over a hundred years ago – in 1887. And it was a brandy created by David Sarajishvili. The talented philanthropist laid the foundation for local cognac production, having studied French technologies in detail and carefully adapting them to local winemaking.
The famous businessman has long been dead, and his business continues to delight fans with exquisite drinks worthy of the royal table.
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Brand History
Before starting the production of a new product for Georgia, David Sarajishvili deeply immersed himself in the intricacies of cognac business, having gone to the birthplace of the drink – to France.
It is said that among the teachers of David was Jean-Baptiste Camus himself, who founded the legendary Cognac House, known throughout the world.
The time for bold undertakings was chosen appropriately. The business and cultural life of Georgia was in full swing at the end of the 1884th century: printing houses, banks, theaters, editorial offices were opened. And the new cognac factory, founded in Tbilisi in XNUMX, successfully fell into this wave of active development.
Of course, it was not without hard work: David devoted all his time to creating high-quality grape brandy.
The logical result of purposefulness and diligence was international recognition: already in the 1890s-1910s. Georgian cognac brand received gold medals at exhibitions in Paris, Chicago and Brussels.
In 1913, the Tbilisi plant was awarded the title of “supplier of the imperial court.”
After the death of David Sarajishvili in 1911, the company was headed by his wife Ekaterina, who made a significant contribution to its development.
With the coming to power of the communists, the enterprise passed into the possession of the state and ceased to bear the name of the creator. It returned to the plant only in 1994.
Today, over 250 awards are called on the brand’s account, which speak of the successful continuation of the traditions of the great Maestro.
The plant’s products are delivered to 4 continents in more than 20 countries.
Manufacturing features
The main secret of the success of Georgian brandy lies in the grapes, which have high acidity and low sugar content.
Varieties for the production of drinks were selected by David Sarajishvili.
The list of the most suitable includes: Tsitska, Tsolikauri, Goruli Mtsvane, Chinuri, Rkatsiteli.
After harvesting ripe selected fruits at the factory, they proceed directly to the production of brandy.
The process includes the stages traditional for cognac technology:
Making white wine
Moderately sour, not too sweet, with neutral fruit tones.
double distillation
In French devices of the Charente type, which results in the highest quality alcohol.
Exposure
Alcohols are stored for at least 3 years in 350-400-liter barrels, absorbing some substances from the oak bark and evaporating others.
During the ripening process, about 3% of the product is lost (“the share of angels”).
Comment from a site user: “In Soviet times, the main cognac production was not aging in barrels, but forcing under pressure through oak sawdust.” How Sarajishvili is made today remains a mystery.
Blending
To create a high-quality, homogeneous brandy, you need a large collection of spirits, which Sarajishvili House is proud of. The rest is up to the master blender.
Assimilation
The post-bath rest harmonizes the blend and makes it unique.
For this purpose, the Sarajishvili plant uses oak buta (barrels of large capacity), in which the brandy spends from 4 to 12 months.
Types of cognac Sarajishvili
The Georgian brandy collection consists of 3 lines: Classic, Luxury and Vintage. The main series includes:
3 stars
Brandy is produced according to the old recipe of David Sarajishvili from 3-year-old spirits.
The drink has a golden color, a spicy fruity-floral aroma and a pleasant refreshing taste.
5 stars
Another product made according to the recipe of the founder. The balanced drink is based on 5-year-old distillates.
Brandy color: dark honey. Aroma: light oak.
Taste: intense, with notes of roasted almonds and grapes.
VS – a blend of distillates, the oldest of which is 10 years old.
Bouquet: balanced, with accents of dried fruits, honey and wildflowers.
Hue: amber. Taste: soft, enveloping, velvety.
VSOP – a blend of distillates, the oldest of which is 12 years old
Main notes: black plum, dried fruits, cinnamon, vanilla. Color: dark amber.
ХО
A blend of spirits of different ages, among which there are distillates of 30 years of age.
Color: dark gold. Bouquet: rich, with vanilla-chocolate hues. Taste: light, soft, velvety.
Extra. Special Reserve
A soft enveloping drink made from selected grape varieties, which has undergone a long aging, combining the richness of aroma and harmony of taste.
Main notes: vanilla, chocolate, fruits.
Drinking Georgian brandy is recommended as an aperitif or digestif, at room temperature, warming the glass in your hand and savoring the drink in small sips.
Interesting Facts
The collection of the Tbilisi distillery includes about 500 decaliters of spirits and blends, which mature in 16 oak barrels.
The distillate smoked under the direction of David Sarajishvili in 1893 is still stored in the cellars of the enterprise.
In above-ground storages with special conditions, vintage spirits of 1905, 1915, 1918, 1925, 1932, 1941 and later are “aged”.
David Sarajishvili became famous not only as a successful entrepreneur, but also as a generous philanthropist.
After his death, a significant portion of the estate according to the will was spent on charity.
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Relevance: 22.09.2019
Tags: Brandy and Cognac, Brandy Brands