Visiting Abkhazia, many tourists are interested in what kind of alcoholic drinks are worthy of attention here. In addition to wines and traditional Georgian chacha, in Abkhazia you can buy Old Gagra cognac. This is a classic of the genre. Low-budget and truly folk drink, about which there are real legends. What kind of drink is this? Who makes it? What is included in its composition? And how do connoisseurs of food respond about it?
A few words about the drink
Cognac “Old Gagra” is a well-known alcoholic beverage, the popularity of which has long gone beyond the borders of native Abkhazia. He is respected for his respectable age and low price. The drink is sold in small glass bottles with a long thin neck, with a capacity of 0.5 l.
The brandy container is transparent and contains a very simple single-sided label in all respects. The cork on the product is not too complicated and expensive. It is made of a kind of synthetic material. However, on top of the lid you can see sealing wax, apparently filled by hand.
What they say about the skill of winemakers
Despite its apparent visual simplicity, Old Gagra cognac is produced by specialists who have undergone a training course with famous winemakers from France. In the manufacture of this drink, modern technologies, European experience are used and ancient Abkhazian recipes are used. They say that the drink is created in compliance with the traditions of the local population. The secrets of the preparation of this brandy passed down from generation to generation.
Features of the beverage
In the process of making cognac “Old Gagra” several types of cognac alcohol of three-year or four-year aging are used. Alcohol itself is obtained from grape wine supplied to the cognac factory from private vineyards on order.
According to the cognac preparation technology, spirits obtained from wine are placed in oak barrels. It is in them that the alcohols remain “ripening” for about 3-4 years. After this period, the barrels are opened. Alcohol is mixed and undergoes a distillation process. After all the necessary stages of production, a 40-degree cognac with a special, specific taste is obtained.
Subtleties of taste, aroma, accents
According to many lovers of alcoholic beverages, the taste of Old Gagra cognac is not a classic cognac. Rather, it is a drink with a rich rainbow of aromas and flavors. So, at the first sip, first of all, there is a taste of ripe cherry pits. In second place is a light and unobtrusive taste of almonds.
The drink itself is easy to drink. It is soft, warms the throat and, if swallowed, does not irritate the larynx.
Everyone who likes the classics will hear a certain sweetness in this drink, unusual for standard cognacs. When poured into a glass, this drink behaves like a classic cognac. It is a little oily. And if the glass is stirred up, it will leave streaming waves on it.
According to fans of this drink, it smells good. From the liquid does not carry vigorous noble cognac pairs. The smell is light and muffled. Alcohol almost does not smell. Here is such an unusual and specific cognac “Old Gagra”. It is difficult to find him in Moscow, but it is quite real. It is sold in specialized liquor stores and some supermarkets.
Cognac "Old Gagra" distillery Arkady Konjaria
This brandy is produced by Amzara LLC. It is made in the distillery of Arkady Konjaria. The production itself is located in the village of Bzypta, Gagra district of the Republic of Abkhazia. Going on a tour of the sights of Abkhazia, you should definitely look into the store and the tasting room of the winery. It is located near the coastal route, closer to the Bzyb road. There, on the left side is a large and bright tent. This is the tasting room. He is a shop.
On the shelves of this store you can see not only “Old Gagra” and other cognacs, but also some interesting wines. There is also a large crush intended for squeezing grape juice. Before buying, cognac and wine can be tasted.
A little information about the history of the distillery
They say that before the start of their mass production, the representatives of the distillery spent a couple of years studying the quality of grapes in nearby villages. Before the start of production, representatives of the distillery visited all villages in person. They tasted grapes and local wine, studied winemaking traditions. According to rumors, the director of the company walked up to 20 km on a daily basis, looking for suitable private vineyards.
Thanks to such a trip, the wineries of the distillery managed to get valuable information and make a kind of map of local vineyards. Later, representatives of the distillery managed to conclude agreements with the owners of private vineyards. Due to such close and fruitful cooperation, various Abkhazian wines and the legendary cognac were born.
Where to get a drink
In Abkhazia, this drink is sold in Gagra and other cities of the republic. According to some tourists who have been there, you can buy cognac even without an excise stamp. They say that it is being done in a neighboring village, located a 10-minute drive from the city.
And since it has virtually no protection, this drink is very easy to fake. Original cognac is most often sold in specialized grocery stores. Meanwhile, a fake drink is often sold in trade pavilions and stalls, found mainly on the territory of tourist routes of the republic.
How to distinguish an original from a fake?
Despite the low level of protection, this cognac can still be distinguished from a fake. According to local residents, the original name of the drink is made in volume letters. It feels to the touch. The fake has the same label as the letters on it, completely smooth.
What is better to drink cognac
Cognac goes well with fruit, sliced in slices or slices of lemon and chocolate. It can be drunk with pieces of ice. It is great for celebrating anniversaries, anniversaries, weddings, and birthday parties.
What people say about the drink
At the moment, you can hear the most diverse reviews about cognac “Old Gagra”. According to some tourists, this is a wonderful drink, which they recommend to try for everyone. Others - enthusiastically speak about its taste, aroma, bouquet and pleasant aftertaste.
Third, the drink, on the contrary, did not like. According to them, it is made on the basis of an unpleasant almond alcohol essence. Someone did not like the vanilla shades and rich taste bouquets of this noble drink. In their opinion, cognac should be made from imported French spirits. This will make it more pleasant, classic and gives the appropriate taste.