Metaxa (Greek Μεταξά) is a Greek istilled spirit invented by Spyros Metaxas in 1888. It is a blend of brandy and wine made from sun-dried Savatiano, Soultanina and Black Corinthian grape varieties. It is then blended with an aged Muscat wine from Samos and Lemnos. The distillates are aged in hand-made French Limousin oak casks for a minimum period of three years before being flavoured with a secret herbal mixture, that includes rose leaves, and distilled water. This mixture is allowed to "marry" for at least six months, then chilled at -6°C for 48 hours, filtered, before being bottled.