A very special Serbian wine was just one of many delightful discoveries on our recent inspection trip to the region.
For more than 300 years, Sremski Karlovci locals have produced Bermet, an extraordinary and fragrant beverage which is made from a secret recipe using herbs, dried fruit, flowers and wine of the previous year.
Initially intended as a medicinal potion, it eventually came to the attention of European noblemen and courtiers, and won the admiration of Habsburg Empress Maria Theresa. According to legend, the Empress was so taken with this wine that she relieved the citizens of this small village from military duty in order to be free to make the prized bermet.
Cases of Bermet were aboard the ill-fated Titanic, meant to be enjoyed by the passengers as a memorable treat, both an aperitif and a dessert wine, during the maiden cruise. Bottles of Bermet were brought up to the surface from the wreck, during a recovery exploration, 73 years after the Titanic sank.
