December is the time of year filled with opportunities to raise a glass, not exclusive to the occasions of Christmas and New Year. But, amidst the countless business dinners and large family gatherings, the question we have is: is there anything else to know about this celebratory ritual?
Written evidence traces the roots of this oh-so-familiar tradition back to the Roman Era, where the act of toasting itself looked very different from how we know it today. Guests would exchange cups affirming mutual trust, and by doing that, suggest the wine was not poisoned.
Fortunately, the concern of being served poisoned beverages has lost relevance nowadays, but toasting has picked up several simple rules that demonstrate good manners.
As per the etiquette
Toasting does not necessarily mean making noise, as much as it is performed in honor of testifying a joyful moment. We would like to take this opportunity to advise against certain practices, which in return will show signs of attention to your guests.
“The true hero of the perfect toast is a recognized quality sparkling wine. In fact, toasting with an anonymous wine can make the experience forgettable”.
First of all, let’s avoid clinking the cutlery on the glasses and hitting them against one another when saying “cheers.” Additionally, the bottle is never uncorked with a blast: the New Years’ celebration can be an exception as the sound is believed to ward off negative energy and act as a wish for a prosperous year ahead.
Finally, one should always look into another person’s eyes to make this shared moment even more sincere.
The speech
The first person to stand up, raise a glass, and speak is usually the birthday boy/girl, the host, or the master of the house. The speech should be short, talk about those sitting at the table, and not focus on the speaker.
Choice of wine
The true hero of the perfect toast is a recognized quality sparkling wine. In fact, toasting with an anonymous wine can make the experience forgettable, and that is not what you would want, is it?
Here at Tenuta Polvaro, we hold many acclaimed sparkling wines, these include Tenuta Polvaro Prosecco D.O.C. Brut, Tenuta Polvaro Prosecco D.O.C. Rosé Extra Dry and Tenuta Polvaro Prosecco D.O.C. Extra Dry to name a few among our classical selection.
Choice of wine glass
Last but not least, let’s not underestimate the importance of choosing the right glass for the toast. The flute may undoubtedly be the most straightforward choice; however, we believe that the classic cup will present a much more suitable shape for tasting a sparkling wine. Today, it is most commonly used to serve sweet sparkling wines due to its ability to disperse the bubbles and raise the aroma above its surface. On the other hand, the tulip-shaped glass with a wide belly and a narrow opening lets the scent open up at the base and float upwards without escaping the vessel.
And now, all you have to do is to prepare a speech, select the right sparkling wine with matching glass, and toast. Cheers!
