The Next Big Thing -- Georgian Wine!
I recently learned that many wine industry insiders are counting on wine from Georgia to be the next big thing in wine consumption. Perhaps bigger than Yellowtail.
In Georgia it is frowned upon to drink wine alone. When two or more Georgians get together to enjoy wine, one of them will be designated "Tamada”. Tamada is similar to what westerners refer to as “master of ceremonies”. A Tamada sets the tone of the feast. He selects the wine and blesses the host wishing him many fruitful harvests. He then welcomes all that are gathered to fill their khantsis (a vessel made out of a mountain ram's horn) and leads in the following 7 toasts :
The first toast is to peace. After the Tamada drinks his wine each participant stands up and toasts to peace as well.
With the second toast, the Tamada blesses the hostess thanking her for the warm welcome and compliments her on her efforts. Again, all stand and say a toast in her honor. After this toast is said, the hostess must pick up her khantsi and say a toast of thanks to all that have come.
The third toast goes to the country, wishing prosperity, a bright future and the defeat of all enemies. All then stand and toast to the country. At this time, participants will strike up a song of praise to their country.
For the fourth, a toast is said in honor of all the mothers.
Next, the Tamada offers a toast to all that have passed away and have earned the right to be remembered. At this point, the hostess brings a dish with bread and salt. This toast is the only one where the Tamada leaves some wine in the khantsi in honor of their memory. The Tamada then pour this wine onto the bread.
Immediately after this, he leads everyone in a toast to life, which is the sixth toast.
The seventh toast is dedicated to love and it’s importance in our everyday lives.
My thanks to Jim Parker and his fabulously informative site: www.ndoba.com
return to: Joe Dressner The Wine Importer
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