Perhaps not everyone knows that the Italian term “brindisi”, which in English means “toast”, is of German origin and comes from the expression “ich bring dir’s”. It means “I offer it to you”, in homage to the dignity of the guest and as a promise of non-belligerence: a celebration of the peaceful condition of friendship, gratitude, respect…

An ancient tradition.

Wine, similar to olive oil and bread, has been one of the symbols of Mediterranean culture from time immemorial. Our faith in the ability of wine to lift the spirits beyond their natural limits is particularly developed in the Greek and Roman mythology of Dionysus and Bacchus.

Raising your glass to ingratiate yourself with divinity in some way is of great symbolic value; it doesn’t only mean asking for indulgence, but at a deeper level, it favours communication between the human world and the divine world. It is no coincidence that wine in the Judeo-Christian tradition is considered a gift from God and, from a Eucharistic point of view, represents the blood of the Redeemer.

But the role of the “nectar of the gods” has always been central in secular or, more simply, convivial rituals too. Herodotus, for example, tells us how important was the presence of wine at the dinners of ancient Egypt, as does Plato at the Athenian symposia and Pliny the Elder at the Roman banquets. And its presence is evidenced in writings and paintings dating from the Middle Ages, and from the Renaissance up to the present day.

The toast with a bang!

Until about 1600, bubbles as we know them today, did not exist. Their “discovery”, or “invention”, seems to be due, by chance, to the legendary Pierre Pérignon, a Benedictine monk who lived in the Champagne area in 17th century France. What is certain is that still Champagne became sparkling.

The charm of the bubbles rising, the particular colour, the yeasty aromas, the tactile perception of the effervescence on the palate would make Champagne the most popular wine at all the courts of Europe, in the elegant residences… and the official partner of all important anniversaries and holidays.

The spectacular gesture of “popping the cork with a bang” only added to the charm. And it was a way of no return, for since then the bubbles have become the undisputed queens of any self-respecting toast.

The brilliant exploit of Prosecco!

Prosecco is the undisputed sovereign of the Charmat Method, in which the sparkling process takes place in an autoclave instead of in the bottle. In recent years, Prosecco has become the best-selling sparkling wine in the world; an incredible achievement that would have been unimaginable a couple of decades ago.

Even if the excellent quality-to-price ratio has played an important role, in our opinion, it is the characteristics of the wine that have tipped the balance in this triumph.

If we had to choose only one characteristic, we would have no doubts – its lightness. Prosecco is not an austere, meditative, cerebral wine. It is always straightforward, fresh and cheerful. If Champagne requires the wearing of a tie, the excellence of the Prosecco world, Conegliano Valdobbiadene DOCG, can also do without it.

It is a wine that keeps up and adapts to any situation. It does not fear important anniversaries but, on the contrary, knows how to indulge them with great authority. At the same time, it is easy-going, and the ideal companion for an impromptu drink with friends.

Its remarkable ability to adapt, innate “democratic nature”, always maintaining the same qualitative profile, has made it the ideal wine for all celebratory occasions, all around the world!

Speaking of which. Even if popping the cork “with a bang” is really spectacular, you should know that the wine suffers. The sudden release of internal pressure impairs the persistence of the bubbles and alters the aroma of the wine… Cheers!