As another year comes to an end, we find ourselves celebrating the previous year's accomplishments, forgetting and hopefully forgiving past indiscretions and mistakes, and looking forward to a fresh year, a fresh start. New Year' s Eve is the last of the heavies in holidays. We are all winding down and gearing up for whatever is ahead in the new year. As the clock approaches the inevitable, glasses are raised and cheers and toasts are exchanged between friends and family. Why do we say what we say when raising our glasses with well wishes in our hearts and minds? Where did the toast really come from anyway?

The toasting tradition is said to have begun in the 16th century in England. During the Middle Ages, people were very distrustful of each other and it was not unusual for poisoning to occur. Folks would pour a bit of spirit into each other' s glass almost as mutual tasters . Friends, who perhaps were not as worried about watching their backs, acquired the common cheers, maybe as a result of knowing that at the end of their drink they would still be alive. Some say the clinking of glasses helped keep the evil spirits at bay. The word toast was born from the fact that water at this time was too dangerous to drink. Beer was consumed constantly. Wine could be tainted, so in order to make it taste better a piece of spiced bread (toast) was put in the cup to add flavor as well as absorb some of the acidity. Puts a different spin on that glass of cabernet doesn' t it? Imagine tossing in a piece of toasted Wonder on top of a fine glass of our Belle Glois Pinot Noir.

Different countries have different customs as well. In Italy, the formal toast is Salute, but a nice informal way is to declare CinCin, which comes from peasants in the country who would drink wine from wooden cups. They would declare CinCin to imitate the sound of glass, as it was expensive and not many could afford it. In Germany they say Prost, Spain  is Salud, and in China, it is Gan Bei which is "just bottoms up to us". In the East, it is customary to touch the other person' s glass below the rim to signal respect to anyone older or in better position than you. Some other really great toasts and information can be found at this link. Check it out for one of your future parties.

So, Happy New Year to you from all of us at the Uptown Grill. We wish you a great year, and can' t wait to serve you in 2011. I will leave you with an Irish toast I am particularly fond of. "In the New Year may your right hand always be stretched out in friendship but never in want!"  Happy New Years and Cheers!