A gesture as old as wine
There is a moment that repeats itself at every celebration, at every table, in every corner of the world: someone raises a glass, eyes meet, and everything else stops for an instant.
The toast is one of those gestures so natural it seems to have always existed. Yet it has a history — and like all true stories, it has more than one version.
Where does the word "toast" come from?
The etymology is already a story. The word toast derives from the Old German "bring dir's" — literally "I offer it to you". A gesture of giving even before celebrating: I offer you what I have in my glass, and with it I offer you a wish.
The expression entered Italian usage through the German soldiers accompanying Charles V, who travelled the peninsula in the 16th century, bringing this convivial habit with them. The words transformed, the pronunciation became Italianised, and "bring dir's" became brindisi — one of the few words in our language that still bears the imprint of its foreign origin in its sound.
The three parts of a toast
A toast, in its most complete form, is a small ritual in three acts.
The first act is verbal: someone — usually the host, who stands up to speak — states the reason for the toast. It can be as simple as a "thank you," as elaborate as a speech, enriched with an anecdote or a dedication. The important thing is that there is an intention: a toast is never random.
The second act is gestural: those present raise their glasses, bring them towards others, and clink them with anyone within reach. The movement towards others is always there — a toast is by definition a collective act.
The third act is confirmation: everyone drinks. A small sip or a long gulp, depending on the culture and the occasion. It is the seal that transforms words into a shared gesture.
Why do we clink glasses? Two legends compared
The Greek legend: poison and trust
The oldest — and most dramatic — version dates back to ancient Greece in the 6th century BC. In an era of conquests and betrayals, poisoning a guest during a banquet was one of the most effective methods to eliminate an enemy.
For this reason, it is said, the host would clink his glass against those of his guests with enough force to splash the liquid and mix the contents between the glasses. A gesture that said: "I drink the same thing you drink. I have nothing to hide."
The clinking of glasses therefore originated as an act of trust. A silent declaration: we are safe, together.
The legend of Charles V: victory shouted in German
The other version takes us to the 16th century. After the conquest of Rome by the troops of Charles V, the soldiers of the imperial army celebrated their victory by raising their glasses and shouting "bring dir's!" — "I offer it to you!" — in homage to their sovereign.
It was at that moment, according to this tradition, that the gesture of toasting spread throughout Italy — brought by soldiers who spoke German but celebrated in a land that would adopt their word.
The unwritten rules of toasting
Like any ritual, toasting has its rules. Some vary from culture to culture; others seem universal.
- Do not toast with an empty glass — it signifies displeasure, or worse, bad luck
- Do not toast with water — in many traditions, it is considered an affront to the person being honoured
- Usually toast with the right hand — but some prefer the left, the hand of the heart
- Look into each other's eyes — in many cultures, averting your gaze during a toast brings bad luck
Simple rules, full of meaning. Because a toast is never just a gesture: it is a promise made aloud, for all to hear.
Toasting and wine: a deep connection
It is no coincidence that toasting originated around wine. Wine has always been a symbol of conviviality, trust, and celebration. It is the drink that is shared — offered, received, and unites.
Every bottle we open at Colline del Vento is born with this awareness. A wine doesn't truly exist until someone pours it, raises their glass, and looks into the eyes of the person in front of them.
That's why, when we uncork a Vermentino or a Zankitai in Villasimius, we are not just opening a bottle. We are preparing for the next toast.
To life. To the land. To you.
Salude e trigu — Colline del Vento
