We all have our own rituals and traditions when it comes to enjoying a glass of wine. Perhaps the simplest and most universal is the toast – clinking our glasses together and saying “cheers” to one another before we sit down to enjoy a drink with a meal and each other’s company. Today, we’re taking a look at the many other weird and wonderful wine traditions which are celebrated and enjoyed around the world.

A Wedding Toast In Nigeria

Another tradition for newlyweds, it is customary for a Nigerian bride to offer her spouse a cup of palm wine in a ceremony called Igbankwu, or wine carrying. The bride’s father pours the cup of wine and gives it to his daughter, who must seek out her spouse amongst the wedding guests (who playfully distract her). Only after she has presented the cup, is the couple considered married.

A Wedding Toast from Ukraine

A toast of an entirely different sort may be observed by wedding guests in Ukraine if the Bride doesn’t keep her wits about her. Any guest who manages to steal one of the bride’s shoes is allowed to boss around the other guests (all in good fun of course), and even tell them to drink a toast out of the shoe! Let’s just hope the bride doesn’t want her heels back after all that…

“Wine on the Rocks” in Japan

Now for a tradition that would make any wine connoisseur shake their head in disbelief. In Japan, ‘wine on the rocks’ is becoming quite the trend. Preferred for its fresher and simpler taste, this unusual combination was revealed in a 2015 report by USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service which noted:

‘“Wine on the Rocks” is becoming an increasingly popular trend among consumers in Japan. Suntory Holdings Limited is one of the major Japanese Brewing companies that is pushing this new trend as “the new way to drink wine”, with instructions on how to make the cold wine beverage posted on its website. Denny’s Japan has also followed suit as it is currently offering both red and white wine on the rocks on their drink menus across Japan.’