The Bertrand family
Wine culture around the world: traditions and customs from elsewhere
Drinking from a bridal shoe, taking part in a wine battle, sabring a Porto… What if we told you these things really exist? On closer inspection, the four corners of the globe are full of rather unusual wine traditions and customs.
That was all we needed to hear. Let's go!
Spain – Batalla del Vino
Every year on 29 June, it is the feast of Saint Peter in Spain. On this special day, Haro (a small town in the Rioja region) hosts a mysterious event: the "Batalla del Vino de Haro". The idea? Thousands of people dressed in white with a red scarf climb a mountain to reach a hermitage. At the end of the journey, just after Mass, it is time for the wine battle! Plastic pistols, bottles, buckets… anything goes.
Ukraine – The bride's shoe
A traditional wedding in Ukraine goes like this: to prevent her shoe from being stolen, the bride must keep her feet on the ground throughout the reception. If a guest manages to take one, all the other guests must pass the shoe from hand to hand to drink wine from it. Cinderella, festive edition.
Georgia – The Supra
In Georgia, the Supra is a banquet where guests make many toasts. The tamada, the central figure of the meal (often the eldest), tells stories and proposes toasts. Whenever he wishes, as many as he likes — in short, he has free rein. When the tamada speaks, everyone falls silent. And when he drinks, everyone raises their glass and drinks it in one go. This tradition can last for hours, to the point where up to 10 litres of wine per guest can be consumed!
France – Le Chabrot
In the South-West of France, "faire Chabrot" is part of everyday language. It is a peasant custom that has evolved into an epicurean gesture. The idea: just before finishing one's bowl of soup, a little wine is added and then the whole lot is drunk in one go. That way, not a drop is wasted!
Portugal – The sabrage of Porto
In France, they sabre champagne. In Portugal, it is Porto. Widely practised with old bottles, the sabrage technique is part of local customs and traditions, simply because it avoids crumbling the cork already weakened by time. A heated clamp is placed around the neck, which is then removed and covered with an icy cloth to create a thermal shock. The result: the cut is clean and precise, and the Porto is ready to be enjoyed without any debris!
Our other blog articles to become an expert :
How to taste a wine: the steps to follow
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