Jim's Loire: #EWBC: Georgia – land of a 1000 toasts

Luarsab: our first and perhaps most impressive 'toaster'@Azarpesha, Tbilisi #EWBC12

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If there was one thing during our all too short trip to Georgia that made a big impression it was the Georgians fondness for toasting. Something they have raised to an art form.

During our three days in Georgia we raised our glasses to a toast on numerous occasions at lunch and dinner. Did we raise them 80 or 90 times or perhaps we broke into three figures. I wasn't counting but the toasting was frequent. Often given by the designated toastmaster (tamada). It could, of course, be the toastmistress but all of those leading the toasts during our stay were men. I suspect that this is usually the case. There were also the toasts we made in reply, with as many women from our group as men responding.

There are common themes to many of the toasts – God and religion, friendship, family, love, women, peace and wine. At times there is an expectation that the glass is emptied in one and always by the tamada. See entry on wikipedia.

The tamada@Tsinandali Palace #EWBC12

The tamada with Gabriella Opaz #EWBC12

'Duel' toasting – the tamada with Luiz Alberto

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What makes a good toastmaster?

Ability to make moving and convincing speeches, often to strangers.

Ability to empty numerous glasses of wine (or Cha-Cha – Georgian grappa) in one over a number of hours.

Ability to hold your drink better than your audience - very important that the toastmaster is the last person standing.

Some slight slurring of words is acceptable, especially towards the end of a long session but it is essential that the toastmaster remains comprehensible.

It is not known what percentage of Georgia's annual wine production – 15.8 million bottles (2010) is consumed through toasting but it must be a significant proportion.