Drinking like a Scythian

Drinking Customs, Early History

Drinking like a Scythian Spirits of the Steppe: Scythian Drinking Culture In the vast tapestry of the Eurasian steppe, the Scythians emerge as a nomadic mosaic, a confluence of tribes tracing their origins to modern-day Iran. Between 900 and 200 BCE, they roamed...

Haro Wine Festival

Drinking Customs

Haro Wine Festival The Batalla de Vino in Haro, Spain, a Festival Where Rioja Red Wine Becomes a Symbolic Weapon Held annually on June 29th, Saint Peter’s Day, amidst the picturesque landscape of the Rioja wine region, Batalla de Vino stands as one of Spain’s...

May Wine & May Festivals

Drinking Customs

May Wine & May Festivals The Romans celebrated the spring-flower Floralies festival in the beginning of May. Since the Middle Ages on May 1st festivals were held to welcome spring throughout Europe. For centuries, the night from April 30th to May 1st was...

The Salamander Ritual

Drinking Customs

The Salamander Ritual “The salamander” is a drinking ritual that includes the knocking (and rubbing) of glasses on the table before or after drinking together, sometimes both. It is a widespread “Zutrinken” ritual among student associations,...

Schmollis & Fiducit

Drinking Customs

Schmollis & Fiducit In student associations, the term “Schmollis” (also: Smollis, Schmolles) is used since before 1795 to initiate a drinking ritual called “Brüderschaft”, meaning “brotherhood drinking”. Schmollis is confirmed...