Happy New Year

Each civilization celebrates, in its own way, the promise of a new year. Ancient Celts, Picts and Norse were more inclined to celebrate the winter solstice instead of the calendar date. The Chinese New Year, also known as the Spring Festival, is celebrated at the turn of their lunisolar calendar, falling between 21 January and 20 February. A time of family reunion and house cleaning, they post couplets to good fortune on door panels, set off firecrackers to scare away evil spirits, and exchange money in red envelopes to ensure good fortune in the coming year.

Early astrologers of Mesopotamia are believed to be the first to calculate and begin the calendar celebration of the New Year. Under the Roman Julian calendar, the first day (and month) of the year paid tribute to Janus, who protected gateways and new beginnings. Janus had two faces, one looking back to the old year and the other forward to the new. Today we recognize Janus in the figure of Father Time—who exits on New Year’s Eve, handing off his responsibilities to the New Year’s baby.

Since their early beginnings, Christians celebrate January 1 as a feast day within the Twelve Days of Christmas, that culminates with the Feast of the Three Wise Kings. Despite a custom of giving and receiving gifts, from the Middle Ages to the 18th century these festivities were more religious than secular. European court life, however, put greater emphasis on revelry and wine—much as we do today. (Twelfth Night or As You Like It by Shakespeare, was penned and first performed during this time for the Tudor Court of Elizabeth I). Their custom of wining and dining on New Year’s became commonplace from the onset of the 19th century through the Belle Époque, with each year striving to outdo the last—and consumption of sparkling wines becoming traditional.

A most wonderful way to celebrate the New Year, from a wine point of view, is to book a berth on the Napa Valley Wine Train. From caviar and sparkling wine, to multi-course dinning, to special access to the after-train party, you may customize a package that is a must for oenophiles (or folk who simply like to party).

I have lifted a glass to salute the residents of Prince Edward County, and marvel at the selection of sumptuous wine created by our talented winemakers.

A prosperous and Happy New Year.