St. Martin's Day, the 11th of November, is very important for the wine producers. It is connected with the traditional custom known for a long time. It is called «the baptism of wine».
Why is St. Martin connected with this custom, no one really knows. Maybe it is just because the 11th of November, the day of St. Martin's death, is the time when some process in production of wine is over and it becomes ready for drinking, maybe because the production of wine is connected with the Benedictine monks, and wherever they appeared, they started growing grapes and producing wine.
Historical dates say that he was born in the Panonnian Plane, somewhere in today's Hungary in 316 AD. St. Martin was known for his act of sharing his red cape with an old poor man, he was a friend of poor peasant. When he became a bishop, he didn't live in cities like many other bishops; he devoted his life to villages and their inhabitants who nobody took care of. He became the patron of knights, soldiers, wine producers and France, so perhaps all these facts contributed to the legend and developed the custom, which is very much alive in my country. This is what it looks like in my home.
People who took part in grape gathering come again to our house on that day. Nobody wants to miss that event. Mother and I work all day long preparing dinner for this celebration. The tambura bend comes every year to accomplish the cheerful atmosphere. Our guests start gathering about 8 o'clock in the evening. When everybody comes, my father puts on specially prepared clothes. She is dressed like a bishop, St. Martin, and he approaches to new wine talking to it as the priest talks to a child. Even the godfather is found among our friends. The ritual reminds of baptizing of a child, so people call it «baptism of new wine». Through fun and jokes they play the roles. The rhymes and songs they say refer to joy and merry atmosphere which wine creates. It is believed that from that time on, the new wine is turned into wine and becomes ready for drinking. This humorous ceremony anticipates good mood and entertainment.
This event is followed by music, singing and dancing, having good time during and after dinner, people taste wine tell toasts, and celebration last till morning.

Ana Milić - 3K