Happy New Year!
Sekt on New Year's Eve: how much to pour, toasting, and food for the turn of the year
For the midnight toast, a 0.75-liter bottle of Sekt is enough for six to seven guests; for the whole evening, plan on more. A dry Brut suits raclette, fondue, and finger food, while an Extra Dry or Demi-Sec pairs better with Berliner doughnuts and other New Year's pastries.
Why do people drink Sekt on New Year's Eve?
Sparkling wine has been linked to celebrations for centuries, first at Europe's royal courts and later in middle-class homes. The pop of the cork, the rising bubbles, and the moment of pouring all signal a fresh start. That's especially clear on New Year's Eve. At midnight, glasses clink in countless households almost simultaneously.
In Germany, this shows up clearly in sales figures. According to industry data, December—with Christmas and New Year's Eve—is the most important month of the year for Sekt producers. Per the Verband Deutscher Sektkellereien (German Sekt Producers' Association), makers sold around 203 million bottles of German-produced Sekt between January and November 2025. December, with the turn of the year, has yet to be added to that total.
How much Sekt do you need for New Year's Eve?
For the midnight toast, plan on one glass per person. At 0.1 liters (about 3.4 fl oz) per glass, a standard bottle serves six to seven guests, while a 1.5-liter Magnum serves twelve to fourteen. A party of twenty guests will need three to four bottles just for the countdown. Pouring smaller measures stretches it further; pouring generously means you'll want an extra bottle chilling in reserve.
If sparkling wine flows all evening, the total quantity goes up. How much depends on your guests, the food, and the length of the party—there's no fixed rule. A sensible plan is one glass for the welcome, one or two with dinner, and one at midnight, plus a chilled reserve on hand. Just as important are water and non-alcoholic drinks, including alcohol-free Sekt. That way everyone can raise a glass without feeling pressured to drink, and everyone gets home safely.
The midnight toast: customs and legends
At the stroke of midnight, people raise a glass, wish each other a happy new year, and call out "Prosit Neujahr." Prosit is Latin and roughly means "may it do you good." In Germany, it's considered polite to make eye contact while toasting. In a large group, simply raise your glass rather than reaching across the table. When popping a cork in a crowd, always point the neck of the bottle away from people.
The origin of clinking glasses itself remains unclear. A popular story claims that people once clinked forcefully so that wine would splash from one cup into another, making it impossible to poison just one person. There's no historical evidence for this, and the tale is widely considered a legend. More practical advice: with thin-walled glasses, clink at the bowl, not the delicate rim.
What to eat with Sekt on New Year's Eve: raclette, fondue, and Berliner doughnuts
In many German households, raclette or fondue takes center stage on New Year's Eve. Both pair beautifully with sparkling wine. Melted cheese, potatoes, and bacon bring fat and salt, which a dry Brut's acidity nicely balances. A Sekt made from Riesling or Silvaner, or a Crémant d'Alsace, makes a fitting partner. For fondue with meat cooked in hot oil, the same rule applies as with any fried food. If the meat is cooked in broth instead, a light Brut works well, and the sauces will determine the finer points of the pairing. Very sweet or spicy dips call once again for an Extra Dry.
Later in the evening, Berliner or Krapfen often make their way to the table—doughnuts made from yeast dough, deep-fried and filled with jam. Here fat and sugar come together. A Brut tastes sour next to them, while an Extra Dry or Demi-Sec feels rounder. On New Year's Day, some families serve a herring salad. A crisp Brut pairs well with it again, its acidity balancing the sour, salty fish.