Toasts use only four of the five senses. We see the color of the wine, touch the glass in our hand, smell the wine in the glass and taste the texture on our palate. The clinking satisfies the fifth sense of hearing — the tone of the glass, the physical connection of the toast.
Dining outdoors satisfies our animal instincts. Even my grandchildren request outdoor dining and are able to stay at a table longer, which usually means eating everything on their plates. The conversation is richer, the subtle breeze a digestive. Connected to our surroundings, all five senses come alive.
Source: Wine Words: The magic of eating outdoors | Opinion | sonomawest.com
