In ancient Greece, a dinner host would take the first sip of wine to assure guests the wine was not poisoned, hence the phrase 'drinking to one's health.'

And 'toasting' specifically started in ancient Rome when the Romans continued the Greek tradition but localized it by dropping a piece of toasted bread into each wine glass to temper undesirable tastes or excessive acidity.

Here's some toasting etiquette for the modern world.

Keep these tips in mind and you'll soon become a toastmaster!

1. Unless you're having a small gathering, it is always better to stand up for the toast
2. At a gathering none should offer to toast the guest of honor until the host has done so
3. Guests may signal their approval of a toast with "hear hear"
4. The person who is being honored should neither stand nor drink
5. Only after the toast is complete should he/she rise to thank everyone
6. Putting one's drink down midway implies that you don't agree with the toast
7. The same goes if you choose not to sip after the toast is complete 

www.sommelierindia.com