The term is of Arabic origin and means "handshake". This refers to the ancient custom of concluding a contract with a handshake and a drink. According to another version, the origin was the Low German term for "scoop", which was borrowed into French as chopine and then borrowed back again. In German-speaking countries, Schoppen is an old liquid measure with locally varying volumes. It is known as 0.564 litres for the Palatinate, 0.459 litres for Württemberg, 0.375 litres for Baden and Switzerland, and 0.476 litres for the French chopine.
1 = Ribbed, 2 = Dubbeglas, 3 = Mainzer Stange
![]()
The glossary is a monumental achievement and one of the most important contributions to wine knowledge. Of all the encyclopaedias I use on the subject of wine, it is by far the most important. That was the case ten years ago and it hasn't changed since.
Andreas Essl
Autor, Modena