Shabbat begins with words spoken over wine, fulfilling the verse "Remember the Sabbath day." We call it Kiddush, a ritual of words and drink, a bridge between worldly days and the day of rest. It marks the beginning of Shabbat's evening and midday meals.
The evening Kiddush consists of three parts: 1) Verses from the beginning of the Torah relating how God sanctified the seventh day and rested. 2) The blessing over the wine. 3) A blessing thanking God for giving us Shabbat.
The Kiddush of the day consists of several verses from Exodus, followed by the blessing over the wine.
On Friday night, the Shalom Aleichem is also sung to welcome the angels, along with an ode to the woman of valor.
The Kiddush cup is washed, filled to the brim, raised with the right hand (or left if left-handed), and the Kiddush is recited aloud. On Friday night, the Shabbat candles are also observed at the beginning.
Those who listen respond "Amen" to each blessing. They drink at least 86 ml from the cup. There is a custom of sharing the Kiddush wine with those who heard it.