Open That Bottle Night

This past Saturday was Open That Bottle Night. This unique event was started ten years ago by Wall Street Journal wine writers Dorothy J. Gaiter and John Brecher. The catalyst for the idea was the large number of letters they received from readers asking when they should drink that one special bottle of wine they had been holding on to for years. The event occurs on the last Saturday of February and has gained quite a following.

No matter what the size of our wine collection, most of us have a few bottles that we are holding on to for just the right occasion. But what is that occasion and what if it comes after the bottle has reached its peak and maybe even after it’s no longer even drinkable? The experience of opening up a bottle of wine that you’ve held on to for a special occasion, only to find it has gone south, is not one that you wish to repeat often.

That’s the point of Open That Bottle Night. It’s a great excuse to pull out that wine you’ve been saving before it’s over the hill. You can make it a special occasion with friends or even just an opportunity to open up a bottle with your special someone at home over a simple meal.

In celebration of Open That Bottle Night, my husband and I opened a special “family” bottling of 2003 Carneros Merlot that was given to us as a gift. Since this particular wine is not available for sale to the public, we considered it a bottle for a special occasion and have been holding on to it for several years. It was just the two of us at home and we opened it with dinner. Although no sparks flew as we tasted that first sip, it was a great bottle of wine and we were happy with the idea of opening this special bottle on an ordinary evening at home to enjoy between the two of us.

Although Open That Bottle Night has now passed, there is no reason you can’t make any night the perfect night to open a bottle of wine that is collecting dust in your cellar, closet or wine rack. Don’t let those wines collect dust and age beyond drinkability while you are waiting for that special night, celebration or other occasion to drink them. Wine is made to be enjoyed so enjoy your special bottles!

Written by Linzi