OTBN Open That Bottle Night – Feb 27, 2010

View at Picasa 08-Dec-2009 08:02, 3.2, 5.9mm, 0.1 sec, ISO 800

Are you a hoarder! Do you have a bottle of wine that you’ve been saving? Mark your calendar for Saturday February 27, 2010.

View at Picasa 11-Sep-2009 09:33, 3.2, 5.9mm, 0.05 sec, ISO 800

It is Open That Bottle Night (OTBN) 2010. OTBN is an annual event created by wine writers Dorothy Gaiter and John Brecher (wine@wsj.com) to encourage us to open those bottles we thought we’d never open.

View at Picasa 25-Aug-2009 10:01, 3.2, 5.9mm, 0.067 sec, ISO 400

Every year since 2000, on Saturday night in late February, OTBN encourages us to open a bottle of wine, champagne or spirits that we’ve been saving for some special event that, so far, has never quite happened. The premise is for everyone to pick one of the bottles that they have been saving for a special occasion – which never comes – and open it before it goes bad…It doesn’t matter if the wine is expensive or low cost, white or red, or even if it is still good. What matters are the memories!

Don’t wait to drink that special wine.

Gather some friends to share some wine and some stories.

View at Picasa 12-Feb-2010 10:01, 3.2, 5.9mm, 0.05 sec, ISO 500

We recently opened a Cakebread Cellars 2006 Napa Valley Chardonnay and enjoyed the light golden straw color and aromas of green apples, apricots,  with a smooth buttery, creamy finish that included a subtle hint of vanilla oak. Refreshing and classic California Chardonnay.

We also unearthed a Cameron 1994 Willamette Valley Pinot Noir to relish the smoky, earthy, ripe blackberries and smooth finish. Just like a beautiful fall afternoon in Oregon.

Any night can be the right night to open “that” bottle of wine!

Don’t wait to drink that special wine.

In previous posts I shared that I’m a saver. ‘Cuz you just never know when you might need one earring to be a pirate at a costume party or might have an inspiring use for a broken china plate.  In addition to saving odds and ends, I have tucked away several bottles of wine. These wines are waiting for a special occasion.  The wines remind me of glorious days touring Napa, a visit to an Italian winery on bottling day (I applied the label myself), or friends and birthdays long gone.

Do you have a bottle of wine that you’ve been saving for a special occasion?

This Saturday night is the occasion. It is Open That Bottle Night (OTBN) 2009. OTBN is an annual event created by wine writers Dorothy Gaiter and John Brecher (wine@wsj.com) to help us all open those bottles we thought we’d never open.

Every year since 2000, on a special Saturday night in February, friends gather to open and enjoy particular bottles of wine, champagne and spirits. The bottle that you enjoy, traditionally, is one that you have been saving for some special event that, so far, has never quite happened.  It doesn’t matter if the wine is expensive, white or red, or even if it is still good. What matters are the memories.  Memories of why you saved the bottle and the new memories of opening the bottle to share on this special night.

So gather some friends this Saturday night to share some wine and some stories.

Share your OTBN experiences online:

Visit http://www.openthatbottlenight.com/ or twitter #OTBN

Additionally, you can sign-up to attend a virtual tasting. Twitter Taste Live, the premier forum for real-time wine tasting via the Web, has partnered with wine importer Wilson Daniels Ltd. to host an online wine tasting on the 10th anniversary of Open That Bottle Night on Saturday, February 28, 2009, at 8 p.m. EST. Those interested in participating are encouraged to visit www.twittertastelive.com to RSVP for the interactive wine tasting event.

May the wine deities be with you and your fellow sippers.