Open That Bottle Night!
All you need to know about Open that bottle night.
What’s Open That Bottle Night?
The concept of Open That Bottle Night (OTBN) was initiated by two reporters at The Wall Street Journal back in 2000. Dorothy J. Gaiter and John Brecher wanted to encourage their readers to open a special bottle of wine, then to share their stories and experiences. Twenty-two years after, the event has become a global phenomenon, and is always held annually on the last Saturday in February, not only in the States, but around the world.
The underlying premise of Open That Bottle Night is that wine is more than liquid in a bottle, it’s a cultural phenomenon, even a means to meditate. Opening a special bottle is always connected with special people, life milestones and good times rolling, precious, memorable times to share with loved ones.
Last Saturday of February… crack a fine wine open!
Here’s how to hold your own Open That Bottle Night:
It’s a Saturday, so make sure you invite over some good friends and family. Everyone can contribute a bottle that mean something for them. It can be a dinner or a more relaxed setup. It can be a picnic in the park or a day out. The important thing is to be comfortable, among loved ones.
Then, choose a special wine. A wine you kept for an occasion, a wine connected to some good memories, something you tasted and fell in love with or something you are really dying to try for the first time. It doesn’t necessarily have to be extremely pricey, as long as it signifies something special for you.
Enjoy the time with good company, wine, and food and after, post your thoughts, photos, experiences, and stories on social media using the hashtag #OTBN and #farsonsdirect. Sounds like fun? Find your own special bottle at farsonsdirect.com now!
Our #OTBN suggestions:
1. Casa E. di Mirafiore Barolo Lazzarito 2010
Ruby-red with garnet highlights, it has a sumptuous bouquet, with clear-cut overtones of ripe plums, tobacco, mint, rosemary, cinnamon, and dried mushrooms. Very dense, closely woven tannins give the taste a well-knit sensation, together with softness and balance.
2. Elena Walch Beyond the Clouds 2018
brilliant straw yellow characterizes the white cuvée “Beyond the Clouds.” On the nose, a complex, beguiling aroma game with notes of white flowers and fruit nuances from stone fruit and pineapple, capped by a fine mineral approach. Elegant and multi-layered, the wine presents itself with a discreetly integrated, restrained wood note on the palate: with finesse and power, exciting and with great development potential and a vibrant finish. A selection of our finest white grapes, predominantly Chardonnay.
3. Brancaia Ilatraia 2006
The Ilatraia is a top wine from the Maremma – it is full-bodied and impresses with its freshness, precision and elegance. This wine shows a perfect balance between maturity and finesse. It is extremely silky and polished with supple tannins that are typical of the Tuscan
coast. The blend of 40% Petit Verdot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Cabernet Franc shows the full beauty of this terroir. This is not least because the three grape varieties can ripen perfectly without irrigation. Ilatraia is aged in half new French barriques for 18 months and then matures in the bottle for at least one year. “What a balance of maturity and finesse.
Ideal with: dishes with balanced, intense flavors, with meat and game dishes (fried or braised), with poultry such as pigeon or pheasant. Our favorite: fresh tagliatelle with wild boar ragout.
4. Bollinger PN VZ15
PN VZ15 is the first wine in a new series that will be released every year, always with a focus on one of Bollinger’s Pinot Noir crus, or villages. PN VZ15 is the first cuvee added to Bollinger's permanent range since Rose NV in 2008. Each year the cuvee will be an expression of a different cru from the base year that highlight's its distinctive terroir and taste. PN VZ15 highlights the village of Verzenay (VZ) which makes up 50% of the blend with the balance from Aÿ, Bouzy and Tauxières. The blend features 80% from 2015 and 20% of Bollinger's reserve wines from 2009 and 2010 from Verzenay.
The nose is expressive, with Pinot Noir elements prominent, spices, ripe apples and hints of brioche expand through to the palate. A rich palate comes from the expressive reserve wines aged in Bollinger magnums. The wine takes you back to the Bollinger routes in Pinot Noir and this exciting first release really shows off the Verzenay fruits.
5. Emmanuel Rouget Echezeaux 2014
The 2014 Echzeaux Grand Cru, matured entirely in new oak, has a gorgeous black cherry, raspberry coulis and mineral-infused bouquet, coiled tightly at first but unfurling with each swirl of the glass. The palate is well structured, a Grand Cru with admirable backbone. There is patently impressive depth with multi-layered red and black fruit, edging towards something richer and denser towards the persistent finish.
6. Château Léoville-Las Cases 2003
An incredibly fresh, lively 2003, this wine offers a dense ruby/purple color along with full body and a remarkable nose of black currants, kirsch, lead pencil shavings and vanilla. Opulent, full-bodied and close to full maturity, it is a seamless classic that will age for 15-20 more years. Kudos to the Delon family for such a brilliant achievement in a tricky vintage.
7. Shafer TD-9 2017
Yet another wonderful Californian wine from Napa Valley, this 2017 TD-9 from the Shafer winery. A core of Merlot is supported by Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon The name comes from the owner teaching himself how to ride a TD-9 tractor through the vineyard, having never made wine before. Sufficiently spicy and fruity, this one.
8. Henschke Euphonium Keyneton Estate 2014
Deep garnet with pale garnet hues. Lifted aromas of red plum, mulberry, blackcurrant and black pepper, with supporting notes of thyme, bay leaf, charcuterie and cedary oak. A concentrated and powerful palate of mouth-watering ripe plum, blackberry and black and red currant, balanced by savoury white pepper, anise and tarragon, fresh and buoyant acidity and an exceptionally long, fine tannin finish.