Open That Bottle Night was created in 1999, and it has taken the world by storm. It’s the brainchild of Dorothy J. Gaiter and John Brecher, who launched a beloved wine column for The Wall Street Journal in 1998 dubbed “Tastings.” The holiday was conceived of as the ultimate wine YOLO (you only live once).
The idea is simple, but profound: Open That Bottle that you’ve been “saving” for a special moment. Perhaps you bought it a month ago, or perhaps you bought it a decade or more ago. Maybe you bought it on vacation, or maybe you bought it at an especially happy time, or on impulse. Often, we buy special things—wines, clothing, shoes—dreaming of the moment we’ll taste or wear them, but never feeling the moment at hand is “good” enough.
One of our favorite ways to celebrate Open That Bottle Night is by pulling out one of our patiently resting NJ wines. Many Garden State vintners work hard to craft wines that age well, and speaking from experience, mission accomplished.
Here are a few to seek out:
Hawk Haven Vineyard’s Q Bordeaux Blend: A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot. This wine, which was dubbed “regal” and rated 93 by Wine Enthusiast and also included in its Best of Year Buying Guide, offers a taste of classic Garden State terroir, with structure that ensures it will endure for years to come. Buy a 2022, lay it down, and prepare to be blown out of the water on a cold February night a few years from now. Or, sip it this February after giving it some air, and you’ll find blackberries, vanilla, raspberries, and nutmeg. Pair it with your best life.
Unionville Vineyards’ The Big O: A blend of Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Petit Verdot. This wine is a small-batch (only 120 cases are made) production that sells out due to its cult status among NJ wine cognoscenti. You’ll discover a majestic wine offering red berry fruit, tobacco leaf, allspice, texture that ripples for days. Lay down a 2022 or sip it now. Pair it with a beautiful day, right on the chilly cusp of Spring in February, and make it one to remember.
William Heritage Fortified Red 2024: Talk about drinking your just desserts. This fortified wine is built for celebrating, with dark plums, black cherries, violets, balanced by mocha, brown sugar, spice. Who needs a brownie now? This port-style wine is a great reminder of why we all need to be drinking more after-dinner delights.
