How often have you looked at that bottle of wine that you’ve been saving for a special occasion and decided to keep it as something you’ll break open when you have some event that is worthy of its wonderful, rich flavors and aromas. Will you share it with a special partner, friend or at a family gathering? You see it staring at you from your wine fridge or wine rack. Just lying there taunting you and waiting for that special moment in time. Its calling to you but you just can’t bring yourself to open it. It’s not the time. It’s a normal Friday night. Nothing special about it. You look at the beautiful bottle in all its splendor, walking by several times looking and longing to taste its deliciousness. Could you actually open it on this non-occasion? Of course, you can!
Has this happened to you? Don’t wait until a special occasion to open your favorite bottles. If you aren’t a wine collector but a wine enthusiast, go ahead and enjoy your special wine. It’s probably a bottle that costs more than $40 and maybe it’s one that you got at a winery that you’d visited a few years ago or a wine event that you went to where you tasted it and loved it. But…why wait to open it? Make your own “special occasion.”
Don’t get me wrong, there are many, many wine collectors who love to collect rare bottles of wine and are looking forward to the day when they will savor every drop of the wines that they have collected over the years. These are very expensive and rare bottles that deserve a special occasion with all the fanfare that comes with tasting them. Rather, I’m talking about an amateur “collector” who buys a bottle with the intention of holding on to it for a few years, but those few years inevitably turn into many years. Trust me, I’m guilty of that myself. I have several bottles that I have been saving for a special moment. But sometimes those special moments are few and far between and the wine sadly sits there waiting. Waiting for its magnificent moment to shine. Well, I’m suggesting that we don’t wait. We open it and appreciate it’s spectacularity!
Why not have a “wine party” for two of you or four of you. Make your own special occasion. These bottles are meant to be shared and enjoyed. Invite a special person or three or four friends over, make a lovely charcuterie board with cheese, crackers, meats, etc. Get out those wine glasses that you bought on a whim. Even if they have been packed away for a special occasion. This is it! Uncork your amazing wine and let the aroma fill your nose, they room and your senses. Pour it, tell the story of how you came upon this beautiful wine, give them all the info on the wine (place of origin, winery, date of vintage, grape varietal), discuss what you all have discovered about the wine while tasting it and best of all…enjoy it!
Cheers!