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Looking for an excuse to share that special bottle?

Aging wine shouldn’t be an endurance sport. As Penfolds’ winemaker Peter Gago warns collectors of his prized red wines: “Don’t let your kids drink your old wines at your wake!”

American wine columnists Dorothy J. Gaiter and John Brecher promoted the first Open that Bottle Night eighteen years ago. They set aside the last Saturday in February as the day to open a bottle of wine that was being saved for a special occasion.

Open that Bottle Night was created to be an excuse to gather family and friends together for a meal and pull the cork on a treasured bottle. Instead of waiting for the perfect moment, the idea was to force the issue. Opening a special wine can make an ordinary day an occasion.

Sharing the story of when, where and why the wine was purchased was a recommended part of the Open that Bottle Night festivities.

It’s also a good rule of thumb to have a back-up bottle when you’re planning on serving an older wine in case the bottle has passed its prime.

Despite the widespread belief that all wine can age well, it’s far from reality.

Precious few wines made today are built to last. Even most popular premium wines have been produced to taste their best at the time of release. The liquid inside the bottle might have the necessary tannin, acidity or alcohol to mature in bottle, but its appeal fades as the primary, fruity character of the wine diminishes.

Winemakers are aware that today’s consumer preference is for instant gratification. The time between the purchase of a bottle of wine and its opening is only a matter of hours.

Cellaring wine might not be common practice for modern wine lovers. Nevertheless, how many of us have that special bottle gathering dust in a cupboard or on a wine rack? Maybe it’s time to start planning your own Open that Bottle Night party.