Renown wine critic Michael Broadbent once said: “Drinking good wine with good food in good company is one of life’s most civilized pleasures.” He had a point. There's no need to wait for a special occasion to open that "good wine" — all you need are good food and good company. That's the idea behind Open That Bottle Night. 

Celebrated on the last Saturday of February each year, Open That Bottle Night was created by husband-and-wife wine writing team of Dorothy J. Gaiter and John Brecher (the duo behind the Wall Street Journal's "Tastings" column for nearly 10 years) to encourage people to take time out to connect with each other over a great bottle.  

Here's how to celebrate:

1. Find that bottle you've been saving, or swing by Wine & Spirits tonight to check out some of our top shelf selections. You'll find some of our favorites below.
2. Find a great recipe and invite those closed to you over for a cozy dinner, great drinks and new memories.

Looking for a way to make the moment last? Pick up a Coravin Wine Preservation system. Starting at just $99, these gadgets can extend the life of your wine for weeks, even months, making them a wine-lovers dream. 

Frias Family Vineyard Lady of the Dead Red 2019

Frias Family Vineyards suffered losses in the recent California wildfires, and are hard at work rebuilding for new releases, making this wine a rare treat. The 2019 Lady of the Dead has a backbone of Cabernet from Napa Valley, supplemented by Syrah, Mourvèdre, and Graciano. The complexity on the nose offers notes of purple flowers, blue and black fruit, and a subtle hint of sweet oak, with a nuance of freshly tilled earth underneath. Dark red berries and cassis on the palate are highlighted by top notes of Bing cherry and a touch of savory smoked meat.

Gil Berzal Recoveco Rioja Blanco 2018

This is an organic blend of Viura and Malvasia grown biodynamically on a single plot in some of the best terroir in Rioja. Unfined and unfiltered, this dry, succulent white opens with subtle aromas of tropical fruit, apple, and white flowers that explode with notes of anise, fresh brioche, and sweet herbs. Fresh and nervy, the wine has a lovely balance of depth and mineral complexity. 

Mount Eden Vineyard Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2015

The heritage of Mount Eden Cabernet Sauvignon dates back to the 1890s, when the famed viticulturist Emmett Rixford of Woodside, California, obtained select cuttings from Chateau Margaux in Bordeaux, France. The results are wines like their 2015 Estate Cab. Sauv., which is bold, deep, complex, and intense. A blend of Cab. Sauv., Merlot, Cab. Franc and Petit Verdot, the wine offers notes of tart cassis, cherry, bay leaf, graphite, dark chocolate, spice, cedar, and savory herbs. All of that flavor is framed by freshness and ripe tannins, with a long and vibrant finish. 

Famille Joly Clos de la Coulee de Serrant 2019

Considered one of the greatest dry white wines in France, the Clos de la Coulée de Serrant has its own AOC and is entirely owned by the Joly family. A remarkable expression of the land, this Chenin Blanc is produced from 7 hectares of vineyards aging 40 to 50 years-old. Unparalleled in intensity and complexity, the energy of the property is bottled in this iconic and limited offering.

Kaesler Old Bastard Shiraz 2018

Kaesler Old Bastard is one of Australia’s most highly regarded Shiraz wines. It is consistently rated as one of the Barossa’s benchmark Shiraz wines and is highly sought after by wine collectors around the world. This bold red wine has gorgeous notes of black fruit, oak, and a hint of anise and black pepper.