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. 

Celebrate by finding a bottle you’ve been saving, or drop by Wine & Spirits tonight to check out some of our top shelf selections. You’ll find some of our favorites below. Invite those closest 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 $100, these gadgets can extend the life of your wine for weeks, even months, making them a wine-lovers dream. 

Champagne Tarlant La Vigne d’Or 2006

This 100% Pinot Meunier hails from a single parcel planted in 1947 in Oeuilly by winemaker Benoît Tarlant’s grandfather. The parcel, called “Pierre de Bellevue,” is grown on clay-limestone soils, which contributes to its minerality and pure fruit expression. Notes of fresh apples, pear compote, brioche, roasted nuts, praline, open the wine, lifted with a touch of cherry blossom and orange peel. On the palate, the wine is plush and mouthwateringly fresh, with a long, elegant finish. This is a Champagne’s Champagne, ideal as an aperitif to take full advantage of its aromatic complexity or to accompany delicate fish, white meat dishes or a decadent dessert.

Charles Krug Grande Cuvée 22ème Éd. Rosé

Krug Rosé—a relatively recent addition to this iconic Champagne House—is inspired by the dream of the fifth generation of the House of Krug, to create an entirely new kind of rosé. Every edition perpetuates this legacy. The 22nd Edition is a blend of 22 wines across 5 vintages, from 2005-2010. Aged for 7 years prior to release, the wine opens with the scent of raspberry, blackcurrant, brioche, thyme, and warm spice. On the palate, the flavor is both delicate and generous, with a mix of red fruits, crushed violets, and lively citrus, balanced by a long and persistent finish. What could you pair this with? The sky, quite frankly, is the limit.

Clos Saron Taken From Granite ‘Swan Song’ 2001

Produced by acclaimed winemaker Gideon Beinstock during his tenure at the now-defunct Renaissance Vineyard and Winery, this is an extraordinary organic Cabernet Sauvignon made from vines planted in the late 1970s on ungrafted rootstock over extremely rocky, mineral-rich, granitic soils in the Sierra Foothills. Barely 400 cases of this stunning red were produced. It is perfectly evolved and energetic, filled with dusty berries, savory dried herbs, light smoke and cedar. Hailing from 2001, one of California’s best vintages, decant for at least two hours to allow this magical red to reach its full potential and enjoy alongside a beautiful steak or savory mushroom polenta for a taste of aged California wine at its finest. 

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, 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. It’s delightful now, but will age wonderfully for up to 10 years. This one is a keeper!

Giuseppe Nada ‘Casmar’ Barbaresco Riserva 2017

Fewer than 2,000 bottles of this complex and layered Nebbiolo were produced by landmark Barbaresco producer Giuseppe Nada. This Riserva is produced in only the best years, and is made from the best fruit on the oldest vines of Nada’s Casot and Marcarini vineyards. Nuanced and delicate, with a smooth, velvety attack, luscious fruit and hints of savory herbs that carry through to the lengthy finish. This wine is textured and fresh, easy to drink now with classic osso buco, lasagna, or roast meats, or cellar for up to 12 years. 

Materne & Schmitt Lehmener Ausoniusstein Riesling 2019

Located 15 km up-river from Winningen, Lehmen has blue-grey slate that contains fossils from 400 million years ago when the area was covered by ocean. These fossils, along with underground calcareous springs, bring the pH of the soil to a more basic level and provide a significant difference in nutrients provided to the vines, which in turn creates a drastic difference in aromatic characteristics. With four to eight hours of maceration on skins, the wine develops 11 months on lees in stainless steel tanks before being filtered and bottled. This organic Riesling has tantalizing aromas of smoke and herbs that give way to a slightly fruitier side with lemon and lime notes. This earthier Riesling would be perfect alongside roasted meats or pulled pork.