Do you have a Sharrott bottle that looks like this? What are you waiting for? Open that bottle!

If you’re a wine lover, you probably have a special bottle of wine (or two) that you’ve been saving for the right occasion. It may be an expensive wine or one that has sentimental value to you; whatever the case, it’s been sitting in your wine cellar for a while now. That’s why Tastings columnists Dorothy J. Gaiter and John Brecher invented Open That Bottle Night, a world-wide celebration of friends, family, and memories during which we are encouraged to finally drink that bottle we’ve been saving.

OTBN is celebrated on the last Saturday of February every year, releasing thousands of bottles from their cellar prisons to be enjoyed. Drinking these special bottles releases memories of loved ones, special moments, vacations, and even bitter-sweet times in our lives.

If you plan to celebrate OTBN, here are some tips to help you enjoy every sip:

Choose your wine. Select the wine that means the most to you. It could be a fine wine, or one made by your grandfather in his cellar. The point here is to evoke memories.

Stand older wine up for a few days before you open it. This allows any sediment to sink to the bottom.

Be prepared for an older cork to break. Have a coffee filter and carafe on hand to filter out any cork that gets into your wine.

Have a backup wine ready. Just in case your older wine has gone bad.

Enjoy the wine for what it is, not what is once was. You might even say a few words to your friends and family about why you chose this wine.

Will you be celebrating OTBN? Do you have a special Sharrott wine you’ve been saving? Why not open it this Saturday and let us know how it goes.

Cheers!