A married couple wrote a wine article every Friday for the Wall Street Journal (they recently retired that column this past year).... and among their many journeys and experiences with friends.... old friends and new friends they met along their journeys..... a conversation that came up often, was how everyone had 'that' special bottle of wine that they were saving for 'that' special event, day, or celebration.....but..... 'that' day never seemed to come......no day ever seemed worthy enough to open 'that' bottle of wine, and thus.... many wonderful bottles of wine would eventually turn to vinegar or just go bad and 'that' special bottle was admired but never enjoyed. So.... this married couple invited everyone around the world to gather some friends who would bring their own 'that' special bottle, or a bottle of wine they just picked out and want to make a special memory with or have wanted to try for awhile... you get the gist.... have some nibbles to go with the wines and basically have a wine tasting with your friends or special someone's and create special memories to go with all those special bottles of wine. In other words.... they created a reason to actually open and enjoy 'that' special bottle of wine.
My husband who is an avid reader of the Wall Street Journal, and who enjoys discovering new wines, always wanted to host an OTBN party.... but it is in the middle of winter, we live where the weather is always iffy that time of year, and we didn't know enough people who were really interested in wine at the time for us to go through the trouble of hosing an OTBN party. Then, one Labor Day weekend at Joe's cousin's home.... he and several of his cousins were all sitting around discussing various wines and we decided then and there to host one and invite his cousins. That was our first OTBN party, it was such a success, we have continued the tradition ever since, and plan on continuing the tradition as long as people will come enjoy it with us.
We have kept a journal each year of the wines that were opened and enjoyed, along with the dates of the wine, where the wine originated and who brought the wine. We rate the wines with stars and we always review the journal each year as we begin the current OTBN party.
Joe and I provide all the nibbles.... we spend the entire day in the kitchen together preparing for the party.... and other than Thanksgiving.... it is one of my favorite days, because we are putzing along, doing our various kitchen dances and being with and working with each other, yet we are totally focused on our separate tasks. We have music playing in the background... it's just a fun fun day in the kitchen.
This year our menu was.... various gourmet cheeses, with fruits, nuts, honey, crackers and toasttes, artichoke and spinach hummus/roasted red pepper hummus w/pita chips, smoked chicken/sundried tomato crepe wraps (I will have to post this recipe.... really good party nibble!), dill/chive, radish and salmon crepe wraps, bruschetta, smoked pork tenderloin with mini rolls, shrimp w/cocktail sauce, savory bread sticks, veggie tray, and last but definitely not least..... those amazing eclairs! YUM! Everything was ready by the time our guests arrived..... Joe and I had worked hard and were ready to relax and enjoy the party with our guests.... and that's exactly what we did too!!! We all had a very good time!
To host your own OTBN party..... here's how you do it....... send out invites the first of February to any friends or family who you would like to celebrate an evening enjoying special wines with, be sure to include a brief explanation of what OTBN is and for your guests to bring a special bottle of wine they would like to share. Serve nibbles/hors d'vours.... either from the deli already prepared, or from the freezer section and thawed (there really is a nice selection of hors d'vours that can be found in the freezer section, including mini eclairs that are really good), or whipped up in your own kitchen. Typically you would want nibbles that go well with wine.... such as cheeses, fruits, breads, antipasta, olives, thin sliced deli meats..... etc. Your guests show up with their wines.... you as host serve each wine in the sequence of your choice and you and your guests enjoy each other's special wines together. The conversation, the laughing, the enjoyment of the wines.... it is a wonderfully fun night.
I think the couple who created OTBN were very smart to have it on a Saturday because Sunday's are definitely needed for recovery!!! But then..... it only comes once a year.... so a little indulgence with special people and their special wines is good for the soul! : ) I hope those of you who read this blog are encouraged to host your own OTBN party next year.... don't worrry.... I will remind you several weeks before so you won't miss it.
So don't let your special wines spoil or never be enjoyed..... join us and all the other worldwide OTBN'ers and make those bottle truly special with special memories!