Is your cider cellar packed with bottles you’ve been saving for the perfect occasion? Well, in our opinion, life is too short to wait!
Saturday, February 24, 2024, is the 3rd annual Open That Cider Bottle night, an off-shoot of Open That Bottle Night, an event founded in 2000 by two Wall Street Journal columnists, Dorothy J. Gaiter and John Brecher. This worldwide celebration was originally meant to encourage wine drinkers to open a special bottle from the cellar, basically just for funzies.
The American Cider Association joined the festivities in 2022 by designating the last Saturday in February as a day for cider fans to open and share something special!
In 2024, the ACA is bringing the tradition back! This year, they’ll be offering prizes for various categories and everyone who participates will be entered to win a wine/cider suitcase.
Here’s how to participate:
- Pick out a special cider to open on Saturday, February 24. Maybe it’s a homemade cider a friend gave you, or a limited release or one-off from a cider club you belong to. Perhaps it’s a bottle you picked up on a special trip, or a gift you’ve been hanging on to. Or, head to your local bottle shop and splurge on that bottle you’ve been eyeing all year!
- Either way, pick a cider with a great backstory and share a photo or Reel of it on Instagram anytime on Saturday, February 24, using the hashtag #openthatciderbottle. Don’t forget to also tag @pickcider!
Then, the ACA will award prizes to their favorite post in the following categories:
- Best Cider Bottle Story: Share what makes the cider you chose so special to you.
- Best Cider Adventure Story: Capture your cider bottle with an image that embodies the spirit of adventure in the world of cider.
- Best Cider/Food Pairing Suggestion: Explore the world of culinary delights that pair well with your chosen cider.
- Best Cider Artistry: Showcase the artistic side of cider whether it be a beautiful label or a beautiful setting for your cider bottle.
Everyone who posts will be entered into a drawing for the wine suitcase. You’ve got nothing to lose, so start considering which cider you’re going to enjoy, and get ready for Open that Cider Bottle on February 24!
- Photo: Pexels