According to the Mayan calendar, the world is coming to an end this year. This probably isn’t the news you wanted to hear, but fear not — with the right planning and execution, you can survive the upcoming apocalypse. Below, you’ll find steps that lay out our own game-plan, in detail, so be sure to pay attention and you should be just fine on December 21, 2012!

Step 1: Purchase several cases of FAT bastard wine any time up to December 20th, 2012.

Step 2: Drink and enjoy FAT bastard wine until the end of the world.

And that’s pretty much it.  I mean, were you expecting something else?  It’s pretty much the best advice we can give, but don’t just take it from us — our fans on Twitter have been making noise in the glorious year of 2012, our last year on this Earth, and here’s what they had to say:

“@doodledodie: Dear Fat Bastard, it takes me less time to drink that bottle of wine than it did to open it.”

• This is good.  Less time to open and enjoy equals more time to enjoy the world before it ends.

“@sophielou612: Fat Bastard Wine… Drink of Champions”

• Last time we checked, champions had a better chance of surviving an apocalypse than pretty much anyone else.  Correct us if we’re wrong! (Champions only, please.)

“@IanBautista: Having a glass, or 5 of my new fave red wine, The Fat Bastard.”

• This guy might have the same surivival plan as we do…

“@blogaboutstuph: In honor of J.Lo’s dress, Steph and I are opening a ‘remarkably full-bodied wine.’ Thank you Fat Bastard. #oscars”

• You’re welcome. Since there probably won’t be much food after the world ends, why not drink a full-bodied wine instead?

“@krissyt67: Is it possible that drinking a glass of Fat Bastard while eating Girl Scout cookies is wrong? #thinmints #wine”

• No.  It’s so unbelievably right.  In fact, this might just be the combination that saves the world.  We’ll keep you updated.

Follow us on Twitter @FATbastardWine for funny hippo-isms, more survival tips, and shoutouts to our followers.  And remember, Live LARGE!!

Thanksgiving is approaching, we were curious about what the first Thanksgiving was actually like. Did the pilgrims really eat turkey? And what did they drink – was it wine? Here is what we found out in our (extremely thorough internet) research.

The first Thanksgiving was really a celebration of the harvest. Native Americans from the Wampanoag had taught some of the Pilgrims how to harvest corn, fertilize crops, and how to fish, hunt, and gather. When fall came around, the Pilgrims were so pleased with their bounty, and the fact that they were still alive, that they decided to celebrate. The Pilgrims and the tribe sat down to feast for three days (or a week, accounts are sketchy).

What they ate and drank is hard to say for sure. They probably feasted on native game and birds, as well as fish. They would likely have served native fruits like plums and cranberries, as well as local vegetables like leeks, onions, and squash. They almost certainly did not have mashed potatoes and gravy (which is really, really sad in our view.)

Our real question is whether or not there was wine. Again, it’s hard to say. Some settlers may have brought wine across with them on the Mayflower, but if there was any alcohol is was more likely barley wine or beer, which they could have brewed themselves. Surprisingly, since apples were not yet available, cider wouldn’t have been part of the first Thanksgiving either.

While we certainly love the Thanksgiving tradition, we think our modern version, with mashed potatoes and FAT bastard, sounds a lot more fun (and yummy!) than the original.

Another beautiful summer day is plent to celebrate, but the MLB All-Star game is on Tuesday and it is also Bastille Day on Thursday! So in honor of our French roots and our American fans, we are going to be celebrating both with this blog post.

To borrow a phrase from one of the greatest sportscasters ever, “My, oh, my!” What a year it has been so far, can you guys believe that we are already at the All-Star game? We had some great story lines going , right? From the usual big name franchises we have Jeter and his completed quest to 3,000, the slow start for the Red Sox followed by some torrid play, and the Phillies pitching machine being the Philies pitching machine. Then we have the unexpectedly great play of Ryan Vogelsong and Justin Verlander, the Cleavland Indians chance at being the potential end for the Cleavland sportspocalypse, and uh… Mark Cuban and the Dodgers debacle?

This year should be another fun time as we enjoy summer with America’s favorite pastime. The sun is out and everybody just seems more at ease. What better way to enjoy life and baseball than with the bottle that’s short on pretension, but big on flavor?

As we commence the pageantry and entertainment of the All-Star ceremonies, we here at FAT bastard are also keeping our eyes on Thursday! As a French wine, we can’t help but celebrate as it is La Fête Nationale- which means� “The National Celebration”- as well as enjoy the festivities of MLB’s All-Star game. Bastille Day is not only� a song by Rush, but it is the day to commemorate the storming of the prison/fortress where King Louis XVI� had imprisoned political prisoners who disagreed with monarchical rule. The people stormed the Bastille to get armaments to protect themselves from the possibility of agression from the royal troops. It then became one of the catalysts for the French Revolution.

To this day, the storming of the Bastille remains a symbol of liberty, freedom, and the indomitable human will. It has become so iconic that the celebration of the people’s movement toward “Liberté, égalité, fraternité” transcends borders and state lines. In fact, countries all over the world celebrate Bastille Day, including America.

So this year, won’t you celebrate with us the freedoms we all cherish? Why not do it with a bottle of French wine while you are ta it? If it so happens to be a bottle of FAT bastard, we won’t complain.

À votre santé!

These are the moments any sports fan lives for. The Mavericks needed just one more win to bring the Larry O’Brien trophy back to the Big D. The Miami Heat stood in their way with their Big 3 playing on their homecourt. Did we just see the ascendance of Dirk into the highest echelon of basketball stardom? Did we just witness LeBron fall from his throne? Will people finally start saying reDIRKulous so I stop getting weird looks at the sports bar?

All of these questions were answered on Sunday. (We are looking at you for that last question Mark Jackson!) However, our love of great gamesmanship is only tempered by our love for great wine, especially our own! So, we too are on a mission, convincing people that wine and sports watching to together like… well like our wines do with so many different types of food! To see some of our combinations, check our Living Large� page or download our free app for any iOS device (iPhone, iPod, iAnything).

When we were at our office watching party, we loved to drink some Sauvignon Blanc as we watched Jason Terry� launch into his goofy jet or Chris Bosh stretch out his neck and scream� just like an ostrich. We turned it into an office party game. Everyone took a sip when Dwayne� Wade glowered or when Shawn Marion scrunched up his face. Thunderous jams were always followed by raucous� cheers and the quiet clink of glasses as we toasted another great play. Of course, we also toasted the victorious Dallas Mavericks for their thrilling win and great performance throughout the playoffs.

Then, we were just given two days rest before the Stanley Cup Championship Game 7. As you can� probably tell by our previous post, we were pretty� pumped and given that we had seen such a crazy series so far, we were out-of-our-minds excited for Game 7. Even the non-fans� in our office were asking about when the game started and who was going to win. Somehow, the game was…well, let’s just say it didn’t quite pack as much excitement as some of the other games. A blowout just� doesn’t appeal to us as much as a close game. We tip our hats off to the Boston Bruins for being able to win a record number of game 7s in the playoffs and their first Cup since 1972.

But really, how spoiled are we? We had two great series and two championship games in the same week! How will we last until October rolls around? Maybe with some help from our friendly neighborhood hippo and its beverage of choice?

In the mean time, here is a little light fun reading for you. A couple people in our office had a debate about what the top players from each team in the NBA finals would be if they were wines, below is what they concluded.�

Dirk Nowitzki-

Chardonnay. We promise you we didn’t make this pairing because both are tall, white, and magical. Our Chardonnay is a strong constant performer that truly comes through in the clutch when you need a solid wine, just like Dirk’s truly materful performance this year in the playoffs and finals. Dirk was able to really shine in the 4th quarter and, well, if you’ve had our Chard, you know about its finish. “Look out mama! There goes that man!” – Mark Jackson

Dwayne Wade-

Shiraz. Brash and loud, but truly talented, both Wade and our Shiraz have powerful moves; one has quick cuts to the rim followed by big time slams, the other has powerful blackberry aromas. Our Shiraz goes perfectly with big bites of red meat and spicy foods and Wade won his only championship with the “meaty” Shaq who always has a few spicy words for young people aspiring to be like him.

It just seems like you can’t escape the ubiquity of technology today. Everyone and their dog has a smartphone, our tvs are now computers, and our entire lives are up for display on the internet. When will it end??? We say a better question is who wants it to end? Here at FAT bastard, we embrace all these newfangled gadgets and we welcome our new computer overlords. In that spirit, we are proud to announce the release of our FAT bastard app for the iOS!

Have you ever been in the kitchen wondering what to make to go with that new bottle of FAT bastard Chardonnay you just picked up at the store? Or have you ever experienced the dread stuck-in-a-new-place-and-not-knowing-where-to-get-FAT-bastard� scenario? Well, rest assured, because we here at FAT bastard have the perfect solution. Our new app has wine/food pairings, a store locator, and a ton of information on all our wines, so that you can keep on living large. Speaking of living large, did we mention that the app also includes our great new game, “Don’t Spill the Wine!” Perfect for living large solo or in that wolfpack of yours.

Oh, and here is the best part of all- it is completely FREE. so go out and spend that extra money you saved on another bottle of delicious FAT bastard wine and continue to LIVE LARGE!

�

Here we are right in the thick of the hunt for the cup. What cup? Lord Stanley’s cup of course! This post goes out to all of you hockey fanatics across the world. We are watching history in the making right now. Will the Vancouver Canucks claim their first Cup? Or will the Boston Bruins win it all for the first time since Bobby Orr led them to victory in 1972? It’s a good time to be a fan and what better way to enjoy some mighty fine hockey than with a glass of quality FAT bastard wine?

Forget beer, this year try watching the games with a nice glass of FAT bastard instead. Whether you want to sip on some FAT bastard Sauvignon Blanc and enjoy seafood from either coast or you want to enjoy the fullness of our Shiraz as you party with your friends and chow down on thick juicy burgers, FAT bastard has you covered for all your Stanley Cup party needs. However, we don’t stop looking out for you there. Are you looking to wash away the bitter taste of defeat? Try some of our Chardonnay. Want the perfect pairing for the sweet taste of victory? Try our Pinot Noir. We kid, but those are great wines, so try them out anyway; we know that sports can leave you disappointed, but these wines won’t!

While most of us will never be able to drink champagne out of the silver chalice, we all can drink some FAT bastard while we cheer on our favorite team. Live Large, eh?

Hot dogs are everywhere these days, from the classic Chicago-style dogs to more gourmet offerings from top chefs. Plus, pairing hot dogs with wine is becoming more and more popular. There was even a hot dog and wine pairing session at last year’s Aspen Food & Wine Classic!

While hot dogs and wine might seem like a quirky pair, they actually complement each other quite nicely. Adding different toppings also allows for some really tasty and unique pairings. FAT bastard has recently partnered with several well-known hot dog restaurants around the country to develop pairings for some of their most famous dogs. The restaurants include:

Fab Hot Dogs
Reseda, CA

Hot Dog Heaven
Orlando, FL

Franks N Dawgs
Chicago, IL

4505 Meats
San Francisco, CA

Walter’s
Mamaroneck, Westchester County, NY

Po Dog
Seattle, WA

You can look for these pairings on bottle necktags at your favorite FAT bastard retailer. Just to give you a taste of what we’re talking about, check out these two bonus pairings from Dante’s Inferno Dogs in Seattle, WA.

The Classic — Pair with FAT bastard Chardonnay

A classic 100% Boars Head grilled beef frank, served on a toasted bun with sauerkraut and Dijon mustard. The rich roundness of the Chardonnay will balance some of the acids of the Dijon Mustard and sauerkraut. The toasty oak of the Chardonnay will heighten the smokiness of a well-grilled hot dog.

The Cream of the Crop — pair with FAT bastard Pinot Noir

A Zenner’s Double Smoked Bacon Cheddar sausage served on a toasted Pioneer roll with Dijon mustard and cream cheese. Smoke, bacon and cheddar are natural pairings for this varietal, while Dijon mustard and cream cheese both complement the fruit-forward nature of the FAT bastard Pinot Noir.

So Relish Life and Live Large with FAT bastard and your favorite hot dog!

Valentine’s Day is only a week away – how are you going to celebrate with your loved one? Try a wine and chocolate pairing!

Both wine and chocolate have complex flavors, which makes pairing them together very enjoyable. Choosing which wines to pair with which chocolate may seem daunting, but follow our tips and you’ll have a delicious and fun Valentine’s Day activity:

• First, we recommend purchasing high-quality chocolate. Remember that lighter chocolates pair better with lighter wines, while darker chocolates pair better with more full-bodied wines.
• During the tasting, start with the lighter chocolates and wines and move progressively through to the darker and more full-bodied styles.
• Start by swirling the wine and sniffing it, then take a small sip and swallow. Take a small bite of chocolate and let it sit on your tongue. When the chocolate is about to melt, take another small sip of wine and let the flavors unfold.

Pairing recommendations:

• For white or milk chocolate, try the FAT bastard Sauvignon Blanc and the FAT bastard Merlot
• For semi-sweet chocolate, try the FAT bastard Pinot Noir
• For dark or bittersweet chocolate, try the FAT bastard Cabernet Sauvignon and the FAT bastard Shiraz

Remember to cleanse your palate between each pair with a small piece of bread or cracker and a sip of water.

Happy Valentine’s Day and remember to LOVE LARGE!

It’s that time of year for FAT bastard’s signature wine cocktails! Master mixologist Jamie Boudreau has created four delightful recipes just in time for the approaching holidays, including an inspired pumpkin pie-flavored classic!

Jamie Boudreau is a mixoligist of international renown, gaining experience creating libations at fine establishments and in prestigious competitions around the globe.� He has earned fantastic acclaim in a long list of publications including: the New York Times, Details, Forbes, Wired, Wine Spectator, Food & Wine magazine.

These fantastic cocktails that Jamie has developed are very easy to mix & serve—perfect for celebrating the season. Favorites like FAT bastard Chardonnay, Shiraz or Cabernet shine in these vibrant and delicious cocktails. Additional ingredients are simple and unique, including pumpkin pie mix & apple and pear brandies! Live Large with our special holiday wine cocktails and mix up a sensational season.

The Great Pumpkin

• 2 oz. FAT bastard Chardonnay
• 1 oz. cognac
• ½ oz. simple syrup
• ½ oz. apple cider
• 1 heaping teaspoon of spiced pumpkin pie mix

Combine ingredients in a cocktail shaker

Shake hard and fine strain into a cocktail glass

Hippo in a Pear Tree

• 2 oz FAT bastard Chardonnay
• ½ oz Poire Williams (pear brandy)
• ½ oz maraschino liqueur

Combine ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice

Stir and strain into a cocktail glass

Garnish with star anise

Highland Holiday

• 1-½ oz FAT bastard Cabernet Sauvignon
• 1-½ oz scotch
• ¼ oz cassis
• ¼ oz simple syrup
• dash Angostura bitters

Combine ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice

Stir and strain into a cocktail glass

Blue Christmas

• 2 oz blueberry infused FAT bastard Shiraz*
• 1 oz apple brandy
• ½ oz apricot liqueur

Combine ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice

Stir and strain into a cocktail glass

*To make blueberry infused FAT bastard Shiraz, steep 3 teabags of blueberry flavored tea with Shiraz for seven minutes

Did you know that breast cancer is the most common cancer among American women, except for skin cancers? Did you know that there are over 2.5 million breast cancer survivors in the United States? Did you know that October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month?

Well, FAT bastard wants to help. For the eighth consecutive year we are raising money for this important cause. During the months of September and October, we will donate 25 cents for every bottle of FAT bastard sold to local, regional and national breast cancer organizations (up to $75,000). By the end of this year’s campaign, FAT bastard will have raised over half of a million dollars to help conquer this devastating disease.

That means that your purchase of FAT bastard will have an immediate impact. Your dollars will directly support organizations committed to breast cancer research, education, treatment and patient support. Some of our charity partners for 2010 include: The Maurer Foundation, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, The Virginia Breast Cancer Foundation, The Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Christina S. Walsh Foundation, and more.

“Thanks to Fat bastard, we are able to stay focused and dedicated to breast cancer patients in need of support in over 32 states around the country,” says Robert Walsh, Director of the Christina S. Walsh Foundation. “While we firmly believe finding a cure is imperative, we provide financial assistance to breast cancer patients. Since many patient support programs folded this past year as a result of the recession, our help is needed more than ever.” The Christina S. Walsh Foundation is a non-profit organization that provides financial assistance for the treatment of uninsured patients, medications and tests not covered by insurance, wigs, transportation to and from treatments, hospice care, and other financial burdens experienced by breast cancer patients.

Also, keep your eye out for special breast cancer awareness bottle neckers with FREE pink ribbon pins so you can show your support for this great cause!