With the new 2009 vintages just coming into the market, we thought it might be interesting to share a little bit about the region where FAT bastard is produced.

The Languedoc-Roussillon is in southern France and spans the coastline of the Mediterranean from the border of Spain to the region of Provence. The vineyards there are thought to make up the single largest wine-producing area in the whole world, with more than 700,000 acres of vines.  In fact, more wine is produced in the Languedoc than in the entire United States.

The climate and terrain are similar to those of Provence and the southern Rhône. It’s warm and arid, with very little rain during the peak growing season (May through August). Some of the main grape varieties of grapes that are grown in the area include: Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier, Cabernet Sauvignon, Carignan, Grenache, Merlot, Shiraz and Pinot Noir.

How wine is labeled in this region varies. Some wines are labeled according to their appellation, while others are labeled according to the variety of grape.

Grapes for FAT bastard wine are sourced from several vineyards throughout region. By combining the best characteristics of the vineyards in the area, we are able to produce high quality, fruit-driven, food-friendly wines that people enjoy all around the world.

Wine and cheese have always been ideal mates. Whether you are throwing a party or just want something tasty to eat with your favorite Fat Bastard varietal, pairing wine and cheese is both easy and fun. Here are some tips for creating a perfect pair.

Some people say that hard cheeses should be paired with red wines and soft cheeses should be paired with white wines, but that isn’t necessarily a hard-and-fast rule. However, one thing that can be agreed upon is that the wine and cheese should be similar in terms of the intensity of their flavor. The end result should be harmonious, with neither the wine nor the cheese overpowering the other.

If you are throwing a party or hosting a gathering, be sure to arrange the cheeses in an aesthetically pleasing manner. Depending on what types of cheese you plan to serve, don’t forget to think about utensils. You will need a cheese slicer for softer cheeses and a sharp knife for hard cheeses. While some cheese can be eaten plain, you’ll want to have several varieties of crackers on hand to be eaten with softer cheeses. 

As for what type of wine to pair with what type of cheese, here are a few examples of pairs that tend to work well together.

FAT bastard Chardonnay: Bucheron, mild Cheddar, Gruyere, Provolone, Brie, Camembert

FAT bastard Sauvignon Blanc: Asiago, Brie, Cheddar, Feta, goat cheese, Gruyere, Parmesan, Sonoma Jack

FAT bastard Cabernet Sauvignon: Camembert, sharp Cheddar, Colby, Danish Blue, Gorgonzola, Gouda, Parmesan, Roquefort

FAT bastard Merlot: Brie, Camembert, Gorgonzola, Gouda, Gruyere, Jarlsberg, Parmesan, Mancheg

FAT bastard Pinot Noir: Brie, Camembert, Feta, Gruyere, Monterey Jack, Muenster, Port Salut, Swiss, Edam

FAT bastard Shiraz: Roncal, Cheddar, Edam, Gouda, Parmesan

FAT bastard Rosé: Feta, goat cheese, Rocchetta, Havarti, Camembert, Brie

This Sunday, March 7^th, is the Academy Awards ceremony. Oscar® parties can be a lot of fun, and what better way to celebrate than with a few bottles of FAT bastard, some movie-themed food and great friends? Throwing an Oscar party is fun and easy with these tips.

First, make sure you have plenty of seating available for the number of people you plan to invite and that everyone will have a clear view of the television. Some people ask their guests to dress up in their finest Oscar-worthy attire, which can add to the festive mood but isn’t necessarily a must.

As your guests arrive, be sure to pass out pens and ballots. You can make your own ballots, or download the official ballots from the Academy’s website. If you make your own, consider adding funny open-ended categories like “Worst Dressed” or “Worst Acceptance Speech.’ When you tally the results at the end and announce the winner, you can also announce which celebrities won in your own fun contests. The winner should be encouraged to make an acceptance speech of their own, and it’s always nice to hand out a prize, even if just their own personal Oscar statue. We think a bottle of FAT bastard wine would be much appreciated as well!

As for food and drink, here are some appetizer ideas and wine pairings to go with some of the Best Picture nominees. Use these or let them be your inspiration and create your own!

Avatar

Pay homage to the blue Na’vi people of Pandora, and serve a bleu cheese dip and paired with FAT bastard Cabernet Sauvignon.

District 9

This one is kind of obvious, if you’ve seen the movie—grilled prawns on the barbeque! Serve with FAT bastard Sauvignon Blanc.

The Hurt Locker

Pay tribute to this movie’s setting with a Middle Eastern dish like hummus, kebabs or falafel and pair with the FAT bastard Shiraz or Sauvignon Blanc.

Inglourious Basterds

We chose French cuisine for this movie because much of it is set in France and in honor of our own French roots. Easy French favorites include croque monsieur sandwiches or mini quiches. For either of these, the FAT bastard Chardonnay in Pinot Noir would be a lovely complement.

Up in the Air

Homemade honey roasted peanuts were an easy choice to pay tribute to all of the air travel that takes place in this movie. Serve them with the FAT bastard Chardonnay.

“Fat Bastard lands in the UK! We are now back in the UK after a few years exploring foreign lands. You can visit the famous Gordon’s Wine Bar in London, the oldest wine bar in London (Est. 1890), where you will find our wines on sale. Gordon’s is also our sole agent in the UK for online sales direct to the public! Visit www.gordonswinebar.com for more information”

Celebrate the holidays with FAT bastard - the perfect companion for all your festivities!! 

For the second year in a row, FAT bastard offers stemless wine glasses with the lovable hippo!  Who said elegance can’t be fun!?   Keep them for yourself, or share them with your friends – either way they’re sure to be a hit! 

On behalf of all of us at the FAT bastard Wine Co., we raise our glass to you!  We wish you and your loved ones a safe and happy hoilday season!

Cheers~
The FAT bastard Wine Co.

Join the fight against Breast Cancer with FAT bastard!  Now through October, 25 cents of every bottle sold will go to fund Breast Cancer Awareness, Research and Support Organizations across the country.  Later this spring, the limited release 2008 Rose will continue the campaign to fight Breast Cancer and SAVE 2nd BASE!

Summer has officially begun, and whether your upcoming plans are to celebrate new milestones like a graduation or wedding, remember that FAT bastard wines make an excellent gift! Always a delightful surprise in the glass, and a fun conversation starter, bring a cold bottle of crisp and refreshing FAT bastard Sauvignon Blanc to your outdoor event! Or if you are toasting with friends and family over hearty barbeque fare, consider FAT bastard Cabernet or Pinot Noir; both are rich and delicious pairing nicely with grilled meats and roasted corn, hot off the grill.

Here’s to great gatherings, and celebrating the season in style! Hope your summer is off to a FAT start!

Cheers,
Fb

April has begun, and even though the view out your window might not be the picture of spring, it’s definitely on it’s way! Also just a hop-skip and a jump away is the Easter holiday.

Skip the bonnet and dress up your Easter table with a bottle of Fat bastard Rose`. Our newest 2008 vintage is hopping with ripe cherry and raspberry flavors, in a beautiful and delicious blushing-pink shade.

Here’s a toast to the season of new growth, and to the opportunity to relax and enjoy a bit of sunshine and spring flowers with friends and family!

Cheers,
Fb

Looking for something to set your Valentine’s heart aflutter? Look no further! A delicious bottle of FAT bastard is sure to help set the romantic mood, and with so many great varietals to choose from!

Want to spice things up? Try our rich Shiraz with just a hint of blackberries and spice to liven things up!

Indulge in a little luxury by slipping into a glass of our smooth and elegant Pinot Noir.

She’ll be tickled pink with a bottle of Fat bastard Rose`! Pairs beautifully with mild and soft cheeses, a great way to start the evening with a rosy glow.

White hot FAT bastard Chardonnay has smooth vanilla notes, and a rich, full body. Va-voom!

It doesn’t get juicier than this: blackberries, cherries and plum flavors abound in our tempting Merlot.

All those cards and flowers, can’t be wrong! Selecting a classic red, with our Cabernet is a sure way to win their heart!

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Cheers,

Fb

Hello and Happy New Year! As 2009 kicks-off, we sincerely hope that this year will bring great things and encourage you to find ways to Live Large, without breaking the bank! One of those ways is to celebrate great friends by having them over for a pot luck dinner. It’s a fun way to learn who makes the best hot-dish, or salad while saving money and experiencing the thrill of going out for dinner with friends!

Another way to Live Large is to enjoy the wine that has been shared at tables across the U.S. for over 10 years, and still offers fantastic quality at a great value! That’s right, FAT bastard wines have been a favorite across the Nation for eleven years now, and we’re looking forward to continuing that tradition for many more years to come.

Here’s wishing you a happy, healthy and LARGE 2009!

Cheers,
Fb