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!

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!

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