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.

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

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.