# Fat Bastard Sauvignon Blanc (2023)

- **Producer:** Fat Bastard
- **Colour:** white
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Sauvignon Blanc
- **Region:** South West France, France
- **Style:** Classic
- **Alcohol:** 12.0%
- **Average price:** €9
- **Contains sulphites:** Yes
- **When to drink:** Now
- **Serving temperature:** 8–10 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** grapefruit, lemon, lime, gooseberry, grass, bell pepper

## About this wine

Fat Bastard is a remarkably successful, tongue-in-cheek brand created by winemaker Thierry Boudinaud and his friend Guy Anderson. The brand was born when tasting wines from barrel; Thierry proclaimed one particularly rich, round wine to be a 'fat bastard'—a British slang term of endearment for something big and bold. This Sauvignon Blanc is sourced from the Côtes de Gascogne in Southwest France, a region celebrated for its fresh, aromatic, and highly approachable white wines.

## Interesting facts

- The brand name originated when winemaker Thierry Boudinaud tasted a yeast-contact wine and exclaimed it was a 'fat bastard'.
- The Côtes de Gascogne region is famous not only for crisp white wines but also as the home of Armagnac brandy.
- The distinctive yellow hippo on the label has made this one of the most recognizable wine brands in the retail market.

## Food pairing

The high acidity and crisp, herbaceous profile of this Sauvignon Blanc make it an excellent match for fresh, tangy dishes. It cuts beautifully through the creaminess of goat cheese and complements the briny freshness of seafood. Avoid heavy, fatty meats or overly sweet desserts, which will overwhelm the wine's delicate fruit and make it taste excessively tart.

## Wine making process

The grapes are harvested in the cool early morning hours to preserve their delicate primary fruit aromas and prevent oxidation. Upon arrival at the winery, they undergo a gentle pressing followed by temperature-controlled fermentation in stainless steel tanks. The wine is kept on its fine lees for a short period to add a touch of texture and complexity before being filtered and bottled early to retain its vibrant, crisp character.