Bryan’s favorite things — that aren’t grower Champagne
Fatcork founder, Bryan Maletis, often waxes poetic on his latest grower Champagne obsessions — in emails, on social media and in person when you catch him in the wild. But, believe it or not, Bryan does enjoy other things besides the world’s best bubbles. In case you ever want (or need) to engage him in another topic, here is a list of his favorite things — that aren’t grower Champagne (though, in most cases, they’re related to it). You can take the man out of Champagne, but you can’t take the Champagne out of the man. Take it away, Bryan!
1. A drying mat that doesn’t leave watermarks
To clean my favorite wine glasses, I just give them a good rinse with hot water, scrubbing them gently with the Oxo bottle brush when needed. Then, they go upside down on this stone drying Dish Pad from Dorai to dry crystal-clear overnight.
2. An elevated travel coffee mug
I’m as fanatical about coffee as I am about wine, and the Carter Wide Mug from Fellow has the same thin-lip design I love for my wine glasses plus a ceramic lining that doesn’t leave a metallic taste.
3. Grower coffee?
The fatcork of coffee, Ilse partners directly with smallhold coffee producers around the world to source the rarest and highest quality coffee beans. Then, they roast them (minimally) in their roastery in North Canaan, CT, and send them directly to customers the very next day. Sound familiar?
Noble Rot is a UK-based magazine for serious wine geeks who, like myself, enjoy brilliantly clever, entertaining writing and reading things on paper rather than a screen. And if that describes someone you know, a subscription to Noble Rot would make the perfect gift. My favorite story of all time is “How to Choose a Date by Their Wine Choices” written by Hannah Crosbie from issue number 35. If you can get your hands on it, read it. Then, we’ll talk.
Wine & War by Don and Petie Kladstrup is a quick and fascinating read about how French winemakers resisted the Nazi occupation during WWII. Also great is the Don and Petie’s Champagne-specific book: Champagne: How the World's Most Glamorous Wine Triumphed Over War and Hard Times.
Fatcork partnered with our friends at Seamus Golf to make the world’s first and only golf club headcovers made from cork material. They really are the best. We can't promise you'll hit the ball any better, but you'll certainly look good!
I rotate through glassware faster than you can say Gimonnet-Oger, always intrigued by what's out there in the market and how it will optimize my wine-drinking experience. These universal wine glasses by Fable are my current favs. The thin-lip and medium-wide bowl with a slight taper are two of my must haves. Plus, so far, they’re proven quite durable. At least, I haven't broken one yet. Knock on wood.