2009 Holiday Gift Ideas

Choclatique www.choclatique.com offers the new Napa Valley California Wine Chocolates. Each hand-made confection has been paired with namesake wines of the most popular California varietals. The molds have been designed by the designer of Ferrari Motors. The Choclatique Napa Valley Wine Chocolates are available in eight varieties, including

• Late Harvest Cabernet, a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Choclatique’s 64 percent Private Reserve bitter-sweet chocolate
• Fall Vineyard Merlot, a Merlot ganache encased in 64percent Private Reserve dark chocolate
• Estate Chardonnay, an oaky Chardonnay flavor with faint aromas of apple, lemon, peach and tropical fruits with Sparkling Blanc de Chocolate
• Old Oak Barrel-Aged Port Chocolate fortified aged Port wine
• First-Crush Fume Blanc, a light, crisp Fume Blanc ganache surrounded by Choclatique’s Prestige Milk Chocolate
• Zinfandel Cuvee, a young, fruity Zinfandel ganache with white chocolate
• Pretty in Pink “Blush,” a pink chocolate ganache with flavors of ripe strawberries, juicy peaches, tart nectarines and pink grapefruit

Xan Confections www.XanConfections.com has created LadybugG Truffle Collection for the Holidays. Truffle flavors include sea salt and caramel, Irish cream, and Mexican chocolate. “These chocolates are double-sized and reminiscent of the famed Joseph Schmidt truffles that are no longer being produced.” says Tracey Downey, chocolatier and director of research and development for Xan Confections. Xan Confections accommodate a variety of palates and dietary requirements. The Saintly Sins Collection, filled with real fruit purees and agave nectar, is dairy-free, vegan, gluten-free, and low-glycemic, with only 29 calories, 1 gram of fat, and 5 grams of carbs per piece. The Jewel Collection is also gluten-free, dairy-free and vegan. Xan Confections products are available online,at Whole Foods Markets in California, Nevada, Arizona and Hawaii and at specialty stores.

Delice Chocolatier www.delicechocolates.com offers a variety of French chocolates, including a Noel collection, The confections, that are up to 73 percent criollo cacao from the Ivory Coast, have received the 2000 Salon du Chocolat in Paris for best confectionery chocolates, the 2000 and 2002, award Cordon Bleu, the 2005, Guide National du cacao for best regional chocolatier. Delice Chocolates are available online and at certain retailers in Boston, New York, New Jersey, California, Las Vegas, Phoenix, Dallas, Houston, Austin, Arizona, and Lousiana.

Navitas www.navitasnaturals.com has Organic Superfood Chocolate Kits with everything for healthy homemade gourmet chocolates. The kits are available in three varieties—Goji Berry, Cacao Nib, and Goldenberry—to create 12 organic chocolates. In addition to the kit ingredients, the only items needed to complete the easy recipe are a knife, a small bowl, a large bowl, and an ice cube tray. Each Organic Superfood Chocolate Kit contains raw: organic cacao butter, organic cacao powder, organic mesquite, organic lucuma, organic maca and the specific organic superfood featured in the chewy center of the chocolates. Navitas products are sourced directly from farmers, and are cultivated sustainably and in accordance with fair trade practices. They are available online and at Whole Foods Markets throughout the U.S. and Canada including Whole Foods Markets.

Tribeca Treats www.tribecatreats.com is a specialty chocolate shop and bakery in New York’s Tribeca neighborhood and a favorite of celebrities from Katie Couric to Zac Posin. The holiday gift baskets are shippable across the U.S. Collections include the Chocolate Lovers Basket, Large Holiday Cookie Assortment, Small Holiday Cookie Assortment, and the 8 Nights of Hanukah.

Pamela’s Products www.pamelasproducts.com based in California’s Ukiah Valley, offers dozens of gluten-free bakery products, including mixes. The company, led by founder Pamela Giusto, is celebrating its 21^st year.

Edited by Patricia D. Sherman

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