This season we welcome the comforts and joy of celebration. I am so pleased to have an abundance of our favorite things to fill our shop. Stunning angels hover in splendor and jolly Santas look forward to crisp days and sugar cookies.

My newsletter this month is a feast for the eyes, sharing a sneak peek at all the goodies that await your visit. Whimsical martini ornaments by Lolita keep company with flamingos, and a must-have sock monkey is ready to keep your wine padded while you travel over the glen.

You will want to give and get our beautiful holiday essentials for the home by Grasslands and Fitz and Floyd. And as always, we stock unique gourmet food, artisan chocolates, home and holiday decor, world renowned wines and more. So shop with a friend, get inspired, drop a few hints and enjoy the season with us.
Merry Christmas, Jan

FALLING FOR A WINNER
Congratulations to Diane in Manassas for winning our $50 gift certificate in our "What I love About Fall" promotion. Diane let us know what she loves about Fall and was the lucky respondent to have her name drawn. Read highlights from the survey >

GET PERSONAL
See your name or address unique in ink. Learn more >

A CUSTOMER FAVORITE!
Voulet Antichi Giochi Piemontesi Casorzo
This fun, fizzy, sweet red wine is from the (northwest) Piedmont region of Italy. Serve this treat cold after dinner, or skip dinner and just sip it on its own. Like an elegant Lambrusco, it has no syrupy or saccharine qualities. It is made from red Malvasia, in the semi-sparkling tradition and is low in alcohol. It pairs very well with chocolate.

It is delicious, unique, and makes the perfect hostess gift. You are met with a subtle happy "pop" when opened.

WINE CLUB RECOMMENDATIONS
Forster Pechstein Riesling 2007
This exceptional German varietal has maintained its true Riesling identity. Major claims to fame are its enthralling perfume, with notes of honey, stone fruit, herb, apple and citrus, plus its incredible long life, the wines lasting for decades. more >

AUGSBURGER CHRISTKINDLMARKT GLUHWEIN
Easy for you to say. This is a delicious blend of German red wines and spices. This smooth wine is used for mulling and taking away the winter chill. Simmer it on the stovetop to create a reduction and spoon it over pork, duck or lamb.

DEFINING TASTE
Figgy Pudding
It took a song lyric from the English carol "We Wish You a Merry Christmas," to raise demand for this 15th century dessert. This must be some fantastic pudding. Figgy pudding is really more of a cake than a pudding. Some factors have hampered the expansion of the lucrative figgy pudding industry, including an interminably long cooking time, an exotic ingredients list and a cringe-inducing dependency on saturated fats for texture. It's also a tad boozy.

But if you are caroling this winter, go ahead and demand this once-a-year rich treat by belting out "Oh, bring us a figgy pudding...we won't go until we get some."

macadamia nut
I almost don't care where it came from, these are so good. But there is a happy story with a yummy ending so let's give credit where credit is due. The macadamia trees are native to Australia and were originally just ornamental. John McAdam (Macadam...), a Scottish-born chemist first cultivated the tree by taking it on a journey from Tasmania to Hawaii and, eventually, California (thank you). The nut has an extremely hard shell, so it is usually sold shelled, either roasted or raw. This is one nut that is welcome at all holiday gatherings—complementing sweet and savory dishes alike.

more on page 2 »

OUR NEXT WINE CLUB EVENT

“Wines of Value – drinking good wines at a great price”

We have two ‘seatings.’ Wine club members can bring a guest or two. Quarterly events are held for our members. These popular events fill up quickly so make sure you RSVP early. Wine Club members, please check your mail for the postcard invitation. Not a member yet? JOIN OUR WINE CLUB NOW»