Wineries don’t have to take the time and trouble to pay attention to every detail from how to grow the grapes to how to mix varietals–but these do, and it shows. Premium!

Sonoma

Imagery Winery - Commissions original art for each new label—displayed at the onsite gallery—and makes eclectic blends from biodynamically grown grapes. (+1.800.989.8890; www.imagerywinery.com)

Porter Creek - Father and son operation where you can taste the hand-made attention to detail. Teeny, tiny, hard-to-get wines (+1 707 433 6321; www.portercreekvineyards.com).

Gary Farrell Winery - Uncompromising meticulousness makes their award-winning Pinot Noir. (+1 707 473 2900; www.garyfarrellwines.com).

Napa

Staglin Family Vineyard – Limited-production winery whose Cabernet Sauvignons regularly rate in the 90s. Also raises millions at its annual music festival for mental health. (+1 707.944.0477; www.staglinfamily.com)

Turnbull Wine Cellars – Estate-grown, so the winemaker’s loving care shows in the premium ‘Black Label’ blends. (+1 800 887 6285 extension 18; www.turnbullwines.com)

Far Niente – Sited on a restored pre-Prohibition winery, focuses exclusively on premium Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon. www.farniente.com

Laudree
Paris, London, Geneva, expanding…

If you live in Europe, you undoubtedly have popped one of their colorful macaroons in your bouche. Laudree’s sensational macaroons are baked from the finest organic ingredients and come in over 20 delicious flavours, including pistachio, rose petal and chocolate. New flavours emerge seasonally. Luckily, in most locations, this famous patisserie is open early hours of the morning to cater for the many fans who have a sudden urge for a delicious scoop of ice-cream or a mouthwatering slice of tarte-tatin in the middle of the night. The first London location at Harrods is simply gorgeous - one of my favorite spots for tea!

www.laduree.fr
commercial@laduree.com
+33 1 53 75 33 94

Gearharts Fine Chocolates
Charlottesville, Virginia

BUT… these chocys are made with a blend of the finest criolla cacao with local sweet cream and pure butter. This is topped with the best quality fruits, nuts, herbs, teas, spices and liquors. Nothing fattening about em’.

info@gearhartschocolates.com
www.gearhartschocolates.com
+1 434 972 9100

Fru Fru
London, UK

This year those in the know are sending boxes of cupcakes. And Fru Fru make some of the most yummy and pretty in the business. They come in chocolate and vanilla flavors with lashings of chocolate ganache or buttercream frosting. Get them personalised for an extra special touch. Why order boring blooms from far flung climes when you can have cute cupcakes baked fresh every day in London? Go on make ‘em break Lent… Delivery London-wide.

www.frufru.co.uk
info@frufru.co.uk
+44 7974 101 818

Fran’s Chocolates
USA

This online store sells some of the most divine candy Rebecca and Larry Moset (foodie friends) ever tasted. Fran’s truffles are delish - but I hear her Gray and Smoked Salt Caramels are completely irresistible . These award-winning yummie are dipped in 56% dark chocolate and sprinkled with sea salt from the Brittany coast… Treat a sweet-toothed friend or yourself… Delivery available US-wide.

www.franschocolates.com
orders@franschocolates.com
+1 800 422 3726

Boutique Michel Cluizel, 1°
Pristine little corner shop that deserves its fame. Cluizel’s base chocolate is a blend from nine different sources and his repertoire includes the vanilla-drenched Bahia, the basil-tinged San Yago, and many more yummy concotions…
201 rue Saint-Honoré, 75001 Paris | www.cluizel.com | +33 1 47 53 74 40

Patisserie Gerard Mulot, 6°
Have a light lunch and head here in St Germain… you’ll thank me. Possibly the best macaroons in Paris. Think: perfectly crisp on the outside, heavenly creamy on the inside. So many flavors, so many colours, too little stomach space… If Marie Antoinette lived in the 21st century she would definitely eat her cake here. Truly special.
76 rue de Seine, 75006 Paris | www.gerard-moulot.com | +33 43 26 85 77

Pierre Herme, 6°
The place to enjoy a patisserie…or four! in Paris. World renowned and award winning French pastry chef Pierre Hermé creates spectacular seasonal desserts and pastries. Everything from the interiors of the shop to the gift boxes are designed in France, creating a quintessentially Parisian pastry boutique. Simply scrumptious!
72 rue Bonaparte, 75006 Paris | www.pierreherme.com

Le Palais des Thes
Fresh, high-quality, fair-trade, enviromentaly sustainable tea. Tea is sourced from small tea estates throughout the world: regular visits to the plantation sites enable control of all possible aspects in the production of their teas and the discovery of rare and wonderful crops. They were one of the first in this hot area - and still one of the best I think!
64 rue Vielle-du-Temple, 75003 Paris| +33 1 48 87 80 60 |
61 rue du Cherche-Midi, 75006 Paris | +33 1 42 22 03 98 |
25 rue Raymond-Losserand, 75014 Paris | +33 1 43 21 97 97 | www.palaisdesthes.com

Androuet
This rather special! cheese merchant was founded in 1909 and is renowned amongst cheese enthusiasts around the world. Cheeses are exclusively made from raw milk using traditional methods. Most of the cheeses are from France but a selection can be found from England, Spain, Belgium, and Greece. Staff are reassuringly informed and passionate.
various locations throughout Paris | www.androuet.com

Petrossian, 7°
A classic I have to include. The Petrossian brothers, Melkoum and Mouchegh, pioneered the introduction of caviar to the West in the 1920’s and have retained their position as the largest and best-known importer to France and America ever since. The company is still in the family and the caviar is still to-die-for. Also check out their smoked salmon and specialty vodkas.
18 Boulevard de Latour Maubourg, 75007 Paris | www.petrossian.fr | +33 1 44 11 32 22