Wine With Wanda

Posh Pumpkin: Haute Halloween from La Maison du Chocolat

I must confess that receiving this beautiful Sleepy Hollow Pumpkin from La Maison du Chocolat made me clap my hands in glee like a little kid. Whimsical and elegant, this chic treat is available in luxurious dark or milk chocolate and is filled with Amandas (almonds covered in dark or milk chocolate) and Rochers Suisses (clusters of caramelized almonds covered in dark or milk chocolate). So much classier than a plastic pumpkin, don't you agree? Hurry up and get your own - the Sleepy Hollow pumpkin will be gone quicker than you can say boo. Available for just a little while at La Maison du Chocolat boutiques, the pumpkins are too fragile for shipping, but can be delivered by messenger in Manhattan. A perfect Halloween treat for fun-loving adults with discerning tastes and exceptionally good children. $65 each.

Little Luxuries: Les Anis de Flavigny

Years ago, I stumbled upon a pretty little tin of Les Anis de Flavigny candies and I've adored these delicious little treats ever since. The retro and colorful tins are absolutely chic and the price of about $3 makes them a truly affordable luxury. Whenever I pull my tin of Les Anis de Flavigny out of my purse to offer someone a candy, they always comment on the lovely packaging. And, more often than not, they want a second candy because they taste so good!

Until recently, I had no idea that these candies have been produced in the picturesque hilltop village of Flavigny-sur-Ozerain in the Burgundy region of France since 1591. In true French fashion, the recipe and technique remain unchanged and it takes 15 days to enrobe each tiny little green anise seed in layers of pure unrefined cane sugar to create perfect little white pearls full of flavor. You can't rush perfection! Anis de Flavigny candies come in seven different flavors -  mint, anise, rose, licorice, orange blossom, lemon, and violet (my favorite). The candies are 100% natural and can be found all over France.  In New York City,  I often see them in specialty shops.

Flavigny is only one-hour from Paris by train and I hear that it  is one of the most beautiful villages in France AND one of the most fragrant. The village is so picture perfect that most of the film Chocolat was filmed in Flavigny. The factory is housed in a historic Benedictine Abbey and welcomes visitors year-round. Last year 60,000 people enjoyed a sweet visit to the Anis de Flavigny factory - pretty impressive, when you consider that Flavigny has a population of 300 people!