by Anne Clayton

Two years ago, my son Houston married Jessica Osaki in Pasadena, Calif. As a parting gift, the bride’s family presented guests with boxes of beautiful chocolates.  As mother of the groom, I was one of the last to leave and took several boxes to the room to share with my mother. We both marveled at the beauty of each piece as well as the unusual flavors.  The chocolates were handmade by chocolatiers Christian Parks and his wife Laura Koerth of Earth and Sky Confections, in Jonesborough. Like they say, there’s always a Tennessee connection! Christian’s father was a close childhood friend of Jessica’s father. Chris attended The French Pastry School in Chicago, where he met Laura.  Both worked for a nationally known chocolate company and discovered a mutual passion for hand-crafted artisan chocolates.  

I had all but forgotten the candy until Houston and Jessica gave me a deluxe gift box for my birthday. Of course everyone expected me to open them and share, but one look inside the box told me these little jewels deserved to be savored slowly and carefully.  The candies are small works of art. Many of them are exquisitely hand painted and the presentation box is ornate. Chris and Laura use only the freshest local, seasonal ingredients with no preservatives and flavors change often. Spicy peanut butter explodes with a bang and leaves you wanting more. Bananas Foster was just like the dessert I grew up with and the Fresh Mint tasted freshly picked.  Jasmine Tea is subtle and soothing and Coconut Curry is a mélange of flavors one might not expect—but it works! My absolute favorite is the Sea Salt Caramel, followed closely by the Crispy Praline and the PB&J.

Along with the box of chocolates, Chris sent samples of a product soon to be released, and as far as I’m concerned, they can't come soon enough. These addictive gems are called Maramels. They consist of the lightest homemade marshmallow sitting on a decadent square of roasted pecan caramel, enrobed in semisweet chocolate. After eating one, a moment of silence was required.  After the second one, a phone call to Chris was in order to see how to get more. To order a box for your own bad self go to earthandskyconfections.com or to the Garden Gift Shop at Cheekwood. Buy one for yourself and one to share with friends—or maybe not.  I won't tell!

Another guilty pleasure is made even closer to home.  Arrington Vineyards’ Raspberry Wine is my new favorite thing. I know you are all thinking—not so fondly, perhaps—of the fruit wines of your youth, but rest assured this is no Boones Farm or Annie Green Springs. Arrington Vineyards is owned by Kix Brooks, Fred Minderman and wine maker Kip Summers and has 12 award-winning wines under label. Their raspberry wine is made from 100 percent raspberry juice and has the lively sweet/ tart flavor of real old-fashioned raspberries.  Serve small well-chilled glasses with a dense chocolate torte or a light, white chocolate mousse flavored with hazelnut liqueur. For a light no-fat dessert, pour the wine over a scoop of lime sherbert, garnished with fresh berries and mint. Take a chilled bottle to the Steeplechase and add to champagne with a tangerine twist for the ultimate Kir Royale. For a new twist on the old-fashioned spritzer, pour well-chilled raspberry wine over ice and top with club soda, garnished with a twist of lemon peel.  Ah, summer!

To find a retailer go to arringtonvineyards.com.