Some tasty advice

Erin Ray, Gary Jacome, Diana Jacome Dutch and Kevin Gowac dressed for the season and ready to help customers with all their celebratory needs. Photo by Charles Farrow for HTNP.com

The Christmas or New Year’s menu is planned – standing rib roast, duchess potatoes and glazed carrots; or chicken cordon bleu, rice pilaf, and green beans.  But what wine to serve?

Diana Jacome Dutch at Moodus Package Store can help.

Her white wine recommendation is Ballet of Angels ($12.25/bottle) from Sharpe Hill Vineyard in Pomfret.  “It’s slightly sweet, classified as an ‘off dry,’” she said.  “It works well with a variety of foods and has the most beautiful label.”

Diana’s red wine choice, also from Connecticut, is Salmon River Red ($19.99/ bottle) from Priam Vineyard in Colchester. “This wine is soft and fruity and is very good for holiday meals,” she said.

Diana also offers this recipe for a festive Peppermint Martini:

• 1 oz. vodka

• 1 ½ oz. peppermint schnapps

• shake with ice, pour into a chilled glass, add club soda to taste and garnish with a candy cane.

Posted Dec. 24, 2009