Black River Caviar
Who says you have to feel guilty about splurging on caviar? Black River Caviar, harvested from Siberian sturgeon that are fed all-natural, organic feed, is the first wild-raised caviar on the market. It embraces the authentic malossol method (preserved in little salt), so that heavenly flavor is even more nuanced. The Caviar is packaged in custom tins, with sizes ranging from 30 grams ($102) to 500 grams ($1575), www.blackrivercaviar.com
Paramount Caviar
Don’t let the looks of this can of tiny orbs fool you, this caviar has nothing to do with fish. Well almost. It is consciously harvested from seaweed and can be used just as you would the real thing. It has a fresh taste and crispy consistency. Vegetarians, you may now rejoice. $12.95, www.paramountcaviar.com
Organica Cookies
Santa would certainly love it if you left out Organica Deluxe’s moist ginger cookies. Baked fresh in small batches, they’re dark, rich, topped with sugar crystals and begging to be dipped into a glass of warm milk. Four-pack: $10; 12-pack: $30, www.organicadeluxe.com
AL’Olivier Vinegars
Zap some flavor into your food with these tasty fruit vinegars form France. It’s nearly impossible to choose only one, but here are some pairing ideas to help you out. Fig is wonderful drizzled on blue cheese or goat cheese. Passion Fruit can be used in a zesty summer salad dressing. Try the Raspberry with duck or on grilled pork chops. Pour Tomato on top of the steamed fish. Use Mango on an arugula salad. Espelette Pepper adds some spice to eggs. Black Currant is a natural with venison or pork. $15.99, www.alolivier.com or purchase at www.igourmet.com
Vanishing Creatures Chocolates
Make your gift truly memorable. Vanishing Creatures makes chocolates in the shapes of animals whose numbers are dwindling. The box for these chocolates turns into a birdhouse, thus eliminating all waste, with years of bird-watching enjoyment to follow. $45, www.vanishingcreatureschocolate.com
Choice Organic Tea
The ultimate stocking stuffer for discerning tea drinkers: Choice Organic Teas’ Gourmet Sampler ($3.50), featuring 13 different selections, from Northwest Blackberry to Mango Ceylon with Vanilla to Chamomile Spearmint with Bergamot. Or, upgrade to the Whole Leaf Organic Sampler ($4.75), including eight envelopes (think Lychee White, Jade Green, and Sweet Liquorice Mint) from Choice’s collection of Fair Trade-certified tea pyramids. www.choiceorganicteas.com
Teeccino Herbal Coffee
They’ve been talking about kicking their caffeine habit for years, so give them incentive with the Teeccino starter basket. It includes a convenient one-cup brewer, two 11-ounce foil bags, and trial-size packets of other flavors. Teeccino herbal coffee is roasted and grounded to brew and tastes just like a cup of Joe but made instead with healthy herbs, grains, fruits, and nuts. $49.99, www.teeccino.com
Smith Tea
Portland, Oregon-made Smith Tea is the new project of Steve Smith, founder of Stash and Tazo. Look for attractive tip-top cartons filled with fresh, exotic blends: Mao Feng Shui green harvested from Zheijiang, China; smoky Brahmin’s Choice, pairing Indian Assum with Ceylon and Chinese Keemun; and caffeine-free Meadow, marrying Egyptian chamomile with South African rooibos. $11.99, www.smithtea.com
Fetzer
Organic wines don’t have to break the bank. Mendocino, California-based Fetzer features the largest solar panel in the industry and the winery purchases 100 percent green energy. Its collection of wines, from favorites Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnary to Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, are packaged in lightweight eco-freindly glass bottles at an attractive $8.99, www.fetzer.com
J Vineyards
The J Vineyards Russian River Valley 2007 Pinot Noir might just be the winery’s best vintage yet. A lush, rich wine with aromas of violets, rose, and wild blackberry, along with the varietal’s signature strawberry and cherry essences this Pinot Noir, aged in French oak barrels for 15 months, purely expresses Sonoma’s prized wine region. $35, www.jwine.com
Paul Dolan Vineyards
Zinfandel, California’s classic grape, is ripe with jammy berries and a touch of peppery spice. Paul Dolan Vineyards’ Mendocino County/ Amador County 2006 Zinfandel, made with grapes from the Dolan family’s vineyard south of Talmage, springs from organic grapes nurtured on pesticide-free soil. $25, www.pauldolanvineyards.com
Casa Lapostolle
In 2011, Chilean wine producer Casa Lapostolle hopes to become fully certified organic. The winery has recently introduced organic and biodynamic practices, and its Carmenère Cuvée Alexandre 2007 proves they are headed in the right direction. Made from hand-harvested 100 percent single vineyard Carmenère grapes grown in Chile’s Colchagua Valley, look for subtle black pepper aromas and soft tannins. $27.99, www.casalapostolle.com
Pau Vodka
Pau is a super-smooth vodka made on Maui in glass stills, from fermented local pineapples (yet doesn’t taste like pineapple). $99.99, www.paumaui.com
Give the Gift of Baking
Pick your favorite thing to bake, wrap it up, and give it to someone who is in need, or who is too old, or who is too sick, or who is too exhausted, to be able to make it themselves. Your gift will be savored not only for the taste, but for the special care that went into it.