12 glassfuls for Christmas

(written for the Los Altos Town Crier)

Partridges in pear trees and all those lords a-leaping don’t really make it onto Christmas wish lists these days. The idea behind the song “The Twelve Days of Christmas” is phenomenally festive, though, and served as great inspiration for a list of 12 drink-related treats to get you happily through the holiday season.

In compiling my list, I had the blissful fortune to recruit help from local cookbook author and blogger Erin Gleeson and Laurie Lindrup, director of business development and senior assistant operations manager at Beltramo’s Wines and Spirits, for wine recommendations.

Gleeson’s book, “The Forest Feast: Simple Vegetarian Recipes from My Cabin in the Woods” (Stewart, Tabori and Chang, 2014), is full of her photography and watercolor paintings, making it a feast for the eyes. Her straightforward recipes are ideal for entertaining.

Visiting Beltramo’s in Menlo Park this time of year is nearly required holiday preparation for me. The store is my one-stop shop for all things fizzy and fermented – every bottle or brew mentioned is available at Beltramo’s.

For the rest of this really fun -- and useful -- article, head over to the Los Altos Town Crier...

photo courtesy of erin gleeson