Well-dressed wine

Well-dressed wine
Wine bottles go glam with elegant, Chinese-patterned bags in vivid colors (red, green, gold, black, silver and pink) and embroidered designs of dragon-flies and butterflies. A matching band with tassel completes the look. Each bag costs $8 at Bin 36 in Chicago and Lincolnshire, Ill. To order by mail, call (312) 755-9463.
A seamless solution
Remember when you had to unfold refrigerated pie crusts and press together those pesky seams? What a chore that was. Now, Pillsbury has taken away that task. Pillsbury unveils a new version of refrigerated pie crust (a superhero of a convenience product) that you just unroll instead of unfolding. A 15-ounce package contains two crusts for 9-inch pies for about $2.79. The crust also comes in new rectangular packaging that the company says more easily fit in refrigerators and freezers. Look for the crusts in the refrigerator section of most grocery stores.
Designer chocolate, outlet price
When Chicago Tribune testers sampled Santander Colombian Single Origin Chocolates at a trade show earlier this year, they were impressed with the intense flavor of these bars from South America. They spotted the candies during a visit to Home
Economist in Chicago, and the price -- $1.90 per 2.47-ounce bar -- is less than many similar "designer" chocolates. Choose from 36 percent cacao milk chocolate, 53 percent cacao semi-dark, or 65 percent and 70 percent dark chocolate. By mail, call (800) 548-6882 or go online to gdh-trading.com.
Pears that sizzle
Mostarda Montovana di Pere -- pear "mustard," a chutney like condiment -- from Mantova, Italy, dazzled CT tasters for several reasons: the slinky candied pear slices have a great if unusual texture, and their fruity-sweet flavor gets bolstered with the heat from mustard essence.
It would be wonderful on a bread and cheese platter, or paired with beef or ham for a fancy sandwich. A 7.85-ounce jar costs $12 at specialty grocers.
Stumped by herbs?
Are you unsure how best to use herbs? Here are a couple of tips from the Richland County Master Gardeners:
UHerbs should be cut in the morning after the dew has evaporated and then placed in water for use later the same day. You also may cut them just before using them.
UUse very sharp knives when chopping herbs to bring out the most fragrance and flavor.