CHOCOLATERIE WANDERS & THE OPERA HOUSE GOURMET 

Our “sin” this month is an amazing selection of handmade chocolates and confections by Chocolaterie Wanders.  Although relatively new to our area, Melanie and Wilhelm Wanders are part of a centuries-old German family of chocolatiers.

Since 1726 the Wanders Family has produced world-class chocolates, pastries and savories.  Their philosophy towards their craft includes making and forming everything by hand (they use no molds), using only pure cocoa butter (never lard or oils), and scouring local markets for fresh, regional ingredients and flavors.  The main focus when creating their confections is flavor. As they learned from Wilhelm’s father, Master Pastry Chef Wilhelm Wanders, "The flavors should be so clean and defined that you can immediately recognize them - even with your eyes closed.”  The result is chocolate like no other you’ve ever tasted.   

Shop Chocolaterie Wanders’ entire repertoire of delights at www.chocolateriewanders.com, or stop by the Opera House Gourmet in Old Town Manassas, VA where you can find at least ten selections each week.  Owner Jan Alten and her staff will be on hand to help you pair just the right wine with your chocolate selection.  Yes, that’s right – wine and chocolate!   As part of its broad selection of wines and ports, the Opera House Gourmet carries wines from two Virginia wineries, La Grange and Pearmund Cellars, which Chocolaterie Wanders often uses to flavor some of its confections.  In fact, we’ve placed one such treat in your box this month!  Whatever your taste, the Opera House Gourmet is sure to satisfy.  Select your chocolate by the piece or by the pound and let the Opera House Gourmet staff assist you in selecting a wine to make your treat a perfect, sinfully delicious dessert experience when you get home.  

Chocolaterie Wanders presents to you this month: 

A FOUR-PIECE BOX containing first, a baton-shaped confection they call “Forest Berry.”  Raspberry, blackberry and currants mixed into dark chocolate, coated in more dark chocolate, then garnished with roasted pistachios.  We call it “Forest Berry Good!” Second, “Port.”  A dark chocolate ganache flavored with Sandeman Founder’s Reserve Porto and decorated with hand-piped chocolate garnish.  You can’t go wrong with that! The third morsel is “Espresso” which is a dark chocolate ganache infused with “Old World Espresso” beans (from Shenandoah Joe’s in Charlottesville) with hazelnut paste, covered in dark chocolate and garnished with a Venezuelan cocoa nib. Chocolate and espresso – who doesn’t like the sound of that?! And last, but hardly least, is a “Pistachio Almond” confection, pistachio marzipan atop an almond gianduja, layered with caramelized almonds ground to a paste and mixed with milk chocolate.  The whole thing is covered in dark chocolate and garnished with caramelized almonds.  Sounds like the ultimate candy bar, doesn’t it? 

YOUR SECOND BOX contains two hand-molded marzipan fruits.  Made of solid almond paste, you will receive a little pear and a little strawberry.  You will be amazed at the artistry of these petite “fruits.” 

YOUR THIRD BOX features Wine Pate de Fruit (French-style wine jellies) – a mixture of wine with fresh fruit puree hand formed into a candy confection.  The first is pear with Pearmund Cellars’ Chardonnay, and the second is Mirabelle plum with Pearmund Cellars’ Viognier.  

You may reach Chocolaterie Wanders at 1-866-792-6337 or by e-mail at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .  Their production facility is located at 11486 Robertson Drive, Manassas, VA.  Hours are by appointment only.  To purchase products, please visit their online shop at www.chocolateriewanders.com or visit the Opera House Gourmet. 

The Opera House Gourmet is located at 9126 Center Street, Manassas, VA.  Visit their website at www.operahousegourmet.com or call them at 703-330-9636.