Truffles Newsletter

Have a question about wine? “Ask Marisa” 

Why Decant?  Question: Marisa, I’m embarrassed to say I don’t really understand why people do this. Can you enlighten me? Thanks,  Bob S., Seven Hills  Marisa: The excitement felt when uncorking a red wine that’s been on the shelf for a long time, years - perhaps decades - is incredibly exciting if you're an enophile like myself!  Having a wine that is perfectly stored and aged to bring out the best of the liquid is quite the treat.  Once the cork is removed, the long-awaited moment has finally arrived - time to taste.  Or is it?    Many like to decant their red wines to let it "breathe" prior...

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Behind the Counter: Emily and Lucy, Kitchen/Operations Associates  

This month Truffles caught up with Emily and Lucy who are sisters and who both work at Sweet Designs. Emily is in her second year at Heidelberg College in Tiffin, OH and Lucy is completing her senior year at Lakewood High.   Truffles: So how did you come to work at Sweet Designs? Emily: I live right down the street and when I was really little my mom brought us along and Ines was always so nice to us, she would give us a hug and nonpareils. We would joke about me working here when I got older and so when I...

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Have a question about wine? “Ask Marisa” 

Marisa Sergi, Chief Growth Officer, L’uva Bella Winery  Question:  I’m visiting my girlfriend’s parents for the first time next month.  We’re going out to dinner at an upscale restaurant they like. I’m afraid they’ll hand me the wine list at dinner and ask me to choose.  I don’t have a clue. What would you suggest? JW, Lakewood.  Marisa: The wine list can certainly be intimidating, but don't let the tens of pages stress you out. The list will probably be broken into several sections - depending on the restaurant.  Simple wine lists are often organized in three sections: bubbles, reds,...

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Behind the Counter: Nelli Guyduy, Kitchen/Operations Associate 

Truffles:  Tell us about your job.   Nelli:  I do all kinds of things here, and I really like that I get to do so many different things. Most of the time I’m in the kitchen making candy. I run it through the machines, and I often help out new people and I get to train them.  Truffles: Which products do you like to make?  Nelli:  I really enjoy making the chocolate bombs – they’re fun to put together and every bomb is different.  They take a little practice to get the hang of. Once they’re done, we decorate them. Lots...

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Behind the Counter: SD’s “Golden Girls” - BJ, Nancy and Michelle

  This month we’d like to recognize three extra-special Sweet Designs volunteers whose considerable skills and dedication helped us get through this year’s holiday crunch period in style. Their work ethic, sense of humor and flexibility in the kitchen and in working directly with customers were awesome – a tip of the hat to each of them.  The “Golden Girls” brought joy to their work colleagues and we hope to you, our customers. Let’s learn a bit more about them.  Truffles:  What’s been the biggest surprise for you at Sweet Designs?  BJ:  I was amazed to see what the whole...

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