For deep red jelly, use ruby port or robust red wine. For a soft rose-colored jelly, choose a fruity ros?such as Grenache Ros? If using white wines, use those with a faintly sweet or fruity flavor, such as Gewrztraminer. Berry or other fruit wines may also be used.

For gift giving, ladle sparkling, jewel-colored jellies into hot, sterilized, inexpensive wine glasses, then seal with paraffin.

2 cups wine
3 cups granulated sugar
1 (3 ounce) pouch liquid fruit pectin

Mix wine and sugar in top of double boiler over rapidly boiling water. Cook, stirring constantly, about 3 minutes or until sugar is completely dissolved. Remove double boiler from heat, but let jelly remain over hot water. At once stir in liquid pectin and mix well. Skim off foam with a metal spoon. Quickly ladle into hot, sterilized jars or glasses, leaving 1/2-inch headspace; seal. If using wine glasses, place a metal spoon in each hot glass before pouring in hot jelly to keep glass from breaking. Seal with a thin layer of paraffin.

Yields about 4 half pints.