Wine confections outside the glass

While cooking with wine is commonplace, wine pairings take on a whole new meaning when combined to create delicious after-dinner confections.

Summer is the perfect season for ice cream, but with Mercer's Wine Ice Cream you'll be screaming for ice cream all year long.

Keep in mind, you do need to be over 21 to purchase this ice cream as it does retain its alcohol content. I had a chance to taste the six original flavors a little over a year ago.

The Chocolate Cabernet is perfection. The chocolate highlighted the wine and both flavors sang. The Cherry Merlot is a harmonious, palate-pleasing flavor.

The chocolate in the Chocolate Cabernet is high quality — chocoholics know there's nothing worse than cheap chocolate — and the cherries in the Cherry Merlot are plump and juicy.

The Port Ice Cream is a lovely spring lavender color and the cream complements the port wine.

I also wholeheartedly enjoyed the fresh and springy taste of Red Raspberry Chardonnay. The Peach White Zinfandel highlights succulent peaches. The Riesling, was lovely, but a bit subtle.

The 100% female-owned company in Boonville, N.Y., has been busy creating new exciting flavors. Recently, I had the opportunity to try their four new releases.

Lemon Sparkling combines prosecco with, of course, lemon ice cream. Strawberry Sparkling combines a sweet champagne with ribbons of strawberries.

Spice combines mulled wine with cinnamon, nutmeg and clove. It was strongly reminiscent of ginger bread.

Shiraz, my new favorite ice cream, retains the unmistakable rich smokiness of Shiraz and enhances it with bite-size, dark cholate and raspberry filled cups.

I was introduced to another wonderful expression of wine outside the glass this year in the form of wine-infused French macarons.

Created by Long Island business partners Jen and Jay, these melt-in-your-mouth creations from End of the Line are all airy lightness and wine deliciousness. Flavors are chocolate merlot, rose and sauvignon blanc.

The macarons are just one part of Jen and Jay's gluten-free bakery business. They are always dreaming up new recipes and according to their website, are glad to work on their customers' favorite custom flavors.

Linda Delmonico Prussen is a Long Island-based award-winning journalist passionate about all things wine.