 |
|
|
Features | Our Cuisine | Glossary to Food | Guest Book | St. John | Employment | Press |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
| new york state wine / “European latitude, New World attitude.” | |
|
|
|
|
It’s a long way from the famous wine producing regions in France to the vineyards of New York’s Wine Country. You would never expect the two would ever meet, yet they both share a similar global address. Located in the northeast corner of the United States, New York Wine Country is situated on similar latitude as Europe’s most prized vineyards. New York State could be next on the radar for producing premium food friendly wines. Yes great wine in the Empire State. Here’s a little known fact, Manhattan was the first place in New York State to plant grapes for wine-making. Dutch settlers brought vinifera grape stock from Europe back in the mid 1600’s. Although there are no official wine producing vineyards in New York City, over 300 winery thrive in New York State. During our annual fall hiatus in |
|
|
New York City we had the opportunity to explore some of New York’s wine country. It was my first time using a GPS system and it made life on the road sweet. We took off in mid October; the 2008 fall foliage was in full bloom and looking beautifully surreal against the perfect blue-screen like autumn sky. We’ve always enjoyed wines made in New York: they are very food friendly and yes being from NY. Rose and I are partial. New York’s Wine Country positioning statement is: “European latitude, New World attitude.” Nice tagline, but is it wise to go up against the industry’s champs? Our main stop was to the New York Wine & Culinary Center. It’s a new multimillion dollar facility devoted to our favorite subject of wine and food; And understandably the wines and foods they |
 |
|
showcase are made in New York. The Center is located on the northern shore of beautiful Canadaigua Lake. The New York Wine & Culinary Center is an extraordinary 20,000 square feet Great House, with nice attention to details that’s consistent with the overall “local” theme. Inside, high ceilings, large rooms, big windows and native apple wood flooring and woodworking created a nice warm ambiance. The themed abstract paintings by local artists immediately denotes the Center current stop on the timeline as the explorative period of wine with food. Nice collection of old New York style farm relics and antiques. The Center includes a fully equipped workshop style commercial kitchen which can be rented out for special private occasion; we witnessed a Corporate event being hosted by the Center’s Executive chef. (Which explains the lack luster meal we had for lunch); there were well appointed meeting rooms, and a museum style exhibit devoted to wine making and agricultural science in New York. |
|
|
Their are picture perfect views of the mirror lake throughout the building. The “bar” is a lounge and wine shop. There you are surrounded by walls built form locally quarried stones of contrasting color, size and texture. A fireplace adds a nice, cozy, comforting effect to the large space. The fall foliage is visible form the crystal clear window panes. The bar features several tasting flights of New York wines. We had every flight. The staff is committed to New York wines and their knowledge and enthusiasm made for a nice, informative visit. We had lunch at their restaurant. The menu was well composed and offered New York wine paring options for each course. We started with the stuffed baked local oysters and New York State Charcuterie Sampler. The charcuterie was great. |
 |
|
We love the locally made liverwurst and New York State honey mustard. Our mains, organic Long Island Duck Breast and a local lamb special. My lamb dish was from the day before or more being much dehydrated and oxidized from to much refrigeration. The duck was fine; a little more skillet time on the skin side would have made it more enjoyable. New York is rich with fertile glacial soil and ideal grape-growing micro-climates. This is why New York State is home to five major wine regions which comprise nine officially recognized appellations. New York is also the third-largest wine-producing region in America with over 300 wineries. The unique micro-climates make it possible to grow more than 35 different varieties of grapes. Varietals include award-winning Rieslings, Cabernet Francs, Chardonnays, and several traditional or rather native varieties such as Catawab and Niagara. The wines range from fruity, aromatic Native American varieties, to classic European varietals, to the French-American wines. New York wine producing regions include: Long Island, Hudson River, Finger Lakes, Lake Erie, Central New York, Lake Ontario & Thousand Islands, Niagara Escarpment and Greater Niagara Region. New York Wine Country is vast, as it covers 500 miles from eastern Long Island to the state’s western border with Pennsylvania. With winery and vineyards scattered throughout. New York is considered a |
|
|
cool climate wine area, not to different from the famous European vineyards of Burgundy, Champagne and Germany. The area is blessed with natural bodies of water (lakes, rivers and ocean) that act as air conditioning, i.e., regulating the temperature—cooling in the summer and warming in the winter. New York Varietals include: Native American (NA), French American (FA), and European (E):
|
 |
We are working hard at persuading our distributors to import some of the wines. If they wont we will. For more info on New York wine visit: Canandaigua Wine Trail; or New York Wine & Culinary Center |
|
|
|
|
|
by Prince Adams © |
|
|
|
|
|
TROPICAL AMBIANCE / AUTHENTIC FLAVORS / COOL
LIBATIONS |
|