Wine and Dine
A Cook’s Tour and a Garden of Grapes
By HOLLY HOWELL

Warning: There is no need to read any further unless you are an avid lover of food and wine. Okay.  Now proceed slowly, read carefully, and prepare for your next great road trip.

The ultimate food-and-wine destination is closer to you than you think. As a matter of fact, it sits in the heart of New York and just happens to house some of the most delectable treasures this state has to offer. It is called The New YorkWine and Culinary Center.

 The Center (NYWCC) is in the town of Canandaigua, on the north end of beautiful Canandaigua Lake in the Finger Lakes region. We are talking major wine country here. Not to mention, the land of the bountiful harvest.

Thousands of people have visited the center since it opened in June 2006. Its mission is “to engage, excite and inspire the people of New York State and the world in a celebration of New York wine and food.” For Food Network addicts (like me), the center’s facilities are larger than life and here are just a few of the fun and engaging activities you’ll find when you visit.

The Hands-On Kitchen classroom is a culinary dream come true, with state-of-the-art equipment and fifteen video monitors throughout. The classes will excite beginners and accomplished chefs alike.  The center’s expert staff will guide you through technique classes such as knife skills, sautéing, bread-baking, patisserie, stocks and soups, braising, roasting, and even pumpkin carving.  If you want a little of everything, sign up for the Techniques of Fine Cooking (Parts 1 and 2), which will send you away feeling like your own culinary network star. 

Don’t forget that it’s apple season. There may still be tickets left for The Big Apple (Cooking and Baking with Apples the New York Way). Or what about Sensational Fall Salads, Baking with Squash and Pumpkins, Baking with Cranberries, and Thanksgiving Pies? Or Oktoberfest, which includes some yummy New York microbrews? The list goes on and on. There are classes specifically geared towards “couples cooking,” something sure to add a little spice to your romance.  The kids will find activities that include pasta-mania and holiday cookies.

In the center’s Educational Theater, the adventure continues. This beautiful amphitheater is sponsored by Wine Spectator magazine, and is complete with the best audio and visual technology. You can sign up for cooking demonstrations, wine tastings, wine-and-chocolate pairings, wine-and-cheese pairings, and beer-and-food pairings. Did I mention the seats are so comfortable, you may not want to leave?

You like food and wine but you’re more interested in consuming it than making it. No problem. Head upstairs to the Taste of New York restaurant where you’ll be treated to a diverse menu of specialties, all made with some of New York’s finest ingredients. Each selection is listed with its perfect wine-and-beer pairing. With so much to choose from, you’ll need to come back again and again.

If you think that’s enough to keep you busy, we’ve hardly scratched the surface. The Wine Tasting Room is a one-stop shop for wines from Long Island to the Hudson River to the Finger Lakes. There is always something new here to discover and plenty of wines to choose from while you are learning more about the wide diversity of New York flavors.

The Private Dining Room is class act and provides the perfect ambiance for a special dining event. It is available for small groups, and is often used for wine maker dinners. The Exhibit Hall is a constant reminder of New York State’s rich history, with video and interactive photo displays that change seasonally. The Culinary Boutique, where you’ll find New York foods, memorabilia, gifts, cookbooks, wine accessories, and much more, is one of my favorite stops. Stock up on the best culinary tools and equipment, which are often the same products you may have used in the Hands-On Kitchen.

All of this is a stone’s throw from gorgeous Canandaigua Lake. Just peak out the window and you’ll see it glistening nearby. From the second-floor balcony, you’ll look over the stunning New York Garden, an educational display that features an array of agricultural plantings from around the state. Grapevines, apple trees, herbs, corn, squash, beans, and lots of color, color, color. 

The NYWCC is the brainchild of four New York-based organizations: Constellation Brands, the largest wine company in the world; Wegmans Food Markets; Rochester Institute of Technology, known for its School of Hospitality and Service Management; and The New York Wine and Grape Foundation, which is dedicated to promoting the state’s wine and grape industry. Nice job y’all.

For more information, check out the Web site at www.nywcc.com. You can even take virtual tours of each room. But better yet, pack up and head to breathtaking New York state during the foliage-infested fall. And don’t forget to bring your camera.

A certified sommelier, Holly Howell teaches wine and food classes for Casa Larga Vineyards, Rochester Institute of Technology, and her parents’ cooking school “The Seasonal Kitchen” in Mendon, N.Y.  She also writes about wine and food for The Rochester Democrat Chronicle. You can contact her at wineanddine@mountainhomemag.com.