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Wine Travel: New York's Napa

Okay, it's not Napa, but there are some great finds in New York's Finger Lakes wine country. We'll be drinking it all in this week, and mapping our favorites.

Any trip to the Finger Lakes--at least any trip revolving around food and wine--should start with a visit to the New York Wine and Culinary Center in Canandaigua, New York. The two-story visitors center is way more fun than "visitors center" makes it sound thanks to casual wine tastings, wine pairing and cooking classes and a stellar cafe serving up dishes made with local, organic products.

The tasting room, as nice as it is, doesn't deliver a lot of value. Wine flights lack focus and are overpriced. You're likely to end up convincing yourself that New York wine isn't worth the trouble. The Taste of New York lounge upstairs is the place to go for drinks.

Outside on a deck overlooking Canandaigua Lake or in the dining room, the wine list in the lounge reps the best New York has to offer. Finger Lakes wines are prominent, but Long Island's best make appearances, too. Paired with a charcuterie plate or cheese board, a Dr. Frank Riesling or Bedell Cellars Merlot will make you forget all about over-hyped California wines.

Related Stories:
· NY Wine and Culinary Center [Official Site]
· Upstate NY Travel Map [Jaunted]
· Wine Travel coverage [Jaunted]