Top 10 Tastes

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Ontario County, located in the heart of upstate New York's scenic Finger Lakes Region, has a wide variety of taste delights. Quick bites to gourmet sit-down restaurants…it's all here for you to enjoy. Discover it all for the "fun of it all" in Ontario County. You'll be amazed at the variety of festival foods - ever have a Sauerkraut Chocolate Cake? - fresh from the farm to the table - have you ever tasted a just picked strawberry? - and regional cuisine that our area has to offer. You won't want to miss out on tasting a Finger Lakes wine - try a flight of wines at the New York Wine and Culinary Center. What better way to get a quick education on the tastes of the Finger Lakes?

Here then, is our list of Top 10 Tastes you won't want to miss:

1. Taste Grape Pie - One of the most talked-about desserts in the Finger Lakes Region is Grape Pie. There are three ways to enjoy this treat: pick some native Finger Lakes grapes and make your own; buy a ready-made jar of grape pie filling at a local farm market; or plan a fall visit to the village of Naples where you'll find authentic Grape Pies at roadside grape stands and local restaurants.



2. Sample Finger Lakes Wine - Some of the world's finest wines are produced in the Finger Lakes Region. Local favorites include Pinot Noir and Merlot, however, area winemakers are internationally recognized for their white wines such as Riesling and Traminette. Visit wineries along the Canandaigua Wine Trail for a sampling.



3. Naples Valley Mustards - Naples Valley Brand Products are made from the finest ingredients and with homemade care. Their products include mustards, garlic specialties, marinated garlic, dipping oils, jams, and out-of-this-world-stuffed olives.



4. Decadent Dippers - Angelic Gourmet in Naples, NY is dedicated to creating handmade confections by using the finest chocolates and sumptuous toppings. Don't miss the Decadent Dippers, the world's best dressed pretzels. These delicious Dippers are found in stores throughout the area - look in Sweet Expressions, in Canandaigua.



5. Mountain Rise Granola - This great tasting chunky organic granola was made by Mountain Rise Organics originally as a gift but has grown in popularity, and has even been featured on the Food Network's Food Finds program. It is, as always, homemade and packaged on a certified organic farm in Naples, N.Y. For each batch baked, organic grains and fresh organic eggs are used. This USDA certified organic farm also offers herbs, produce, transplants and eggs.



6. Blue Whales at the Boat House - In the warmer months, The Boat House at Thendara is the place to enjoy a one-of-a-kind experience in casual dining - right on the lake! The Boat House - the original boathouse Senator Raines built for his boat - is "the spot" on the lake for this unique drink - the Blue Whale. Arrive by boat if you wish, and take advantage of their many boat slips. You may never have to set foot on land!



7. Fresh Squeezed Juices - A 500 acre orchard in the heart of the Finger Lakes, Red Jacket Orchards offers a choice selection of delicious orchard fresh fruits and fresh 100% fruit juices. Rather than rob juice of its true flavor by adding concentrates, whole fruits are pressed in small batches to produce an array of distinctive, not from concentrate, full-flavor blends. Don't miss their award winning Fuji Apple Juice or the Healthy Purple - available at their juice bar.



8. Rainbow Trout - You don't have to be an avid sportsman to enjoy the fully-stocked waters of the Finger Lakes region. Try a Rainbow Trout cooked on the grill.



9. Farm Fresh Pickings - Strawberries, sweet corn, blueberries, apples, apricots, tomatoes and of course, grapes! Try the concords.



10. Maple Products - Every March the trusty Sugar Maple tree (those same trees that give us spectacular displays of color every autumn) begins the process that results in maple syrup. Want to see how it’s done? Want to sample some of the first syrup of the season? Bring the whole family to visit one of Ontario County’s maple producers during March.

For more information on any of these suggested products, please call 1-877-FUN-IN-NY for more details.