The Finger Lakes are home to close to 70 wineries -- and a newly opened boutique that specializes in "sour wine."
F. Oliver's, in downtown Canandaigua, is a tasting and shopping destination with just two things in stock: fine olive oils (and other specialty oils) and balsamic vinegars.
The word vinegar comes from the French vin (wine) and aigre (sour). But the vinegars at F. Oliver's are a far cry from the supermarket cider and wine vinegars (can you say tart and acidic?) most of us have in our pantries -- and an especially far cry from distilled white vinegar. Leave that for cleaning, not cooking.
My tasting, similar to a wine tasting, began in the back of the store, between rows of stainless steel vessels holding flavor-infused white balsamic vinegars with names like Blushing Peach, Farmstand Strawberry, Sunny Pineapple and Summer Blueberry. An associate asked what fruit flavors tend to appeal to my taste buds and poured small tastes of various vinegars into tiny plastic cups.
I found them all, including the traditional dark balsamic vinegars aged for 12 years in oak barrels, to be bright and fresh-tasting, with just a hint of tartness. I was surprised by how delicate, sunny and smooth -- almost drinkable -- the fruit vinegars are. Tasting some of them -- like the Blushing Peach and Raspberry Treat -- is like having a party in your mouth.
The tasting proceeded to a section of the store holding vats of flavored extra virgin olive oils. We began with some of the lighter flavors (Fresh Bright Basil, Fresh Pressed Meyer Lemon), continued with a tasting of several single varietal olive oils (made using one particular type of olive) and concluded with the specialty oils, including Roasted French Walnut Oil and Earthy Porcini.
The associate swirled samples of oil and vinegar together -- fig vinegar and EVOO, walnut oil and strawberry vinegar -- to highlight the many wonderful flavor combinations and give an idea of what possible salad dressing duos would taste like.
Most of the oils and all of the vinegars at F. Oliver's are imported. They're stored in tanks and bottled on site.
I walked in to the shop not knowing much about vinegar and came away with a better understanding of oils and vinegars as cooking ingredients -- and a bottle each of Persian Lime EVOO and Blushing Peach balsamic vinegar ($14.95 each). The staff is friendly and helpful without being pushy, and purchases are packaged beautifully.
The most I've done with so far with my fruit-forward oil and vinegar is to make a light and refreshing vinaigrette dressing for a salad of romaine, baby greens, rainbow peppers, tomato and avocado. I'm looking forward to drizzling the lime oil on grilled fish, like salmon.
F. Oliver's is at 129 S. Main St., Canandaigua, a few doors away, I couldn't help but notice, from a restaurant that serves crepes (Simply Crepes). Store hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and noon to 4 p.m. Sunday.
Bring your imagination (and your wallet!).
This place looks great I cannot wait to check it out
Posted by: Patrick | 11/18/2011 at 12:06 PM
You continue to provide places to play with my girlfriends! Thanks, Margaret. Love your blog.
Posted by: Nancy Fasoldt | 07/21/2010 at 02:24 PM