Posts Written ByLenn Thompson

From the Vine: Amazing Experience at Lenz Winery

This past weekend, I had three stories to write for Dan’s Papers, one on Long Island winery weddings, a profile on a local winemaker and a story on Long Island bubbly. (I’ll post final versions of the stories either today or tomorrow once they are approved). On our last stop for the bubbly story, we went to Lenz Winery…and what an amazing experience. I printed up some quick business cards Saturday morning, just so I had something to hand over to tasting room staff as I tasted the sparklers. Well, when we got at Lenz and I talked to the…

Do You Hate Chardonnay?

“I don’t like Chardonnay.” I hear this all the time when I talk to friends, family and even strangers on the street about wine. I’ve even said it to myself as I choked down a heavy, buttery, oak-filled chard…usually hailing from California. These wines are difficult to pair well with food and, unless you enjoy the flavor of American, French or some other region’s oak trees, it’s no wonder you don’t like them. Fact is, you’ve probably never really tasted this most noble of all white wine grapes. Through barrel fermentation and excessive aging in new oak, many wine makers…

Over a Barrel…

Why on earth do I have a picture of a wine barrel posted on the site today? It’s because I’m a new soon-to-be regular wine columnist for Dan’s Papers! Still not clear why the barrel is here? That’s because the name for my column is “Over a Barrel…with Lenn Thompson” Pretty cool huh? It may not appear for another couple of weeks, but everything seems to be in place and in motion for it to happen. I’ll probably write my first submission this weekend! Just want to mention the women that are making it all possible as well… First…to Susan,…

Top New York Wine From Hudson Valley Winery Made Right Here In Mattituck

By defeating 635 other wines from across New York State, Rivendell Winery’s 2003 Dry Riesling captured the Governor’s Cup at the 19th annual New York Wine and Food Classic this summer at the Inn at East Wind in Wading River. In doing so, it earned the title “New York’s Best Wine.” When I heard that, I knew I needed some time in New Paltz for a little R&R – Rivendell and Riesling. And, a couple weeks later, I got my chance. As my future wife and I drove down the New York State Thruway, heading back to the Island after…

WBW #2 — Spanish Reds (Hosted by Vinography)

Alright all you wine lovers out there…Wine Blogging Wednesday #2 is coming October 6th. Alder over at Vinography has graciously agreed to host the event, centered around Spanish Reds. Luckily I’ve already got a couple to choose from…Nena spent ten days in Spain in July…and brought me back all kinds of vino! Alder has a great site chock full of great wine reviews and information. So…head on over to Vinography to find out more about WBW2!

World Wide Wine Blogging Wednesday #2 Announcement Coming Soon

I’m not going to spoil the surprise of who is going to host the 2nd installment of World Wide Wine Blogging Day, but, I’ll tell you that it will be revealed soon (probably by the end of the day.) The new host raised an excellent issue…and after much consideration, I’ve agreed that we should and will rename the event to Wine Blogging Wednesday…or WBW for all you acronym fans out there. Stay tuned…the next episode of WBW promises to be bigger and better than the first!

Merlot With a Mission — Lieb Family Cellars Produces Wine to Commemorate 9/11

Lieb Family Cellars has teamed up with September’s Mission – a nonprofit foundation that funds educational and cultural programs in remembrance of the victims of 9/11 – to help the many families affected by the tragedy. To commemorate the three-year anniversary of 9/11, the Mattituck winery has produced 6,300 bottles of a special 2002 Merlot, which is available at its tasting room for $9.11 and is also available for resale to wine shops and restaurants in New York State. By donating 91.1 cents from each bottle sold to September’s Mission, winery owners Mark and Kathy Lieb hope to raise close…

World Wide Wine Blogging Wednesday — Episode 1

Ladies and gentlemen…after a month or so of promoting World Wide Wine Blogging Wednesday (WWWBW), it’s finally here! I’m hopefully that we’ll have a great turnout for the theme of inexpensive New World Merlot that is not from the United States and costs $15 or less! As the vinter of this new blogging event, I felt a certain pressure to come up with a spectacular example. And, while my wine was above average, I wouldn’t characterize it as spectacular. My wine was Trumpeters Merlot 2003 from Bodega La Rural, Argentina. I picked this one up on one of my always-fun…