Over the Barrel: Winemaker Profile — Theresa Dilworth of Comtesse Therese

(This story recently appeard in Dan’s Papers) Winemaker Profile: Theresa Dilworth of Comtesse Therese By Lenn Thompson Monday through Friday, Theresa Dilworth can be found working in Manhattan as an international tax attorney for Pfizer, Inc. But on Fridays, just hours after leaving her office, you’ll find her out on the North Fork working in the fields of Le Clos Therese Vineyards as principal owner, vineyard manager and winemaker of Comtesse Therese wines. Since 2001, Dilworth has been making award-winning wines only from grapes she’s purchased from other growers on the North Fork. That’s about to change, however. While she’ll…

Over the Barrel: Vines and Vows

(This story recently appeared in Dan’s Papers) Vines and Vows LI Wineries and Weddings Make a Perfect Pair By Lenn Thompson Weddings and wedding receptions are memorable events no matter where they take place, but these days couples on Long Island and in Manhattan looking to do something a little different just have to look east, way east, to Long Island wine country. Romantic, majestic and best enjoyed with friends and family, weddings and wineries have so much in common that it’s a natural pairing. Like Sauvignon Blanc with shellfish or Cabernet Sauvignon with a dry-aged porterhouse, they just go…

Cool New Law in New York State

If you go to a restaurant…and can’t finish your meal, you get to take the leftovers home right? Well, until now, the same coudln’t be said about a bottle of wine. It’s never happened to me, but if you go out with someone who isn’t a big drinker and order a bottle of wine, chances are you have two choices: 1. Leave an un-empty bottle at the restaurant 2. Drink the entire thing down and drive when you probably shouldn’t That’s all changed now though…and it really does benefit everyone involved. There’s a new law in New York state that…

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!