Wine Shop Opens in Stony Brook Village Center

A new wine store has just opened in the , bringing a new element to the quaint center of shops and eateries.

Lakeside Emotions Wine Boutique opened on May 28, and many of the shelves are still empty as owner Christophe lhopitault is waiting for shipments to come in.

Though, the empty slots also have to do with the owner's pickiness when it comes to wine.

"I'm waiting for the right ones," he said.

Ihopitault said he wants his selection to include great wines that are ready to drink and do not need extensive ageing.

"People buy a Bordeaux, they want to drink it tonight," he said, saying he stays away from wines that are overly tannic and need more age in the bottle to soften.

Ihopitault breaks his store selection by grapes, rather than wine regions, and features a separate section in the back of the store for high-end wines. Wines include 2010 roses, Washington state wines and even Austrian whites.

The store, which is located next to the children's boutique, also features a tasting area with leather couches and wine journals, and a chiller storing up to seven wines that he has available for tasting every day. They also sell wood from used wine barrels for use in grills and smokers.

As for local wines, Ihopitault said he plans to carry them.

"But they have to be good," he said.

Then there's the possibility of free wine. At the check-out, customers get to choose a number and spin a roulette wheel. If the number is hit, the order is free.

"I had a guy walk away with a free case," Ihopitault said.

Stay tuned for more coverage of the new shop.