Pick This Pair Of Affordable, Earth-Friendly Wines From Argentina

Affordability, outstanding taste, and organic grapes – that combination is hard to beat when shopping for wine. When uncapping two releases from Art of Earth, we were transported back to Argentina and the delicious wines we tasted in Mendoza. They delivered that winning combination.

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Art of Earth is a collection  of wines from the finest organic vineyards making wines within classic appellations. These wines are true to their origins and winemaking traditions without the use of pesticides or herbicides.

The range includes wines from Argentina, France, Germany, Italy, and Spain. The two we sampled were the 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon and the 2022 Chardonnay, both from Mendoza.

We opened the Cabernet for a dinner of grilled steak and sauteed vegetables on the patio. This was an eye-opener, with fresh fruit flavors bursting from the glass. There were luscious notes of ripe cherries and red currants.

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This isn’t a complex wine, but it is eminently satisfying. The tannins are soft and smooth with a long finish. This is a wine meant to be consumed while young. That’s probably a good idea with organic wines in general, as their shelf lives are shorter.

Both the Cab and the Chardonnay have an SRP of $11.99. That’s an excellent value.

We opened the Chardonnay while playing some games with friends. The group wanted some wine and I poured the Chardonnay. Little did I know what would happen next.

Chardy Party with Art of Earth Chardonnay

Not only did the group like the Chardonnay, but a “ChardyParty” erupted with singing, dancing, and wine. They loved it.

This Chardonnay comes from an organic vineyard above 2,300 feet near the Andes Mountains, the snowmelt of which waters the vines. The crisp flavors are preserved by fermentation in steel tanks. There were bright notes of tropical fruits, pears, and citrus. There is a fullness thanks to malolactic fermentation.

In addition to being organic, these wines are vegan – just another reason to add them to your shopping list.

Full disclosure: These wines were received as a marketing sample.

Dry Creek Vineyard 2021 DCV Block 10 Chardonnay, Russian River Valley

You may not be familiar with Dry Creek Vineyard Chardonnay. If that’s the case, here’s what you’re missing.

Dry Creek Vineyard championed Loire Valley-style wines in Sonoma’s Dry Creek Valley. Their excellence, however, extends to Chardonnay. A prime example is the latest release of the DCV Block 10 Chardonnay.

All 185 acres of estate vineyards are certified sustainable. DCV Block 10 in Russian River Valley has an ideal microclimate for growing Chardonnay. The moderate temperature and fog from the Pacific Ocean keep the grapes protected from the harsh sun and allow the grapes to ripen evenly and slowly. The DCV Block 10 Chardonnay is crafted from just 30 rows in the northeast corner of the vineyard.

One thing  I have always appreciated about Dry Creek Vineyard is its judicious use of oak aging. They don’t cover up the flavors of the wine with excess oak. That is the case here.

The wine is 88% barrel fermented with the remainder fermenting in stainless steel. The wine undergoes malolactic fermentation for the most part (88%). Barrel aging is in French oak, 26% new.

On the nose, there is an immediate rush of tropical notes, including pineapple and some peach. On the palate, there is pear and mango mixed with some light oak. The oak contributes spicy notes without overwhelming the bright and harmonious flavors. This is a perfect Chardonnay for me, light enough to enjoy on its own or pair with a meal without bogging down with oaky, buttery notes.

This is drinking well now and can age for up to three years. This is a beautiful dinner companion or a wine for weekend entertaining. SRP is $45.

Full disclosure: This wine was received as a marketing sample.

Nysa Wines Offer A Glimpse of Willamette Valley Greatness

Dundee Hills is the epicenter of Oregon Pinot Noir. Now we know why.

In Greek mythology, Nysa is a secret land full of lush fruit trees and vineyards where young Dionysus, the god of wine was raised. The forces emanating from Mount Nysa are said to be powerful. We found ourselves falling under the spell of three new wines from Nysa – actually from Nysa Vineyard, the Willamette Valley winery in the Dundee Hills.

The family-owned operation was begun in 1990 when owner and winemaker, Michael Mega purchased a parcel of orchards high with the goal of creating a world-class Pinot Noir. The goal creating wines of complexity, concentration, and balance while using minimalistic winemaking techniques and organic farming.

The grapes are grown at 600 to 720 feet elevation. Nysa case production is under 1,000, but that may soon change as wines will soon be available outside Oregon in shops across the US in such wine-loving states as California, Texas, New York, North and South Carolina, and Illinois.

We had the opportunity to taste the 2019 Chardonnay and Pinot Noir and the 2016 Pinot Noir, all from Dundee Hills. Dundee Hills is where Oregon Pinot Noir first gained its worldwide reputation.  Early pioneers such as David Lett of Eyrie, Dick Erath, and the Sokol Blossers planted many of Oregon’s first vineyards.

To taste the Chardonnay and 2016 Pinot, we planned a special dinner, an amazing meal with Duck Breast l'Orange entrée. Duck is a perfect pairing with Pinot Noir, whose fruity notes play perfectly with the rich dark meat. I wasn't sure about Chardonnay.

The Chardonnay uses grapes from the Nysa estate block of Wente clone vines. This wine went through malolactic fermentation and then spent 10 months in neutral French oak barrels. We discovered that this Willamette Valley Chard with beautiful tropical fruit notes and a taste of honey worked wonderfully with the duck, asparagus, and mushroom risotto.   

The 2016 Nysa is an amazing Pinot. It is a blend of different vineyard blocks throughout the estate. The grapes were fermented in small lot bins before aging in French oak (25% new). Light garnet in the glass with the perfect touch of acidity, delicate layers of red fruit, dry herbs, leather, and nuanced earth tones show through. This was an ideal pairing and just an exceptional wine. 

We got a look at the younger 2019  Nysa Pinot. On the palate, there are beautiful smooth red cherries a touch of baking spices, and a touch of minerality. Tasty now, we expect this vintage to rock after another two or three years of aging.

Nysa Pinot Noir ranges from $75 to $105, and Chardonnay starts at $65, all depending on the vintage.

Full disclosure: These wines were received as marketing samples.

Livermore Valley Wine Dinner Highlights Region’s Diverse Styles

Livermore Valley wines deliver more enjoyment at gourmet food pairing event.

Winter Vino Dinner A Memorable Night

When I attended a recent International Food, Wine & Travel Writers Association webinar, it reminded me of the greatness of Livermore Valley wines. This California AVA, just about an hour east of San Francisco, has 50 wineries ranging from 100-case boutique operations to 400,000-case industry heavyweights. There are more than 30 grape varieties grown there. Be sure to check out my recent article to get the background on this historically important area.

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Following the webinar, the Livermore Valley Winegrowers Association was kind enough to send some bottles for a more wide-ranging tasting of the area’s wine. To help with this arduous task, it was time to call in reinforcements!

We decided to stage Winter Vino and wine and food pairing dinner and invited three other couples. Each couple would prepare a dish to pair with one of the wines. I must say, they outdid themselves. Special thanks to the Green Dragon for overseeing the entire food aspect of the event.

We had originally scheduled the event for Friday evening, but predictions of a winter storm and dangerous roads caused us to recalibrate and move the dinner to Sunday. The snow was melting by that time, but there was still enough for me to make a wine snowman out front with a five-liter Jeroboam bottle. Here’s a look at the dishes and the Livermore Valley wine from the soiree.

Longevity Family Winery 2020 Rosé of Deb-Ru-Veé and Charcuterie

This limited production rosé was our arrival wine. The wine is ruby pink and has fresh strawberry, apple, and citrus notes. It is 69% Grenache, 17% Syrah, and 14% Mourvèdre. Longevity is a black-owned winery founded by Phil and Debra Long. This wine is a salute to Debra, who passed away in 2019 from cancer. This wine is a favorite at the winery.

The wine is dry, but is elegant with plenty of fruit. It paired nicely with our charcuterie and mingling. Please note the salami “rose” in the photo. SRP $24.

 

Page Mill Winery 2014 Blanc de Blanc with Shrimp and Caviar

It was suggested by my friend Arthur Barham (of Merlot2Muscadine) that we begin the dinner with sabrage. If possible, I wanted to saber a sparkler from Livermore Valley. Tami Kelly, who handles PR for Livermore Wine Country, rode to the rescue and arranged for this beautiful bottle of traditional method Blanc de Blanc from Page Mill.

This is a labor-intensive wine and it gets three years of aging after the wine gets its second fermentation in the bottle. For six months the bottles are turned by hand two to three times a day as part of the process.

A couple of good strokes from my Champagne saber sent the top of the bottle sailing into the night sky. The wine is crisp with light yeasty notes. It was a dazzling start to our dinner. SRP – $75. 

Las Positas Vineyards 2020 Estate Albariño with Baltimore’s Best Crab Cakes

with Butternut Squash/Pear Soup Shooters with Pepitas

Albariño is Spain’s most famous white wine and it is gaining a strong foothold in the US as well. The Albariño from Las Positas is a beauty with green apple aromas and crisp grapefruit, pineapple, and lemon notes. This wine is aged in stainless steel with 20% being fermented in neutral barrels.

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In Spain’s Rias Baixas region, this pairs immaculately with mussels and other fresh seafood. We also found the seafood match to be golden. The Green Dragon whipped up some Baltimore-style crab cakes accompanied by a soup shooter. The soup was butternut squash and pear topped with pepitas. Just the perfect bite for this wine (although I could have used another crab cake or two!). SRP – $35.

Garré Vineyard 2019 Chardonnay Reserve with Salmon Marseille with Beurre Blanc and Julienne Vegetables

This Chardonnay from Garré is uber-limited, with just 100 cases produced. It is barrel fermented and sur lie aged in American Oak for six months. It also gets partial malolactic fermentation. The technical notes fail, though, to portray the beauty of this wine. It’s creamy with a satiny mouth feel. There are luscious notes of apple, apricot, and tropical fruit.

The pairing of poached salmon covered in a beurre blanc sauce was prepared by Diane and Gary. It was melt-in-your mouth delicious. It was hard to concentrate, however, because Arthur kept saying loudly, “I love beurre blanc!” SRP – $42.

Murrieta’s Well 2019 The Spur with Beef Short Ribs Served Over Creamy Polenta

The Spur is one of our favorite red blends. It introduced me to the flavorful possibilities of Livermore Valley wines a number of years ago. We’ve sampled a number of Murrieta’s Well wines, and they are sensational. The 2019 The Spur is made from 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Petite Sirah, 9% Merlot, 7% Malbec and 5% Petit Verdot. This is a rich-tasting wine with black cherry notes, rounded tannins, with hints of oak and baking spice.

Sharon and Bill provided the short rib dish and it was a luscious pairing with The Spur. The juice from the short ribs melded with the creaminess of the polenta creating a winner. SRP – $40.

Wood Vineyards 2018 “Big Wood” Zinfandel with Forest Mushroom Risotto with Broccoli Rabe

We didn’t know quite what to expect with the Big Wood Zin, especially since its ABV is 16.8%. That is indeed a big wine. The first few sips dispelled any wariness. This is big, bodacious, and beautiful. In the glass, it is deep dark cherry in color. Plush cherry flavors combine with chocolate notes and ample vanilla. This is a plump wine with round, juicy tannins.

Green Dragon delivered on the food pairing for Big Wood, creating a Forest Mushroom Risotto with broccoli rabe with unlimited quantities of grated parmesan cheese. My question is, “Broccoli rabe, where have you been so long?” The delicate broccoli rabe with the richness of the risotto went hand-in-hand nicely with Big Wood. SRP – $36.

Lineage 2017 with Bacon-Wrapped Beef & Lamb Meatloaf with Blackberry Ketchup Glaze, Grilled Root Vegetables, Red Bliss Potatoes and Sauce Chasseur

When you are in the presence of greatness, you know it. That’s how we felt with the 2017 Lineage. Steven Mirassou, a sixth-generation winemaker from America’s oldest winemaking family, has a goal to make one of the truly great Cabernet Sauvignon-based wines in the world. He struck paydirt with the 2017 Lineage. Renowned wine critic Steve Heimoff awarded the 2017 Lineage an unprecedented 100 points. Heimoff remarked that of the thousands of Cabernet blends he’d tasted over the course of his career, “None have been better.”

Arthur and Mary had the challenge of creating a dish to pair with this 100-point beauty. They delivered in grand style: a tower of perfect meatloaf bathed in a blackberry ketchup glaze and sauce chasseur. It was certainly the best sauce chasseur I’ve ever had (I’ll let you guess how many I’ve tasted…).

Lineage has 75% Cabernet Sauvignon with 20% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Franc. A total of 3,984 bottles were produced – and we were able to sample #240. The wine has lovely layers and although this is a big wine, it feels balanced with every grape playing the perfect role. Black cherry, light oak, and mint notes add to the experience of savoring this beauty. Red fruit notes, courtesy of Cabernet Franc, add acidity.

This is a wine that can age for 30 years. We just couldn’t wait. Arthur’s meatloaf was a stack of goodness, and certainly worthy of a fine dining restaurant and a 100-point wine.

Cheers to the Livermore Valley AVA and all of our guests who made this evening so special.

Full disclosure: These wines were received as a marketing sample.

Dry Creek Vineyard Trio Offers Elegance And Charm

Three releases just perfect for your springtime sipping.

As the world slowly lurches forward out of its malaise, it’s time to celebrate with bright and optimistic wines. Can wines be optimistic? We think so, and our mood certainly brightened after tasting these new releases from Dry Creek Vineyard in Sonoma.

2019 DCV Block 10 Chardonnay, Russian River Valley

Grapes for this wine come from 30 select rows in the DCV Block 10 Vineyard in Russian River Valley. The grapes are whole-cluster pressed, a technique we especially love in Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.

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It has lemon notes mingled with minerality. Its richness is enhanced by barrel-aging in French oak (28% new) and malolactic fermentation. The overall flavor is bright, with hints of oak from its brief aging. A beautifully balanced Chard priced at $34.

2020 Sauvignon Blanc, Dry Creek Valley

This is a superb wine that is an undeniable value. The wine is 71% Sauvignon Blanc and includes Sauvignon Gris (7%) and Sauvignon Musqué (22%) clones. The Sauvignon Musqué provides juiciness and the Sauvignon Gris provides texture. We just love the complexity that comes with this blend. It makes other Sauvignon Blancs look plain by comparison.

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The barrel regimen is also unique: 17% is aged in acacia, chestnut, and oak barrels - the rest stainless steel. Dry Creek Vineyard has more than 50 years of experience with growing Sauvignon Blanc in Dry Creek Valley, and it shows. This is a layered glass of balanced acidity, herbaceousness, cooling grapefruit, lime zest and rounded apricot and stone fruit notes. Each nuanced sip beckons you to take one more. SRP is $20.

2018 Cabernet Sauvignon, Dry Creek Valley

Think Dry Creek Valley is only for Zinfandel? Hold your horses. Although the region is known primarily for Zinfandel, the AVA has almost as much Cabernet Sauvignon planted. This Cab benefits from vibrant sunshine and cool foggy evenings to ripen just right while maintaining ample acidity.

This is a silky take on Cab with 79% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Merlot, 5% Malbec, and 2% each of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. It spends 19 months in French oak (36% new). There is a cranberry core with floral highlights. A delightful mineral note wraps it all together. We found this to be delightful on the patio paired with a starry night. It is right-priced also, at $32.

Full Disclosure: This wine was received as a marketing sample.

Serre Vineyards: North Carolina Winery Visit

A newcomer to the NC wine scene, this Mt. Airy winery scores high marks.

On The Road Again!

Serre Vineyards, in North Carolina’s Yadkin Valley, captured our imagination since we learned of its opening. It’s at the northern end of North Carolina’s wine country and not far from where we were recently staying in Mt. Airy.

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Our trip was the first real wine sortie since the pandemic began. We began our trip visiting a winery in Virginia, but now we were on our home turf once again, and ready to sip some excellent wine.

Serre Vineyard is located on Beast Trail in Mt. Airy and the name of the road piqued our interest. We found that things were not beastly, in fact, quite the opposite. Still, The Beast would make a great name for a wine, wouldn’t it?

The tasting room is actually a tasting barn, and we were delighted to learn that it was styled after one of our favorite Finger Lakes wineries, Hermann J. Wiemer. We’ve had the good fortune to visit the Wiemer tasting barn and the 3,000 square-foot Serre facility captures the same feel, open and airy. It’s built in the modern farmhouse style with European accents. In the time of COVID, its crisp and clean look was also welcome.

New Vines Taking Root

Serre opened in September 2020 and so at this point, the grapes and winemaking come from outside sources, specifically Round Peak and Childress wineries. The vines are now in the ground for the estate vineyard and as they bear fruit, the winery will transition to its own grapes.

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The property is 70 acres of farmland at more than 1,300 feet in elevation with a stellar view of the Blue Ridge Mountains. We started our visit inside the tasting room but soon ambled out to the best spot at the winery: comfortable Adirondack chairs with views of the mountains, the Blue Ridge Parkway, and the Cumberland Knob.

Owner and “chief tasting officer” Christian Krobisch has a background in finance and is currently working with the helpful winemakers in Yadkin Valley to learn his craft and in time assume full-time winemaking duties.

Have no fear, there is plenty of wine at the winery and it’s quite good! Lauri led us through our tasting, which began with white wine and a rosé.

The 2019 Chardonnay is a light wine with bright flavors of apple. It’s barrel-fermented in French Oak and aged for 10 months before being finished in stainless steel. The next wine is one that we know will be popular during North Carolina’s humid summer days: the 2019 Knockout Rosé. Knockout is made from Sangiovese and its secret power is bubbles. The wine is made in a frizzante style and the light bubbles seemed to make the wine twice as refreshing.

Red Wines Shine

Our appetites were whetted for the red wines to follow. The 2018 Cabernet Franc exemplifies what we love about North Carolina wine. It has graceful notes of red fruit and a touch of herbs. Good acidity means a balanced and lively wine. A bottle retails for $34.

Cabernet Sauvignon is a riddle for North Carolina producers. It is difficult to coax the depth of color and the intensity of flavor that West Coast wines enjoy. Serre offers a good 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon, but our preference is for the other reds offered.

A case in point is the 2017 The Early Blend. Made in cooperation with Round Peak Vineyards, The Early Blend is… wait for it… a blend of Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and a splash of Barbera. This is Serre’s best-selling wine. We found it to be beautiful with swirls of blackberry and plum.

Italian grapes have found a home in the North Carolina mountains, with Sangiovese showing particularly well. The 2018 Reserve Sangiovese was my favorite, with savory flavors of cherry with floral accents and a base of earthy rusticity. The Green Dragon and I enjoyed a glass of The Early Blend and the
Reserve Sangiovese respectively while enjoying a picnic lunch at the Adirondack chairs out back.

In the “it’s not our thing but it might be yours” category, we also tasted the semi-sweet Carolina Wine Mixer (Chardonnay and Pinot Gris) plus the sweet Nautilife Rosé. The Rosé is made with

California Grenache grapes and features a remarkable plastic bottle. It looks just like a glass bottle but can bounce -- which is helpful if you’re having fun out on a boat or a setting where a glass bottle might shatter.

Serre Vineyards offers live music and other special events. Charcuterie is available for snacking. In May, Serre is open weekly except for Tuesday and Wednesday. Serre is also a perfect location for your own special event or wedding.

We’re excited to see the addition of Serre to the NC wine scene and fully expect it to develop into one of the most popular winery destinations in the state. We suggest you visit now to avoid the crowds!

WIYG – A Cavalcade Of Wine Reviews

WIYG? That’s a question we are often asked. Here’s a look at what's in our glass.

What the heck is a cavalcade and what’s it doing in my wine blog? Well, if you must know, it is defined as a formal procession of people walking, on horseback, or riding in vehicles. Many years ago there was a variety TV show called Jackie Gleason’s Cavalcade of Stars. I never saw the show and my introduction is veering into the weeds quickly, so I’ll simply say that I’m proud to present a cavalcade of wine so that I can catch up on wines that we’ve tasted but haven’t yet been reviewed. So, ta da, here is the cavalcade…

Nadia 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon, Santa Barbara Highlands Vineyard

Although we carefully cellar our wine, when you dip back 10 or more years, the quality can be hit or miss. With Nadia, it was a big hit. We love Napa Valley, but it is nice to explore Cabernet Sauvignon from other regions.

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We were rewarded with a rich, rich, body. The wine has lovely notes of caramel and plum. This is a single vineyard Cab from Santa Barbera County, a wonderful – and less explored – part of California wine country.

2007 Long Shadows Wineries Syrah Sequel, Columbia Valley

This is a wine from one of the coolest wineries around: Long Shadows. Long Shadows pairs international winemakers with the fantastic vineyards of Washington State. The winemaker of Sequel Syrah is John Duval, the former winemaker for Penfolds Grange in Australia.

We purchased two bottles, drinking one in 2013 and the last seven years later. Alas, the wine didn’t hold up. The wine is still broodingly dark, but the fruit has all but disappeared with some olive notes and faint blueberry left. Time to get a new vintage.

Winemaker Selection 2018 Pinot Noir, Hawkes Bay

This wine goes into the “why not” category. I picked this up for less than $8 at the Lidl grocery store. Hawkes Bay is perhaps New Zealand’s best known region for red wine. We weren’t expecting much based on the price, but were pleasantly surprised.

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The Winemaker Selection isn’t complex, but is varietally correct and quite satisfying. Notes of smoke and raspberry carry this medium-light bodied wine. Low price but super high QPR (quality price ratio).

Gran Corte 2015 Red Blend, Valle de Colchagua

This wine comes from the southern reach of Chile and sounded like a winner with a promising blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmenère, and Syrah. Gran Corte, in Spanish, designates an assemblage of high quality wines. This wine weighs in at 15% ABV and the bottle has a bit of heft too.

This is another wine from Lidl and I thought I’d opt for quality by spending a few dollars more. This cost about $13. However, it was a bust. The wine was grapey, which is a funny thing to say about a product that is entirely made of grapes. It had no refined flavors – strictly one dimensional with weak bleary flavors.

Beaux Frères 2014 The Upper Terrace 2014 Pinot Noir, Ribbon Ridge

The Upper Terrace rocked it from first drop to last. The wine comes from the uber-cool Ribbon Ridge AVA, which is part of the beloved Willamette Valley AVA in Oregon. The wine is unfiltered, unfined and unparalleled. On the nose there are sour cherries. On the tongue there are earthy plum notes and black tea leaves. It has a divine, lush texture and finished with a touch of spice.

Beaux Frères was one of the earliest wineries in Oregon, founded in 1986 by Michael G. Etzel, and brother-in-law (Beaux Frères in French) wine critic Robert M. Parker Jr.

El Viejo del Valle 2019 Chardonnay, Central Valley

El Viejo del Valle means Old Man of the Valley. This Chilean Chardonnay, with 1950s-style Chilean street graffiti on the label, was a sub -$10 buy on sale at Great Grapes in Cary. The wine, imported by the French company Boutinot, is unoaked with pure notes of apple and pear. It is lively with a crisp finish. Fruit for this 2019 vintage comes from the Central Valley and an old vines vineyard beneath a volcano.

Chilean wines represent great value. Many of the white grapes take on different flavor expressions in the unique Chilean climate.

Tenet 2014 The Pundit Syrah, Columbia Valley

With all the political fireworks, we’ve just about had our fill of pundits – except when it comes to The Pundit, a Syrah from Washington’s Columbia Valley. It’s a blend of 88% Syrah, 6% Grenache, 4% Mourvedre,  and 2% Viognier.

We paired it with Beef Bourguignon and the red cherry, blackberry and earth undertones of the wine melded beautifully with the dish. The label art is captivating, so much so you’ll feel you’re being watched. It explodes with flavor and is refined by aging in French oak and concrete. A true beauty.

Cavalcade out!

Corning & Southern Finger Lakes Offer A Bounty Of Incredible Wine

Seeking world-class white wine? Look no further than New York’s Keuka Lake.

A Wine Playground

We’ve trotted the globe in search of adventure and exemplary wine. While Italy’s Alps and the old vine Shiraz of Australia are impressive, the Finger Lakes region is perhaps our favorite place for wine adventures.

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The Native American legend says that the Great Spirit loved the central New York State region so much that he placed his hands on the land. The imprint filled with crystal water and became the Finger Lakes (although there are 11 of them!).

During a recent International Food, Wine & Travel Writers Association webinar with Corning & The Southern Finger Lakes we had a chance to revisit our favorite wine playground. The webinar included a tasting of three superb white wines.

The sensational wine is just part of the story. Corning and the Southern Finger Lakes is a 4½-hour drive from New York City and about four hours from Philadelphia. It is a world away, though, with small town Americana charm plus world class attractions.

Corning has been voted the Most Fun Small Town and Hammondsport has been named one of the country’s best small lake towns. We’ve enjoyed visits to both over the years. In addition to great dining and shops, Corning also has the Corning Museum of Glass, which has the world’s largest collection of glass art. Its collection spans 3,500 years.

Keuka Lake is known as the crooked Finger Lake, being shaped like a “Y.” While we have enjoyed wine tastings on Seneca, Cayuga, and Canandaigua, we have special affection for Keuka.

Nearby Hammondsport is a wonderful small town with a perfect town square surrounded by restaurants and shops. It’s a short distance from the three wineries highlighted during our webinar.

Towering Trio

In addition to representatives of the Steuben (stew-BEN) County convention and visitors bureau, three wineries were featured: Domaine LeSeurre, Weis Vineyards, and Dr. Konstantin Frank Winery. It is a great snapshot representing the quality wines of the region.

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Domaine LeSeurre 2017 Chardonnay Unoaked Cuvée Classique – Sébastien LeSeurre and wife Céline craft wines using their taste and feelings. “If you make wine with numbers, your wine will taste like numbers,” he said during the webinar. Both Céline and  Sébastien are from France with deep family roots in winemaking. They are the winemaking team for Domaine LeSeurre and with the Chardonnay Cuvée they have crafted a wonderful food wine.

The wine is fermented 100% in stainless steel and undergoes battonage for 10 months. Grapes are sourced from two Finger Lakes vineyards, one predominantly shalestone and the other clay. The wine has tropical fruit and honey notes. There is a flowing minerality and great balance.

Weis Vineyards 2019 Dry Riesling – Hans Peter Weis was born in the Mosel region of Germany and spent his youth in the vineyards and wine cellar of his family’s winery. He decided to pursue his winemaking passion in the US and tried one vintage in Sonoma before stumbling upon the Finger Lakes. Here he found the soils and climate similar to home and the perfect location to handcraft German-style wines.

We paired the Weis Riesling with a vegan meal of crispy tofu with orange sauce and stir-fried vegetables. Our daughter is a vegan chef and outdid herself with this delicious meal. While we had visited the other two featured wineries, this was our first taste of Weis (pronounced VICE) and it did not disappoint.

The wine has refreshing minerality with lime notes and a crackling acidity. There are flavor notes of wet stones and apple. This is an amazing wine and for those who aren’t familiar with the dry style of Riesling, this bottle will be a game-changer. Superb!

Dr. Konstantin Frank 2019 Rkatsitelli – Meaghan Frank is the great-granddaughter of Konstantin Frank, the Ukrainian immigrant whose determination and skill changed the course of wine history in the Finger Lakes. It was previously thought that New York was only suitable for table wines made with native grapes and that vitis vinifera, or noble grapes, would never grow there. He dashed that idea and today the region produces world-class wine and the winery that bears his name is acknowledged as one of the top 100 wineries in the world.

Meaghan has brought innovative ideas to the winery, but shared something very old. Rkatsitelli is one of the oldest grape varieties in the world, dating back to 3000 BC.

Dr. Frank’s has a wide-ranging lineup of wines, but the Rkat is special indeed. It has medium body weight and texture and a core of grapefruit flavor. Notes of citrus and flower blossoms intermingle with mineral undertones. What an amazing wine! It will pair perfectly with sushi, seafood, poultry and even barbeque.

We have only scratched the surface of this enticing locale. Each time we travel there we return with beautiful memories (and plenty of wine). For more information on the destination, check out the Corning and the Southern Finger Lakes website.

My colleague Stacey Wittig has recently shared her top picks for the best Finger Lakes wineries near Corning. Check them out!

New Kosher Wine Releases Display Wide Ranging Styles

These three wines are perfect for holiday entertaining, special occasions, or when the mood for a great wine strikes.

Going Organic

Our tasting table recently was overflowing with great new wine releases to be reviewed, including these three Kosher wines. In case you’ve missed it, the quality of Kosher wines has shot skyward like a rocket in recent years. No particular faith is required, just a love of good wine.

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The Hertzog Variations 2019 Be-Leaf Cabernet Sauvignon is from one of our favorite Cab locations: California’s Paso Robles AVA. Not only that, but it is a certified organic wine with no added sulfites. We decided this would be a perfect wine to test drive with a fire pit on the patio.

Paso reds can be gargantuan – almost overpowering. This one was nicely dialed in with silky texture, flavors of red currant, blueberries, a hint of orange peel, and smoke. No reason to fear this wine. A real deal at $24.99.

Going Wild

Several years ago, we were introduced to wild fermentation by a winemaker in Ontario. Instead of adding pre-formulated yeast, the wine is spontaneously fermented using yeast that is found in the vineyard and especially on the grapes. In our way of thinking, this imparts another level of terroir to the wine, with the yeast adding a special nuance peculiar to the wine’s place of origin.

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The Segal 2019 Wild Fermentation Chardonnay is from Israel’s Galilee region. It’s a really wonderful Chardonnay, made all the more so because the flavors aren’t masked by going overboard with oak aging. It is aged in oak barrels, but just enough to add complexity. There are fresh flavors of apple and tropical fruit blended with a creamy, rich texture. Quite a value at $24.99

Going In A New Direction

The Tabor 2016 Revadim Vineyard Marselan is a grape we’ve never tried before. Marselan is a cross between Cabernet Sauvignon and Grenache that originated in France. In fact, it has been approved for use in Bordeaux wines as winemakers there try to stay on top of climate change.

We are all in on Marselan. This is a delicious wine with flavors of tart cherry and fig. There are rumbling bass notes in this wine in the form of herbal and earthy flavors.

It has a balance that keeps you reaching for one more glass. It’s really unique in that Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot are typically blended, and Grenache typically pairs with Syrah in blends. A marriage between a Bordeaux and Rhone grape, the Marselan really shines.

When I learned that Bordeaux was permitting new grapes to their wines due to global warming, I was saddened to hear it. After sipping this wine, I say bring on the Marselan. It’s a great addition – although we certainly need to take any and all steps to address climate change. This wine retails for $39.99.

Full disclosure: These wines were received as marketing samples.

Screwcap Wines Perfect For Your Outside Enjoyment

The current pandemic has increased the amount of time we’re spending outdoors. Here’s a list of some outstanding screw closure wines to enjoy while there.

Welcome To The Great Outdoors

Patios, backyards, parks, beaches, lakes, balconies, rooftops. Camping, picnics, hiking—one of the biggest trends of 2020 just might be how much time we’re spending outdoors. For the time being, our entertaining has all been on our back patio with plenty of room to social distance with our friends. We’ve been twisting off the tops of many wines in the process.

Wines with screw closures have come a long way. Previously screwcaps were used almost exclusively on low-quality, mass-produced wine. Today the story is much different.

Advances in closure technology now allows for the preservation of wine without the worry of cork taint. Many producers also tout the environmentally-friendly aspect of screw closures. You can no longer judge the quality of the wine by the bottle top.

Perhaps the biggest bonus is convenience. No foil cutter or corkscrew is required – and you don’t need to worry about resealing the bottle if you didn’t quite finish. Just twist the top back on.

Twist And Shout

We recently untwisted the tops on eight enjoyable screwcap wines:

Bernier 2018 Chardonnay, Loire Valley – We’re Loire Valley fans and consider these French wines fun with plentiful fruit. This Chard is fresh with apple and pear notes with minimal oaking. Nice minerality too. SRP $15.99.

Domaine Matrot 2018 Chardonnay, Burgundy – This Burgundy gets malolactic fermentation and time on the lees for a nice rounded flavor. The vines average more than 30 years old. SRP $28.99.

Domaine Matrot 2017 Pinot Noir, Burgundy – Made with grapes from Puligny-Montrachet and Meursault, this is a Pinot designed to drink young. A fresh wine with sweet notes of red berries. Lacks the earthiness of some Pinot, but is juicy with soft tannins. SRP $33.99.

La Vieille Ferme 2019 Rosé – La Vieille Ferme is the best-selling French wine in America and is designed to be straightforward and inexpensive. The Rosé is thoroughly enjoyable at a mere $11.99 price. Made with Cinsault, Grenache, and Syrah.

La Vieille Ferme 2018 Rouge – This is a unique red with a Southern France profile. The grapes are Carignan, Cinsault, Grenache, and Syrah. The grapes are crushed and fermented in cement vats, which gives the wine a light and playful style. One of my patio favorites at a mere $11.99.

MAN 2019 Chenin Blanc, South Africa – This Chenin Blanc, or Steen as its called in its home country, comes from unirrigated bush vines. Surprisingly, it is made from free-run juice – no pressing involved. This is a fresh, enjoyable mix of pineapple, lemon and apple flavors. SRP $11.99.

MAN 2017 Pinotage, South Africa – There’s a lot to love about this Pinotage (a South African specialty). It starts with earthy notes of mocha then softens into juicy, red berry bliss. This was a favorite of the Green Dragon (my lovely wife). SRP $11.99.

Mohua 2019 Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough – A satisfying, classic version of Marlborough Sauvignon with tropical fruit and lime notes punctuated with a zesty acidity. The Mohua is a small colorful bird found only on the South Island of New Zealand. This is a solid choice for the summery days of September. SRP $15.99

Full disclosure: These wines were received as marketing samples.

White Wines For A Frosty Winter

Think winter is solely the domain of hearty reds? Rethink that as you sip these wines.

Winter Wonderland

Does a forecast of snow send you sneaking to the wine rack for a Cabernet? Not so fast.

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The right white wines will make you forget all about the drifting snow and slick roads. Here are a quartet of wines that we recommend.

Domaine Matrot Bourgogne Blanc 2017

The Côte d’Or in the heart of Burgundy produces some of the most famous Chardonnay in the world. Burgundian Chardonnay shuns the heavy oaking of California in favor of fruity and round flavors. This wine, which is farmed and harvested organically, displays the rich taste for which Chardonnay is known. It is unoaked and a great value at $29.

Famille Perrin Côtes du Rhône Blanc 2018

You probably know Côtes du Rhône for their affordable and enjoyable red blends. The region also produces intriguing white wines that are a great value. If you aren’t familiar with the white grapes of the Rhône Valley, this is a great place to start. Made with Grenache Blanc, Marsanne, Roussanne, and Viognier, this blend has pops of lime, fresh floral aromas and a dash of minerality. The price? A tasty $14.

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Tablas Creek Esprit de Tablas Blanc 2017

Yes, we love Tablas Creek! This wine from the Adelaida District of California’s Paso Robles appellation is a Rhone-inspired masterpiece. The grapes for this wine come from budwood cuttings from the famed Château de Beaucastel estate in France. The blend includes Roussanne, Grenache Blanc, Picpoul Blanc, Picardan, and Clairette Blanche. An explosion of pear, cinnamon and oak. SRP $45.

Umani Ronchi Vellodoro Pecorino 2018

Italy’s Pecorino is known as the “grape of the sheep” for the presence of this grape in sheep grazing territory. It comes from Abruzzo in eastern Italy. It grows in cooler weather and is great for sipping in the winter. It is ideal if you want to explore white wines beyond Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. This is a dry wine with soft fruit, good acidity and herbal notes. It also has a fuller body than most whites. An excellent pick at $17.

Full Disclosure: These wines were received as marketing samples.

Chardonnay Showcase Reveals Winners From Oregon, California, North Carolina And Italy

During our recent tasting event, the Chardonnay showcase attracted attention to some tasty new Chardonnay releases.

California And Then Some

Chardonnay is the most popular white wine in the world. It’s by far and away the most popular wine in the US, continuing a decade of supremacy that has featured sales increases every year. While California is the acknowledged Chardonnay leader, we made some tasty discoveries from other regions during a recent tasting.

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Due to my wife’s involvement in a local women’s group, we ended up hosting a Sip, Sup and Support tasting for a local school clothing and supplies drive. With nearly 40 in attendance, we had some enthusiastic supporters of this charity work. Having an assortment of amazing wines didn’t hurt either.

We decided to showcase five outstanding Chardonnay releases. Four are domestic, from California, Oregon and North Carolina. For kicks we added an Italian Chardonnay.

Swordplay To Start

This will come as no surprise to anyone who has been in or around North Carolina these past couple weeks: It is sweltering hot. It was so hot, I saw a squirrel picking up nuts with a potholder in the backyard.

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You get the picture. Thankfully, I had our Chardonnay chilled in ice for more than four hours before our guests arrived.

After successfully sabering a bottle of French sparkling wine with a US Coast Guard officer sword and enjoying some sparkling wine, it was time to move to the Chardonnay showcase.

We had a pair of entries from Oregon. I’ve visited Oregon twice this year and one of the hot – or should I say cool? – trends is Chardonnay. Growers there have planted clones that thrive in cool climates and the results are delicious.

Our Chardonnay Showcase

Here’s a capsule look at our five Chardonnay wines featured in our showcase:

Cameron Hughes 2017 Lot 672 Chardonnay, Rogue Valley, OR - A delightful surprise, this wine is on the Chablis side of the Chardonnay spectrum. Light with bright citrus fruit, mouthwatering pear flavor and plentiful acidity. If you don’t know Rogue Valley, Oregon’s southernmost wine region, this is a good reason to explore it. Cameron Hughes is a négociant and doesn’t own vineyards or a winery. Instead they specialize in locating superior quality at palatable prices under their own label. A steal at only $14 SRP with a value two or three times that.

Marshall Davis 2017 Chardonnay, Yamhill-Carlton, OR -- Chardonnay is a rising star in Willamette Valley. This micro-production (150 cases) wine is barrel fermented and aged 16 months in mostly neutral oak. Grown on gently sloping hills and planted in shallow volcanic topsoil, this Chard delivers flowing minerality, pear notes, tropical fruit and perfect balance. An example of the new winning style of Oregon Chardonnay. SRP $39.

Dry Creek Vineyards 2917 DCV Estate Block 10 Chardonnay, Russian River Valley -- Luxurious, handcrafted wine from one of America’s top Chardonnay regions. The balance is impeccable with the perfect touch of oak rounding out a rich glass of roasted pear, lime, and apricot flavors. Grapes are whole cluster pressed to extract complex flavors. A smooth and limited-production success at SRP $34.

Surry Cellars 2015 Barrel Fermented Chardonnay, Yadkin Valley, NC – Yes, America, high-quality wine is being produced in North Carolina. This wine is made by students at Surry Community College studying at the Shelton-Badgett NC Center for Viticulture and Enology, a winery and teaching facility. Oaky Chardonnay fans in our group loved this wine, which has lush flavors with deep oak notes. It was barrel-aged for two years and underwent battonage to develop a deep golden hue and full-bodied flavors. It looks like the future of wine in North Carolina is in good hands.

Peri Bigogno Regina Di Cipro 2016 Chardonnay Montenetto di Brescia IGP – The “Queen of Cyprus” is a light and breezy Chardonnay from the Old World. In addition to pineapple and apricot flavors, there is a distinct savory aspect to this medium-bodied wine. This Chardonnay is aged in stainless steel to maintain the fresh, crisp flavors. It’s also the lowest ABV of the group at 12.5%. SRP is $22.

There’s no better time to pop open a nicely chilled bottle of Chardonnay. Whether you like deeply oaked Chardonnay, more balance, or a stainless steel finish there is a bottle for you at a price that’s easy to swallow.

Gourmet Lunch Features North Carolina Wines

Combine a quartet of North Carolina wines with some culinary wizardry and the results are delicious.

Birth of An Idea

I was determined not to miss the North Carolina Wine Bloggers Summit this year. Last year I made a note of the date but somehow it slipped me by. Not this year.

The 2019 North Carolina Wine Bloggers Summit was held in Yadkinville at Hanover Park Vineyard. The event also included an optional tour with visits to Jones Von Drehle and McRitchie wineries. It was there that I became acquainted with Arthur Barham. I noticed that he was bringing wine into the hotel labeled Holly Springs, NC. That’s just a short hop from our hometown of Fuquay-Varina. We struck up a conversation and a friendship. Also taking part in the event were Michele Nidiffer of Wine, Women & Style and Natalie Hampton of Tarheel Taps & Corks.

In addition to being a budding winemaker, Arthur has experience in fine dining establishments and is a sensational chef. He conceived the idea of continuing the comradery of the wine summit with a wine get-together in the Raleigh area. Arthur is preparing to launch his blog Merlot2Muscadine, which will feature video profiles of North Carolina wineries.

Uncork The Bubbly!

The lunch, hosted by Arthur and wife Mary, was a celebration of great food and North Carolina wine. The party included the four social media influencers and our spouses: Natalie and husband Kyle, Michele and husband Jim, Arthur and Mary, wife Kathy (aka Green Dragon) and I rounded out the group. Every delicious bite was prepared by Chef Arthur.

The afternoon soirée started with Arthur uncorking a bottle of sparkling Brut from Biltmore Estate. Biltmore has more than 1 million visitors annually and is the most visited winery in the country. This traditional method bubbly was the perfect start while enjoying an outstanding selection of cheeses.

Gazpacho is the most well known soup served cold – but with near-summertime heat, Arthur instead prepared Chilled Peach and Apple Champagne Soup. Smooth and refreshing, our gourmet lunch was underway.

The Wine Is Slightly Askew

It was time for more North Carolina wine! The appetizer course was Grilled Marinated Shrimp in Fruit Salsa. The salsa was a mash-up of strawberries, kiwi, onion, cilantro, jalapeño and fresh peach. The wine served was Slightly Askew Penny for Your Thoughts white wine. Slightly Askew is located in Yadkin Valley, but is slightly different from other wineries in that it uses local juice as well as juice from wine regions around the world.

The Penny for Your Thoughts is made with Australian Chardonnay juice and is vinted at the Slightly Askew winery. It is a crisp Chardonnay with just the right kiss of oakiness. An outstanding match for the shrimp.

An amuse bouche is a “mouth amuser” designed as a single bite. It provides a glimpse into the chef’s style and – in our case – the light refreshment before plunging into the main course. Our amuse bouche was a mini Caprese salad consisting of a roasted tomato, burrata, fresh basil with a  balsamic drizzle.

A Jolt Of Jolotage

Arthur’s gastronomic skills went into overdrive for the next course: Bacon Wrapped Grilled Pork Tenderloin with Apple Chutney and Pepper Relish. Michele provided a bottle of wine from her favorite North Carolina winery: JOLO.

The 2018 JOLO Jolotage is a proprietary red blend. The grapes include Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot and – what sets it apart from a regular Bordeaux-style blend – Chambourcin. The Chambourcin has vibrant raspberry notes and Jolotage has silky tannins. This was a delightful pick for our pork.

My task for the meal was to pick a North Carolina wine to go with the dessert. Arthur said he wanted to give me the most difficult assignment because he knew I could handle it. Hmmm.

The dessert was Lemon Custard with Whipped Cream and a Lemon Truffle. The original plan was to torch it tableside, but Mary didn’t want Arthur playing with fire (kidding!).

Make Mine Mead

For the wine I decided to bring a North Carolina mead – wine made from honey. I selected bottles from Starrlight Meadery in Pittsboro. Honeyed Peach is a traditional mead. This has nice lush flavors of fruit and honey. However, it isn’t thick and syrupy and wasn’t over-the-top sweet. (I also brought a bottle of Gallberry Honey Mead, but the bottle was off.)

The mead was definitely better when sampled before the dessert. The citrus and sweetness of the dessert negated some of the delicious notes of the mead, but a sip of water allowed the enjoyment of mead to continue. Starrlight has a new tasting room in the Pittsboro Beverage District, a great location to explore this unique artisan beverage. Mead – it’s not just for hobbits!

Great conversation, wizardry in the kitchen and outstanding North Carolina wine – that’s a recipe for an appetizing afternoon. Thanks to our wonderful hosts and guests.

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Six Surefire Picks For Your Springtime Sipping

Dry Creek Vineyard Meritage

When a wine shipment didn’t arrive in time for a scheduled party, we decided to “go rogue.” The results were delightful – six wines we recommend for your springtime sipping.

Two days before our party, I had a sinking feeling. The special shipment of wine that was going to be the centerpiece of our soiree hadn’t arrived. There were no messages from UPS or Fed-X. When I contacted the shipper, she explained that there was an unfortunate mistake. Yikes!

While our tasting was to focus on a very specific wine region, that was now off the table. We had to “go rogue.” I immediately surveyed the available wine and picked a half-dozen bottles certain to scintillate our guests.

2018 Fleurs de Prairie Rosé, Cotes de Provence

Fleurs de Prairie Rosé - better with Wisteria!

Kicking off the party was the 2018 Fleurs de Prairie Rosé. In reviewing background material for the wine, I noticed that the wine is a tribute to the fields of flowers in the Cotes de Provence region. Wisteria flourishes in this part of France as it does in our hometown. We quickly were on an expedition (successful!) to find wisteria for a nice centerpiece.

Fleurs de Prairie is a beautiful rosé, perfect for a spring filled with blooming trees and flowers. It is a blend of Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault, Carignan and Mourvedre that tastes light as a feather, with delicate flavors of strawberry with some herbal notes. Just the right amount of acidity makes this a balanced wine, and one perfect to pair with light dishes. The price is about $17.

Fleurs de Prairie is also notable for its Seeds of Beauty campaign, which recognizes and supports women who are dedicated to creating beauty in their community. Seed grants of $2,500 are available.

Inurrieta Mimaò with barbecue meatballs

2018 Ochoa Calendas, Navarra

2016 Inurrieta Mimaò Garnacha, Navarra

Navarra is a northern Spanish wine region known for its beauty and diverse terroir. It is also home of the famous Camino de Santiago (Way of St. James) which influenced many winegrowers to use French grape varieties such as Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon.

Chardonnay-Viura blend
from Navarra, Spain

The Ochoa Calendas is a blend of 75% Chardonnay and 25% Viura, a well respected white grape. We paired this with pan seared salmon with lemon garlic cream sauce. This is a nice blend, with the Viura adding freshness and nice acidity to balance the classic Chardonnay flavors. It was perfect with our salmon. A bargain at just $12 SRP.

Garnacha from Spain can often take on a rustic flavor, but the Inurrieta Mimaò is a smooth sipper. It is fermented in stainless steel and gets malolactic fermentation to add a plush texture. It is finished with seven months in French oak.

We found this to be a very pleasant surprise with mineral notes and plenty of ripe fruit. This reminded me of the French Grenache style, light, easy and very satisfying. This is also a steal at $15. We’ll be on the lookout for more wines from Navarra.

Territorial Pinot Noir from Willamette Valley

2014 Territorial Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley

Is it possible to have a good party without serving Willamette Valley Pinot Noir? I guess it is theoretically possible, but we didn’t want to take a chance.

This Pinot from Territorial Vineyards is juicy with plenty of savory notes. We served it with rosemary seasoned chicken sausage with grilled apples and gouda. The acidity and tannins are knit together well in a balanced wine with plum and blueberry flavors.

Eighteen months in French oak is the crowning touch for this beautiful bottle. It is well priced at $26.

2016 Dry Creek Vineyard Meritage, Dry Creek Valley

Dry Creek Vineyard Meritage has long been one of our favorite wines. It’s a blend of some of California’s best grapes and this Sonoma wine comes with a much lower price tag than its Napa Valley neighbors. In 1985, Dry Creek Vineyard was the first to produce a wine with “Meritage” on its label.

The 2016 vintage is 65% Merlot, 16% Cabernet Franc, 10% Malbec and is rounded out with Petit Verdot and Cabernet Sauvignon. The wine is aged for 20 months in a combination of French, Hungarian and American oak and so it needs to open up to be fully enjoyed.

The drinker is rewarded with big flavors of black cherry and currant with some spice and leather notes. Just beautiful! This wine is priced at $30 and is also a good pick to cellar for three to five years.

Laughing Stock Blind Trust hides its blend under its capsule

2011 Laughing Stock Blind Trust, Okanagan Valley

We had one more mystery for out “going rogue” tasting party crew. The Blind Trust wine from the British Columbia winery Laughing Stock doesn’t advertise its blending grapes. When I purchased the wine it was with  blind trust because we love wines from Okanagan Valley. The blend isn’t revealed until the bottle is opened and the capsule pulled away.

The Blind Trust was justified. This is a great wine with a blend of 47% Merlot, 31% Malbec, 12% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Cabernet Franc and 4% Syrah for good measure. This wine has swirling minerality with beautiful herbal notes to give this a unique character. Blueberry and black cherry lead the way. 

Wines from Okanagan are outstanding, but few reach the US, unfortunately. The current vintage of Blind Trust is sold out (we’re not surprised!) so we recommend investing in the 2016 Portfolio, a nice Bordeaux style blend.

You don’t need our permission to “go rogue.” Just pick up a bottle or three and uncork!

Full disclosure: Some of this wine was provided as a marketing sample.