THE CHALK REPORT

by Andrew Chalk Regarding the misrepresentation of this wine as a Texas wine. A complaint has been filed with the Office of The Attorney General, State of Texas. TCP-020991 Mano's Wine Spanish below - Español abajo ANDREW CHALK , Thank you for filing your complaint with the Consumer Protection Division of the Office of the Texas Attorney General. Your complaint number is TCP-020991. The Consumer Protection Division will review your complaint and may contact you if additiona

by Andrew Chalk Auteur is celebrating the season this year with a limited-edition Holiday Gift Box, ’The Wild Coast Auteur Collection’  honoring the bounty of the Russian River Valley. The keepsake holiday gift box includes:  - Auteur 2023 Sonoma Coast Chardonnay and Auteur 2023 Russian River Pinot Noir - Locally grown Chandler walnuts from certified-organic Double A Walnuts, which nods towards the Russian River Valley's agricultural roots - An heirloom nutcracker  - A house

An ideal Champagne for the holiday season by Andew Chalk Champagne Pommery may be the ideal style and price point for Champgne this holiday season. It has breed, balance, complexity and refinement. The distinctive blue label can be found all over Texas. Enjoy! TASTING NOTES NAME: Champagne Pommery, Brut Apanage COMMENTS APPEARANCE Clarity clear Intensity medium Color lemon NOSE Condition clean Intensity medium ;plus Aroma Characteristics Yeast, meyer lemon, pear,   PALATE Swe

This Wine, found at Costco, is named after Texas but contains no Texas grapes. by Andrew Chalk This Wine, found at a Costco in Texas, is named after Texas but contains no Texas grapes. This misleads the consumer, steals sales from Texas winegrowers, and lowers Texas farm incomes. Costco should refuse to go along with this "legalized fraud" and Texas attorney general Ken Paxton should file charges against the producer for deceptive trade practices.

P:hoto cfredit: Jenna Vanzant Collective FROM THE WIRES... DALLAS, TEXAS (November 17, 2025) – Perched atop the beautiful Dallas skyline, Mirador  invites guests to celebrate the season with its Modern Holiday Tea , offered on select dates throughout November and December. This festive tradition pairs panoramic city views with a curated three-course tea experience, seasonal cocktails, elegant flights , and Mirador’s signature   caviar service. “We’re thrilled to welcome guest

by Andrew Chalk A recent visit to the Texas Hill Country gave me a chance to try some of the latest releases in their ever-expanding vineyard-designated lineup. With Jon Gruenhagen of their tasting staff leading the way, treating the occasion like an oenological jam session, improving without fear, I and an anonymous winemaker (known simply by his numeronym “r8y”) worked our way through some of their latest releases. Some general observations: The winery now produces six bran

FROM THE WIRES... As we head into the season of cozy gatherings and golden-hour dinners, Bernardus Winery has something truly special to share, a Carmel Valley grown Chardonnay that captures the essence of autumn, paired with a dish that makes it shine. Introducing the 2023 Ingrid’s Vineyard Chardonnay (SRP $55) , a limited-edition bottling from the estate vineyard planted directly in front of the Bernardus Lodge (the winery and lodge are separate entities, but share this s

Inside the Hidden Cellar at TWC. Password? by Andrew Chalk With a 250-mile journey to Fredericksburg from Dallas it is no-brainer for me to sign up for the elevated tastings to try to make the most of the journey. The latest was the Hidden Pour  at the Texas Wine Collective (TWC). The TWC describes this (paraphrasing) as “...a special, reservation-only tasting experience at the Texas Wine Collective, where guests enter through a secret door for an intimate session with rare p

Maple-glazed Pork Osso Bucco FROM THE WIRES... Husband-and-Wife Team Chris & Bonnie Borges’ Mid-City Neighborhood Restaurant  On Saturday, November 22, 2025, husband-and-wife culinary and hospitality veterans Chris and Bonnie Borges opened Charmant , the latest addition to Mid-City’s dining scene that channels the easy elegance of a European bistro through a distinctly New Orleans lens. Located at 514 City Park Avenue , Charmant showcases modern European flavors, a robust wi

by Andrew Chalk TL;DR : Harmonious, complex, richly flavored pinot noir from Anaba Wines with just enough structure to position this wine for pairing with a multiplicity of food options. Try with duck, pork, and sauced pasta dishes. One of the best pinot noirs I have tasted this year, a year of lots of strong contenders. BACKGROUND FROM THE WINERY TASTING NOTES NAME: Anaba 2022 Pinot Noir, Felix Hunter Vineyard, Sonoma Coast, CA COMMENTS APPEARANCE Clarity clear Intensity Me

by Andrew Chalk One of my earliest encounters with Pedernales Cellars  was on June 11th, 2016 when I organised a ‘mega-tasting’ of 19 Texas Viognier . Pedernales Cellars 2012 Viognier Reserve, Texas High Plains  emerged the winner. Later that year, at another mega tasting, but of Texas tempranillo , Pedernales Cellars 2011 Tempranillo, Reserve, Texas  beat out 22 other contenders to win the top prize. In both cases the judges were sommeliers, educated palates, and they tasted

by Andrew Chalk If you like a good-value Pinot Noir then Cedar_Salmon is an Oregon producer that is always worth a look. This release is widely available now in time for holiday celebrations. Expect it to pair with a wide range of food. DETAILED TASTING NOTES NAME: Cedar+Salmon, 2023 Pinot Noir, Willamette Vallley, OR COMMENTS APPEARANCE Clarity clear Intensity Medium Color Ruby NOSE Condition clean Intensity Medium-plus Aroma Characteristics Raspberry, savory notes, forest f

by Andrew Chalk On a long weekend trip to the Hill Country last week I stopped in at the spectacular building that houses Michael Ros Winery  at the invitation of Tasting Room manager Ron Moore. Winemaker Tim Drake was taking a cruise, after a tough harvest season but he has just released two interesting wines that were not available on my May trip. The Envisage 2022  is their Bordeaux blend. Cabernet Sauvignon 36%, Merlot 43%, and Malbec 21%. Full-bodied with stout tannins,

FROM THE WIRES... Imagine this scene: friends and family gathered, laughter filling the air, and the delicate bubbles of  Campo Viejo Cava Brut   (SRP $13) dancing in their glasses. In Europe, Cava is more than a celebratory toast; it's a versatile partner, elegantly savored from the initial refreshing aperitivo through dinner and festive lunches. Its vibrant acidity and lively fruit notes make it an excellent pairing for a wide range of cuisine. As the holiday season draws

Seasonal Crudo FROM THE WIRES... Downtown Dallas’ sky-high dining destination introduces autumn flavors, indulgent brunch favorites, and a reimagined Afternoon Tea DALLAS, TEXAS  (October 23, 2025) – Mirador , perched above Forty Five Ten with sweeping views of downtown Dallas, is celebrating the flavors of fall with refreshed weekday lunch , indulgent Saturday brunch,  and a reimagined Modern Afternoon Tea . Highlights include chef-driven seasonal dishes, a prix fixe lunch m

FROM THE WIRES... Oregon Named 2026 Featured Region at the Rodeo Uncorked! International Wine Competition   Oregon Wine Board celebrates 211 award-winning Oregon wines honored at the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo (HLSR)   Portland, Ore. — (November 24, 2025) —  The Oregon Wine Board (OWB) , the statewide organization supporting Oregon’s wine community, is proud to announce that Oregon has been selected as the 2026 featured region for the Rodeo Uncorked! International Wine Co

2025 wines made with optically-sorted grapes ready to sniff by Andrew Chalk The great thing about visiting Inwood Estates Vineyards  is that owner/winemaker Dan Gatlin is a factory of innovative ideas around the quest to make better wine out of Texas grapes. These  innovations have included him adopting high altitude vineyards in the Texas High Plains. Being one of the first wineries in the United States to order new cabernet sauvignon and merlot clones out of Bordeaux Univer

by Andrew Chalk This family Piedmonte producer has created a solid example of Barolo with this wine. Producer notes are: TASTING NOTES NAME: Josetta Saffirio 2020 Barolo, DOCG Del Commune Di Monforte D'Alba COMMENTS APPEARANCE Clarity clear Intensity Medium Color Garnet NOSE Condition clean Intensity Medium Aroma Characteristics Cooked red fruit (strawberry), leather, violets, black pepper. PALATE Sweetness dry Acidity Medium plus Tannin medium, green, coarse Alcohol medium B

by Andrew Chalk The town square in the picturesque North Texas town of Gainesville  was turned into a wine festival this last Saturday. North Texas Wine Country , the organisation of wineries in the north of our state took over with 16 member wineries setting up booths on three sides of the square from noon to six to serve tastings of some of their best wines.  By the time I arrived at 3pm it was truly hopping with lines at every booth, food vendors serving barbeque and other

by Andrew Chalk I have tasted many wines out of the Rodney Strong stable over the past few years but I say conclusively that this is the one that I have enjoyed the most. It takes the prodigious cabernet sauvignon grape and vinifies it into a wine that has everything going on but nothing out of control. Some would use the word balanced. I would say that all the edges have been honed smooth so the final edifice has a definite form, but not an incongruous one.  TASTING IMPRESSI

FROM THE WIRES... News provided by Suntory Global Spirits Oct 28, 2025, 09:00 ET Each barrel was hand-selected for its distinctive flavor and balance, resulting in a bourbon as rare and bold in character as it is in age CLERMONT, Ky., Oct. 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, the James B. Beam Distilling Co., home of the The Small Batch Bourbon Collection™, marks a historic moment with the release of Knob Creek ® 21 Year Old, the oldest expression to be released from the distiller

A Line of Premium of Zero-Proof Spirits For the Occasion FROM THE WIRES... October 20, 2025 – Dallas, TX : Dynasty Spirits , a leading independent spirits company, is thrilled to announce the official launch of Teaspoon , the brand’s first line of non-alcoholic beverages. Debuting with four expressions: Whiskey, Tequila, Gin and Italian Spritz, Teaspoon enters the zero proof, high impact beverage space as a new standard for today’s modern drinker.   Founded by Devin Odell,

by Andrew Chalk What does a winemaker want to do after planting a vineyard from scratch and building a winery? For many, it is to write about the most strenuous, extenuating and ambitious venture of their life. For Dan McLaughlin, winemaker, grower and principal of Robert Clay Vineyards  it was to collaborate with his son, Blake, and Google’s AI assistant, Gemini  to actually write music, a song named No Eagle’s Shadow , to capture their experience.  And you won’t find the st

FROM THE WIRES... For holiday gift guide and seasonal coverage consideration, introducing you to Tequila Centinela , a line of authentic, additive-free luxury Añejo tequilas. Celebrated as a ‘Guardian of True Tequila’ since 1904, Tequila Centinela offers a rare taste of Mexico with its renowned aged expressions, traditionally crafted in one of the world’s largest tequila barrel-aging cellars For a thoughtful present, crafted with the same care it’s gifted with, try Centinela

by Andrew Chalk Here is something reassuring: Assess yuor recipients this holiday season and then choose how much you should spend on a bottle of Tequila. There is likely a product out there to suit you. Let's go through the list from expressions suitable for a distant acquaintance up to one that is suitable to gift to ( e.g.) me. Dulce Vida Organic Blanco Tequila  – This 100% organic Blue Weber agave spirit from Dulce Vida Tequila offers a bright citrus aroma balanced with

FROM THE WIRES... HEALDSBURG, CA – November 4 th , 2025 – This holiday season, Rodney Strong Vineyards is spreading cheer with an exciting new promotion: the chance to win a trip to the Healdsburg Wine & Food Experience in May 2026. Wine lovers across the country are invited to enter for their opportunity to attend this world-class celebration of Sonoma County’s rich culinary and winemaking heritage. Three grand prize winners will each receive an unforgettable trip, valued

by Andrew Chalk Fogo de Chao corporate must be reducing the quality of the meat they buy. Tonight, at the Dallas McKinney Avenue location, the top sirloin (alcatra) and the garlic steak were both like Kevlar. Either the kitchen did not test and reject them, or they just didn’t care. The picanha (top sirloin) was not as resistant to the South Atlantic weather, but it was too chewy for how it is supposed to be. Likewise, the filet mignon was tough, sub-Choice grade. And this is

FROM THE WIRES... DALLAS/FORT WORTH, Texas (October 29, 2025) –  As Texas temperatures cool off, participating DQ® restaurants in Texas are serving up the ultimate comfort meal with the return of Chicken & Dumplings. This hearty classic combines tender chicken, savory gravy, and soft, fluffy dumplings for a meal filled with nostalgic flavors that feel like home. Perfect for crisp fall days, it's a delicious way to warm up and embrace the Lone Star State's cold-weather traditi

FROM THE WIRES... 158-year-old heritage brand refines visual identity, preserves iconic elements reflecting global leadership in premium olive oil LYNDHURST, N.J. – Oct. 9, 2025 – Filippo Berio, the internationally renowned olive oil brand with 158 years of heritage, has launched a comprehensive redesign across its entire line of legacy olive oils with a new premium look. The enhanced visual identity represents a natural evolution in the brand's packaging, with a design that

FROM THE WIRES... Anderson Valley completes harvest for the 2025 “Winemaker’s Vintage” Anderson Valley, CA — October 17, 2025 –  The Anderson Valley Winegrowers Association (AVWA) has officially concluded its 2025 harvest and published the “2025 Winemaker’s Vintage Harvest Report” , making the Mendocino County appellation among the first in California to bring in the last of its fruit this season. Despite a cool, slow-moving year that tested patience and timing, growers and w

Tens of thousands of finance-sector workers are moving to Dallas. by Andrew Chalk Hospitality was the worst hit sector by COVID. Since then, it has come back but the chef or family-owned sector has clearly lagged the better capitalized corporate sector. That may all be about to change. Wall Street, the New York City financial sector, is moving almost wholesale to Texas, and Dallas is getting more of it than the rest of Texas put together. The jobs are across the scale but dis

By Andrew Chalk Any lovers of sparkling wine, especially of Champagne and other sparkling wines made in the same style (known as Metodo Classico in Italain) will find this wine an interesting, approachable change of taste. Recommended. FROM THE WIRES Ventiventi Rosé , made from Lambrusco di Sorbara , is a tribute to finesse: its delicate aromas of flowers and red fruits meet a bold savoriness, delivering a dynamic, food-friendly sip. Ventiventi, founded by the Razzaboni fam

FROM THE WIRES... WOODFORD RESERVE ELEVATES HOLIDAY SEASON  WITH BOTTLE DESIGNED BY FASHION BRAND MARKARIAN A perfect gift for the season October 15, 2025 (VERSAILLES, KY) — Woodford Reserve is elevating the holiday season with the release of its 2025 holiday bottle, featuring artwork created by fashion designer Alexandra O’Neill, founder of the luxury brand Markarian.  The design captures Markarian’s signature aesthetic while embracing the festive spirit of the season—effort

FROM THE WIRES... "There's nothing quite like a backyard BBQ to capture the season's easygoing spirit. Grilling brings people together, sparks conversation, and pairs beautifully with great wine," said Kathleen Murphy, Vice President of Marketing, Raeburn Winery. Sourced from exceptional Sonoma County vineyards, every bottle of Raeburn reflects the region's warmth and natural beauty, bringing bold flavors and laid-back sophistication to late summer gatherings. The bright Sono

FROM THE WIRES... Rombauer 2024 Carneros Chardonnay ( SRP $42 ): Balanced and lively, Rombauer’s Chardonnay is the benchmark for a classic California Chardonnay.  The ripe yellow peach and chamomile aromas combined with the nectarine flavors create a lovely finish, so it’s no wonder this wine makes for the perfect gift for anyone on your reader’s list. Sample.

FROM THE WIRES... Polenta Toast at Birdy’s Behind The Bower With soft-shell crab in season through late November, Birdy’s is offering a polenta-based “toast” topped with Abita-beer battered soft-shell crabs, cotija cheese and hot sauce. Address: 1320 Magazine Street, New Orleans, LA 70130 Website: www.birdysnola.com

FROM THE WIRES... This season, apples are taking over (from TikTok feeds to fall farmers’ markets) and Tequila Corralejo  is bringing the trend to life in a spirited way with their Apple Cider Margarita .   Perfect for cozy nights in, Friendsgiving spreads, or holiday entertaining, this festive cocktail pairs the crisp sweetness of apple cider with Tequila Corralejo Reposado, finished with citrus and spice.   Apple Cider Margarita Recipe   1.5 oz Tequila Corralejo Reposado 3

FROM THE WIRES... At Anaba Wines, every bottle tells a story, but none more profoundly than the inaugural vintage of  La Colline, Proprietary Red, Sonoma County, 2022 (SRP $84) launching this fall. This isn't just a wine; it's the culmination of a lifelong passion and a defining chapter in Anaba's journey. Winemaker Katy Wilson has dedicated more than a decade sourcing just the right Sonoma mountain vineyards, creating a wine that honors proprietor John Sweazey’s vision, wit

FROM THE WIRES... BIRDY'S, NEW ORLEANS

Chip by Andrew Chalk Dear Nick: I love your Fish 'n Chips, and especially your commitment to keep using cod despite it just going up 25% in price (per your email). The problem is that as I drive past one of your pop-up locations this: does not sound an alarm, take over the steering of my car, and park me next to your truck, 'Chip'. If it did, you could generate a lot more business. Fortunately, what human intelligence lacks, AI, in the shape of chatGPT, can do in about one mi

by Andrew Chalk TASTING NOTES NAME: Domaine St. Laurent, 2023 Pinot Noir, Rogue Valley, OR COMMENTS APPEARANCE Clarity clear Intensity...

by Andrew Chalk I tasted this example from the extensive Papapietro Perry Pinot Noir range and I'm a convert too. Soft, yet complex, ready to drink. Savory and earthy on the palate, and enrapturing just quaffed slowly. Versatile and outgoing with lots of foods. Try duck, chicken, pork chops, pasta with red or white sauces, even salmon. It will inspire you to scan their web site for the nine other expressions of Pinot Noir that they make. Plus, their Chardonnay! Here is what

by Andrew Chalk

FROM THE WIRES... Martini Extra Dry ( SRP $19.99 ): Martini’s Extra Dry vermouth is a crucial ingredient for any bar cart. The...

FROM THE WIRES... As the holiday season approaches, Symington Family Estates, the iconic five generation Port producer located in Porto,...

by Andrew Chalk At a past Wine Writer's Symposium the excellent Cyril Penn led a session on (paraphrasing) "Should Wine Writers Write Wine Industry Articles" . I was almost the only person in the room who said 'no'. Wine writers got into the game for the romance of the wineyard, the aroma of new French oak, etc. I asked, only partly rhetorically, who could tackle the question "Who Paid The Tariffs?" (referring to the Airbus-Boeing initiated wine tariffs pre-COVID). Now, a to

FROM THE WIRES... “ Tell them stories. They need the truth you must tell them true stories, and everything will be well, just tell them...

2020 image shown. 2022 was the vintage tasted. by Andrew Chalk Elegant, floral nose (roses), red fruit aromas (cherries, raspberries) on an earthy frame with velvety tannins. Delightful now, or will keep 3-5 years. TECHNICAL NOTES FROM THE WINEMAKER PRESENTATION Mercurey's name refers to an ancient temple built by the Romans to honour the god Mercury. With its surface area of 1,600 acres, 85 "village" appellations and 32 Premier Crus, Mercurey is the largest appellation in th

Suizas de Pollo by Andrew Chalk The Mexican , nestled in Dallas’s dynamic Design District, boasts a packed parking lot by 7 PM on a...

FROM THE WIRES... This is quite a special release.... New England icon meets Ivy prep, but makes it durable, utilitarian, and practical….  On Tuesday, October 7th   Steele Canvas Basket, the century-old American manufacturer of home, travel and lifestyle goods, will release it's first-ever holiday capsule collection   exclusively at SteeleCanvas.com and introduce a deep Auburn red tone to the timeless, trusted world of Steele Canvas Basket. These structured and tough duck