1.   Bordeaux wine producers were guardedly optimistic despite an unusually rainy and chilly spring and summer that took their toll at many estates.

2.   His easy on-camera manner is part of the picture as he finds reason to remain optimistic despite frustrations with what he sees as our diminished leadership.

3.   Jason Mark of Global Exchange said he remains optimistic despite the lack of response from Gap officials.

4.   One top Gore strategist said the vice president remained optimistic despite notes of retreat from within his own party.

5.   Amr Moussa, who meets regularly with Syrian officials, was optimistic despite the problems.

6.   He said he was optimistic despite new immigration laws that make it more difficult for illegal immigrants to remain in the United States.

7.   Later, Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretien sounded optimistic despite the remaining obstacles.

8.   Kohl said he was optimistic despite difficult talks with Russian President Boris Yeltsin outside Moscow over the weekend.

9.   Today, they are optimistic despite their anger that the peso is worth half what it was six months ago.

10.   We are optimistic despite the fact that capital investment was very high.