2014 Rodeo Uncorked! Roundup and Best Bites Competition

The 2014 Rodeo Uncorked! Roundup and Best Bites Competition was held on February 23rd. Guests delighted in food from distinguished Houston restaurants and award-winning wines from the Rodeo Uncorked! International Wine Competition to celebrate the upcoming Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.

In November, more than 2,500 bottles of wine were judged, including entries from 40 Texas wineries and 16 different countries. A panel of 100 judges, consisting of wine experts, collectors and knowledgeable consumers, sipped and studied all entries, ultimately awarding medals to more than 2,000 wines. The champion wines are:

Grand Champion Best of Show – Marchesi Antinori Guado al Tasso, Bolgheri DOC Superiore, 2009

Reserve Grand Champion Best of Show – Sonoma Cutrer Vineyards Estate Bottled Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley, 2010

Top Texas Wine – Bending Branch Winery Estate Tannat, Texas Hill Country, 2011

Top Country Wine (Chile) – La Playa Vineyards Axel Cabernet Sauvignon, Colchagua Valley, 2011

Top All‐Around Winery – Michael~David Winery

Top Wine Company – Trinchero Family Estates

Top Sparkling Wine – Sophora Sparkling Rosé, New Zealand, NV

Top White Wine – Sheldrake Point Riesling, Finger Lakes, 2011

Top Red Wine – Fess Parker Winery The Big Easy, Santa Barbara County, California, 2011

Top Sweet Wine – Sheldrake Point Riesling Ice Wine, Finger Lakes, 2010

Top Value Wine – Vigilance Red Blend “Cimarron,” Red Hills, Lake County, California, 2011

Best Bites competition contenders did not disappoint as Houston’s top restaurant chefs and caterers presented their spreads of treats to an eager audience. The 2014 Best Bites winners are:

Popular Choice Award
First Place – Chocolate Pizazz
Second Place – Royer’s Round Top Café

Two-Stepping Bread/Cheese/Dessert Award
First Place – pineapple habanero, Cacao & Cardamom Chocolates
Second Place – white chocolate bread pudding, Ooh La La Dessert Boutique

Trailblazing Appetizer/Entrée Award
First Place – wild boar chili, Haven, A Seasonal Kitchen
Second Place – momma’s meatballs, Mario’s Seawall Italian Restaurant
Third Place – bison burgers and freshly made french fries with chaat masala, Kiran’s

Showmanship Award
First Place – Catering to Your Taste Buds
Second Place – Mister French’s Gourmet Bakery

Rookie Award
chocolate truffles, Chocolate Punch

Tasty Traditions Award
momma’s meatballs, Mario’s Seawall Italian Restaurant

All champion wines will be auctioned at the Rodeo Uncorked! Champion Wine Auction, Saturday, March 2, 2014.

A selection of the champion wines will be available for tasting, by the glass and bottle, throughout the run of the Show, March 4 through 23, in the Rodeo Uncorked! Champion Wine Garden, located in Carruth Plaza. Times are Monday through Thursday, 4 to 11 p.m.; Fridays and Saturdays, 11 a.m. to midnight; and Sundays, noon to 10 p.m. In addition to live music, the Wine Garden offers a variety of educational wine seminars with a separate ticket priced at $30 to $60 per person. Visit rodeohouston.com for more information on event times.

The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo is a Section 501(c)(3) charity that benefits youth, supports education, and facilitates better agricultural practices through exhibitions and presentation. Since its beginning in 1932, the Show has committed more than $350 million to the youth of Texas. The 2014 Show runs Tuesday, March 4, through Sunday, March 23. For tickets and more information, visit rodeohouston.com and connect with RODEOHOUSTON® online via Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, Pinterest and Tumblr for all of the latest news, or download the RODEOHOUSTON app for iPhone and Android. Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Heritage Partners are Reliant, Ford, Miller Lite, Coca-Cola, BP America and Mattress Firm.

Note: You may also be interested in all the Texas wineries who won medals at the competition.