2016 Rodeo Uncorked Roundup and Best Bites Competition

The sold-out Rodeo Uncorked! Roundup and Best Bites Competition featured award-winning wines and decadent dishes from 102 distinguished Houston restaurants, chefs, and caterers for thousands of eager guests.

The 2016 International Wine Competition judging boasted nearly 2,500 entries from approximately 20 different countries, including Chile, Croatia, France, New Zealand, and Portugal. The competition also received 181 entries from the 2016 featured region, the Pacific Northwest, which includes the wine-making regions of Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and British Columbia.

Texas wineries alone represented 267 entries. As a reminder the Top Texas Wine was the Pedernales Cellars Viognier 2014. All the Texas winery winners can be found at a previous post.

The 2016 Best Bites winners are:

Outstanding Showmanship Award
Grand Champion – Davis Street at Hermann Park

Reserve Grand Champion – Squash Blossom Catering

Third Place – Houston Texans Grille

People’s Choice Award
Grand Champion – Royers Round Top Café

Reserve Grand Champion – Grazia Italian Kitchen

Tasty Traditions Award­­
Grand Champion – Joyce’s Seafood & Steaks

Trailblazing Appetizer/Starter Award
Grand Champion – Max’s Wine Dive: fried oysters over wonton crisp

Reserve Grand Champion – Federal Grill: truffled beef carpaccio

Third Place – Sonoma Wine Bar & Restaurant: all-natural pork-and-beef meatballs, kale, fresh mozzarella cheese, sweet tomato broth and rustic baguette

Lone Star Entrée Award
Grand Champion – Grazia Italian Kitchen: smoked beef short rib served over pancetta risotto, topped with a cilantro molasses glaze

Reserve Grand Champion – Newk’s Eatery: pimento and bacon mac and cheese

Third Place – Taste of Texas: beef tenderloin

Two-Steppin’ Dessert Award
Grand Champion – Trentino Gelato: gelato pops

Reserve Grand Champion – Joyce’s Seafood & Steaks: white chocolate bread pudding

Third Place – Mostly Chocolate & Catering: truffles

Rookie Award
Grazia Italian Kitchen

All champion wines will be auctioned at the Rodeo Uncorked! Champion Wine Auction, Sunday, Feb. 28, 2016. A selection of the champion wines will be available for tasting, by the glass and bottle, throughout the run of the Show, March 1 through 20, in the Rodeo Uncorked! Champion Wine Garden, located in Carruth Plaza. Times are Monday through Thursday, 4 to 11 p.m.; Fridays, 4 p.m. to midnight; Saturdays, 11 a.m. to midnight; and Sundays, noon to 10 p.m. For more information on event times, visit rodeohouston.com/Events/RodeoUncorked.

Enjoy the photos of the Texas wineries with representatives at the Best Bites along with some of the “best bites.” (Click for a gallery of larger photos)