2012 HOUSTON LIVESTOCK SHOW AND RODEO

RODEO UNCORKED! ROUNDUP AND BEST

BITES AWARDS FEB. 20, 2012 HOUSTON FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE A sold-out crowd of
more than 4,000 wine and food enthusiasts filled Reliant Center at the 2012 Rodeo Uncorked! Roundup and
Best Bites Competition Feb. 19, 2012. The event included the tasting of the 2012 Rodeo Uncorked! International
Wine Competition champion wines, as well as a food sampling and competition featuring area restaurants and
catering institutions.
The 2012 International Wine Competition had 2,454 wines entered from 736 wineries in Texas, across the
United States and 20 countries, with 1,817 medals awarded by 18 panels of judges, consisting of local, national
and international wine experts.
2012 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo International Wine Competition Champions:
Grand Champion Best of Show Marchesi Antinori Srl Guado al Tasso, Bolgheri, 2007
Reserve Grand Champion Best of Show CeIIarCoslersdeIRosLObiIaIrioral
Top Texas Wine Messina Hof Solera, Texas, 2004
Top French Wine Vincent Girardin Pouilly Fuisse, Vieilles Vignes, Pouilly Fuisse, 2009
Top All-Around Winery Francis Coppola Winery, Nappa Valley
Top Wine Company Trinchero Family Estate
Top Sparkling Wine Laetitia Vineyard & Winery Brut Rose, Arroyo Grande Valley, 2007
Top White Wine Marchesi Antinori Srl Castello della Sala Estate Cervano della Sala, Umbria, 2009
Top Red Wine Niner Wine Estates Twisted Spur, Paso Robles, 2008
Top Sweet Wine HardysWhiskersSoulhIaslernAuslraIiaNV
Top Value Wine Red Diamond Winery Cabernet Sauvignon, Washington State, 2008
While pleasing their palates with award-winning wines, attendees also tasted and cast votes in the Best Bites
Competition:
2012 Best Bites Competition Winners
Popular Choice Award
First Place Royers Round Top Caf Assorted Handmade Caf Pies
Second Place Hasta La Pasta Italian Grill Savory Risotto Cake with Aged Beef Tenderloin
Trailblazing Appetizer/Entre Award
First Place Valentino Vin Bar Slow Smoked Flank Steak with Fregola and Smoky Tomato Demiglace
Second Place Straits Asian Bistro and Lounge Braised Singaporean Spice Short Rib Rendang
Third Place Beaucoup Bar & Grill BBQ Shrimp and Grits
Two-Stepping Bread/Cheese/Dessert Award
First Place Veldhuizen Cheese Raw Milk Artisan Cheese
Second Place Ooh La La Dessert Boutique Blackberry Pie Bars
ChairmansAvard
Tasso Bite with Celery Jam and Goat Cheese on Brioche Toast Houston Community College, Central,
Culinary Students
All champion wines will be auctioned at the Rodeo Uncorked! Champion Wine Auction, Saturday, March 3,
2012, at 5:30 p.m., in Reliant Center, 600 series meeting rooms. A separate ticket is required for the auction and
dinner.
A selection of winning wines will be available for tasting, or by the glass and bottle, throughout the run of the
Show, Feb. 28 to March 18, in the Rodeo Uncorked! Champion Wine Garden, located in Carruth Plaza. In
addition to live music, the Champion Wine Garden offers a variety of educational wine seminars for $30 or $50
per person.
DuringlheWorIdsChamionshiar-B-Que Contest, the Champion Wine Garden, located next to The
RockinQSaIoon, will be open Thursday and Friday, Feb. 23 24, 5 to 11 p.m., and Saturday, Feb. 25, 2 to 11
p.m.
Starting Feb. 28, the Champion Wine Garden in Carruth Plaza is open Monday through Friday, 4 to 11 p.m.;
Saturdays, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.; and Sundays, noon to 10 p.m.
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 approximately $283 million to the youth of Texas. For tickets and more information,
visit www.rodeohouston.com.

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