With the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo™ International Wine Competition only weeks away (held in early November), it’s time to start gearing up for the two major Rodeo Uncorked! Events: Roundup & Best Bites and the Champion Wine Auction & Dinner.
Roundup & Best Bites Competition will be held Sunday, Feb. 17, 2019, in NRG Center. This is one of the largest gourmet food and wine events in the world, and features award-winning wines from the International Wine Competition, including the Grand Champion and Reserve Grand Champion wines, paired with a sampling of signature dishes from Houston restaurants, chefs, caterers and food trucks.
During the 2018 event, guests had an opportunity to taste 452 winning wines from the Competition, which boasted a record 3,188 entries from 18 different countries. For “foodies,” there were signature dishes from 101 of the area’s culinary experts. From these dishes, a panel of celebrity judges determined winners for Outstanding Showmanship Award, Tasty Traditions Award, Trailblazing Appetizer/Starter Award, Lone Star Entrée Award, Two-Steppin’ Dessert Award, Rookie Award and Trail Boss Food Truck Award. The nearly 6,000 people in attendance selected a crowd-favorite for the People’s Choice Award.
Tickets for Roundup & Best Bites Competition are available from members of the Wine Sales Committee. Premium Tables (for 10 people) are $2,500; Reserved Tables (for 10 people) are $2,000; and Individual Tickets are $165 per person.
Following the Roundup & Best Bites Competition, champion wines will be auctioned at the Rodeo Uncorked! Champion Wine Auction & Dinner, Sunday, Feb. 24 at NRG Center. This is an exciting way to kick off the Rodeo season, which runs Feb. 25 – March 17, 2019. The evening will begin with a hospitality hour, which includes a silent auction featuring unique wines, unforgettable trips and other great items. From there, guests will move into the ballroom for a seated dinner complemented by champion wines. After dinner, the excitement begins, with participants bidding on champion wines from the 2019 International Wine Competition. Proceeds benefit the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.
This year’s auction will include the Grand Champion Best of Show, Reserve Grand Champion Best of Show, Top Texas Wine, Top Sparkling Wine, Top White Wine, Top Red Wine, Top Region Wine, Top Dessert Wine, Top Value Wine, Top All-Around Winery, Top Region Wine Company, Top Wine Company and Top Texas Winery. The featured wine region for 2019 is the California Central Coast, which stretches approximately 250 miles along the state’s coastline from San Francisco County in the north to Santa Barbara County in the south, averaging about 25 miles in width.
Auction tables (seats 10) are available for $6,000, $9,000, $12,000 and $25,000. The total table price may be applied toward your live auction bids. For additional information, email, [email protected].
“These great events are an integral part of how our volunteer wine committees help further the Show’s mission promoting agriculture through the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo,” said J W Daubert, officer in charge of the Wine Committees. “Please join us at any or all of them to show your support.”
The Rodeo Uncorked! Roundup & Best Bites Competition and the Champion Wine Auction & Dinner are just the beginning of tasting opportunities for wine aficionados. A selection of the champion wines will be available for tasting, by the glass and bottle, throughout the run of the Rodeo, Feb. 25 – March 17, in the 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. Enjoy live music daily beginning at 4 p.m. on weekdays and 12 p.m. on weekends. Educational seminars are available in the Champion Wine Garden, ranging from $45 to $75 per person. For more information on the Champion Wine Garden, click here.
