Local food and wine enthusiasts gathered on the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo grounds Sunday evening for the Rodeo Uncorked! Roundup and Best Bites Competition, which featured dishes from 106 Houston restaurants, chefs, caterers and food trucks paired with winning wines from the 2018 Rodeo Uncorked! International Wine Competition.
New for 2018, the Best Bites Competition featured five Houston-area food trucks competing for the first-ever title of Trail Boss Grand Champion. Food trucks were also eligible to compete in the People’s Choice Award which was determined by the nearly 6,000 guests in attendance.
THE 2018 BEST BITES WINNERS ARE:
Outstanding Showmanship Award
- Grand Champion – Brothers Produce
- Reserve Grand Champion – Popfancy Pops
People’s Choice Award
- Grand Champion – Killen’s – Beef Ribs
- Reserve Grand Champion – Taste of Texas – Certified Angus Beef Tenderloin
Tasty Traditions Award
- Grand Champion – Ooh La La the Dessert Boutique – Corn Flake Cookie
- Reserve Grand Champion – Texas de Brazil – Flank Steak with Chimichurri Sauce and Mashed Potatoes
Trailblazing Appetizer/Starter Award
- Grand Champion – Snooze an AM Eatery – Pork Belly on a Tortilla with Mango Pico de Gallo
- Reserve Grand Champion – Brennan’s of Houston – Tasso and Grit Dumpling with NOLA Barbeque Shrimp
- Third Place – EurAsia Fusion Sushi – Pepper Tuna Crab
Lone Star Entrée Award
- Grand Champion – Killen’s – Beef Ribs
- Reserve Grand Champion – Texas de Brazil – Flank Steak with Chimichurri Sauce and Mashed Potatoes
- Third Place – Brio Tuscan Grille – Balsamic Braised Beef with Smoked Gouda, Polenta and Brussel Sprouts
Two-Steppin’ Dessert Award
- Grand Champion – Killen’s STQ – Maple Bacon Bread Pudding
- Reserve Grand Champion – Popfancy Pops – Cereal Pops
- Third Place – Ooh La La the Dessert Boutique – Corn Flake Cookie
Rookie Award
- Popfancy Pops – Cereal Pops
Trail Boss Food Truck Award (new for 2018)
- Breaking Bao – The Hot Jam Bao
During the event, each dish could be paired with one of 452 complimentary, champion wines selected from the 2018 Rodeo Uncorked! International Wine Competition.
This year, the International Wine Competition judging included a record 3,188 entries from 18 different countries, including Argentina, Austria, Chile, France, Italy, Japan, Portugal and South Africa. The 2018 featured region, Northern Spain — specifically the wine growing regions of Rioja, Navarra, Priorat, Ribera de Duero, Rueda, Rias Baixas, Valdeorras and Cava — received 212 entries. Texas wineries represented 420 entries.
THE CHAMPION WINES ARE:
- Grand Champion Best of Show – J. Lohr Vineyards Signature Cabernet Sauvignon, Paso Robles, 2014
- Reserve Grand Champion Best of Show – Ram’s Gate Chardonnay, Hyde Vineyard, Carneros, 2013
- Top Texas Wine – Llano Estacado Viviano Cabernet Sauvignon-Sangiovese, Texas, 2015
- Top Sparkling Wine – Beau Joie Brut Rosé, Champagne AOC, NV
- Top White Wine – Dr. Loosen Riesling Spätlese, Wehlener Sonnenuhr, Mosel, 2015
- Top Red Wine – Ram’s Gate Pinot Noir, Gap’s Crown Vineyard, Sonoma Coast, 2013
- Top Region Wine – Ramon Bilbao Gran Reserva, Rioja DOCa, 2009
- Top Sweet Wine – Inniskillin Vidal Icewine, Niagara Penninsula VQA, 2015
- Top Value Wine – McManis Family Vineyards Petite Sirah, California, 2016
- Top All-Around Winery – J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines
- Top Region Wine Company – Europvin USA
- Top Wine Company – Constellation Brands, Inc.
- Top Texas Winery – Bending Branch Winery
All of the champion wines featured during the event will be auctioned at the Rodeo Uncorked! Champion Wine Auction, Sunday, Feb. 25.
A selection of the champion wines will be available for tasting, by the glass and bottle, throughout the run of the Rodeo, Feb. 27 through March 18, 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 1 p.m. on weekends. Educational seminars are available in the Champion Wine Garden, ranging from $45 to $65 per person. To learn more and to view the 2018 entertainment schedule, visit rodeohouston.com/Visit-the-Rodeo/Attractions-Activities/Wine-Garden.