Yep, that’s me, your VineSleuth, chatting it up with Houston wine LEGEND Bear Dalton of Spec’s at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo’s Rodeo Uncorked Roundup and Best Bites competition event just over a week ago.
There were hundreds of medal-winning wines from the international wine competition to taste alongside delicious bites from some of Houston’s best restaurants. I have to admit that navigating the camera, wine glass and plate was a bit challenging, so you’ll just have to take my word on how everything was. I went in thinking I would take notes on what I was tasting, but that was quickly abandoned.
Although the event was sold out and definitely busy, the lines at each table were very short or nonexistent. This was the perfect opportunity to try new wines I had never explored and also enjoy a few favorites.
Sure, it was tempting to walk by a favorite wine and want to grab a taste, but there were so many wines there that were new to me. My philosophy for the night was that if I had not heard of it or tasted it before then, I made a beeline for that bottle. And I definitely ended up tasting my share of new-to-me wines.
One of my new faves from the night was the Finca Constancia, Tierra De Castilla, a Spanish red blend of Tempranillo, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Graciano, Garnaca, Sauvignon Blanc and Verdejo.
I also came across two (medal-winning) wines poured that are featured in Dinner and Wine for $20 or Less, my FREE ebook for subscribers through February 29, which was pretty exciting. (Subscribe to VineSleuth Uncorked and download the ebook today so you’ll know what to make for dinner the rest of the week– and what wines to pour!!)
And the food? That was amazing, too. Some of my favorite offerings came from Taste of Texas, Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steak House, and Sullivan’s Steakhouse. I especially enjoyed the Pulled Pork BBQ on a sweet potato pancake offered by TableOne at Houston’s Intercontinental Hotel. The pork had a serious kick to it that was soothed by the Joel Gott Riesling I picked up around the corner. They were a perfect combination in my book!
The best thing I have to share with you, though, is that Rodeo Uncorked my be over, but the tasting (and fun) continues.
The Wine Garden at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo is pouring champion wines every day through the end of the rodeo, March 18.
You can taste winning wines from all over the world by the taste, glass or bottle all in a casual setting while listening to live music (on most days). And what’s better than that? Well, I’ve got something else…
If you’d like to delve into the wines, consider signing up for one of the seminars which will be hosted in the Wine Garden. The seminars rage from “Carnival Food and Wine” to “Cabernet and Cowboys,” to “Swanky Bubbles,” and everything in between. I have been assured that in attending the seminars, you do get a generous taste of all the wines discussed.
Here’s the list wine seminars offered in the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Champion Wine Garden:
- Fabulous French Wines
- Cabernet and Cowboys
- Winning Winemaker
- Swanky Bubbles
- Texas Trails
- Food and Wine Pairing
- Pinot Noirs Around the World
- Reserve Wines
- BBQ and Wine
- Carnival Food and Wine
Check the schedule for times and prices.
I have to admit, the one about carnival food and wine is really tempting…. but so is the bubbles one… and then there is the one on food and wine paring! Oh, how will I decide!??!
Giddyup, Y’all!
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