This evening, the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo announced winners from the 2022 Rodeo Uncorked!® International Wine Competition, in honor of Charles M. “Bear” Dalton, held Nov. 12 – 14 at NRG Center. J. Lohr Vineyards Cuvee PAU Red, Paso Robles, 2017 was awarded the top honor of Grand Champion Best of Show. The Reserve Grand Champion Best of Show was awarded to Nice Winery Cabernet Franc, Paicines, 2018.
This 19th annual competition was held in honor of Dalton, founding member of the annual wine competition, as well as the Rodeo’s five wine committees. This year’s competition featured 2,862 entries from 17 countries, including France, Spain, Italy, Israel, Peru, Argentina and South Africa. Of those entries, 480 entries were from Texas wineries, and 203 entries came from this year’s featured region, Washington State, an established wine-growing region with a reputation for excellence in wine production.
“The wine industry is a vital sector of Texas agriculture, which is why we are incredibly proud to host one of the largest international wine competitions in the country, as it further supports our mission of promoting agriculture,” said Rodeo President and CEO Chris Boleman.
The 2022 Rodeo Uncorked! International Wine Competition champions included:
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- GRAND CHAMPION BEST OF SHOW J. Lohr Vineyards Cuvee PAU Red, Paso Robles, 2017
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- RESERVE GRAND CHAMPION BEST OF SHOW Nice Winery Cabernet Franc, Paicines, 2018
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- TOP RED WINE Three Sticks Pinot Noir, Gap’s Crown Vineyard, Sonoma Coast, 2019
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- TOP WHITE WINE Ruffino Italian Orvieto Classico DOC, 2020
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- TOP SPARKLING WINE Meiomi Sparkling Rosé, North Coast, 2020
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- TOP DESSERT WINE Pillitteri Estates Winery Vidal Icewine, Niagara On The Lake VQA, 2019
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- TOP VALUE WINE Apothic Merlot, California, 2019
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- TOP REGION WINE Revelry Vintners Limited Edition Reveler Red, Columbia Valley, 2018
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- TOP TEXAS WINE Hye Meadow Winery Boooom Red, Texas High Plains, 2017s
- Top Wine Company– E&J Gallo Winery
- Top Region Wine Company– Ste Michelle Wine Estates
- Top All-Around Winery– J. Lohr Vineyards
- Top Texas Winery– Becker Vineyards
Award-winning wines from the competition will be paired with gourmet dishes at the 2022 Rodeo Uncorked! Roundup & Best Bites Competition, Feb. 20, and will be sold at the 2022 Champion Wine Auction & Dinner, Feb. 27. A selection of the Class Champion, Reserve Class Champions and medal-winning wines will also be available for purchase in the Rodeo Uncorked! Champion Wine Garden, presented by Frost Bank, during the 2022 Rodeo, scheduled for Feb. 28 – March 20.
Additionally, the top-performing Texas wineries will also be invited to participate in Texas Wine Celebration Day in the Champion Wine Garden, March 3. For more information on Rodeo Uncorked! events, visit rodeohouston.com/wine.