This evening, the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo announced winners from the 2023 Rodeo Uncorked!® International Wine Competition, awarding the top honor of Grand Champion Best of Show to Le Chemin du Roi Brut, Champagne AOC, NV, exhibited by famed rapper and business mogul Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson, whose wine was previously awarded 2021 Reserve Grand Champion Best of Show. The 2023 Reserve Grand Champion Best of Show was awarded to Bernhardt Winery Antiquity Chardonnay Reserve, Danube Plain, 2020.
“The 2023 Rodeo Uncorked! International Wine Competition featured an incredible selection of wines from around the world, with Le Chemin du Roi Brut, Champagne AOC, NV, taking home the top prize as Grand Champion Best of Show,” said Chris Boleman, Rodeo president and CEO.
This year’s competition, held Nov. 11 – 13 at NRG Center, featured 3,071 entries from 18 countries, including Argentina, Bulgaria, France, Israel, Italy, South Africa and Spain. Of those entries, 531 entries were from Texas wineries, and 160 entries came from this year’s featured region, Australia.
The 2023 Rodeo Uncorked! International Wine Competition champions included:
- Grand Champion Best of Show – Le Chemin du Roi Brut, Champagne AOC, NV
- Reserve Grand Champion Best of Show – Bernhardt Winery Antiquity Chardonnay Reserve, Danube Plain, 2020
- Top Texas Wine – Becker Vineyards Barbera, Tallent Vineyards, Texas Hill Country, 2019
- Top Red Wine – Bernardus Marinus Estate Red, Carmel Valley, 2015
- Top White Wine – Chateau Saint-Roch Old Vines White, Cotes du Roussillon AOP, 2020
- Top Sparkling Wine – Champagne Nicolas Feuillatte Reserve Exclusive Brut Rosé Champagne AOC, NV
- Top Dessert Wine – Dandelion Vineyards Legacy of Australia Pedro Ximenez, Australia, NV
- Top Region Wine – Henschke Henry’s Seven Red, Barossa, 2020
- Top Value Wine – Risata Wines Moscato d’Asti DOCG, 2021
- Top Wine Company – E&J Gallo Winery
- Top Region Wine Company – Deutsch Family Wine & Spirits
- Top All-Around Winery – Becker Vineyards
- Top Texas Winery – Messina Hof Winery
Award-winning wines from the competition will be paired with gourmet dishes at the 2023 Rodeo Uncorked! Roundup & Best Bites Competition, Feb. 19, and will be sold at the 2023 Champion Wine Auction & Dinner, Feb. 26. 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 2023 Rodeo, scheduled for Feb. 28 – March 19.
Additionally, the top-performing Texas wineries will also be invited to participate in Texas Wine Celebration Day in the Champion Wine Garden, March 2. For more information on Rodeo Uncorked! events, visit rodeohouston.com/wine.
The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo promotes agriculture by hosting an annual, family-friendly experience that educates and entertains the public, supports Texas youth, showcases Western heritage and provides year-round educational support within the community. Since its beginning in 1932, the Rodeo has committed more than $550 million to the youth of Texas and education. The 2023 Rodeo is scheduled for Feb. 28 – March 19. The 2023 World’s Championship Bar-B-Que Contest, presented by Cotton Holdings, is scheduled for Feb. 23 – 25. For more information, visit rodeohouston.com and connect with #RODEOHOUSTON online via Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube for all the latest news.