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CONTACT: Rebecca Robinson
The Wine & Food Foundation of Texas
512-327-7555 or 512-350-4621
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Texas’ Best Sommelier 2007 announced at Grand Tasting Event
Austin, Texas (August 6, 2007) – The Wine & Food Foundation of Texas and The Texas Sommelier Association are pleased to announce the TexSom Grand Tasting, a community-wide tasting event that is the pinnacle of the Texas Sommelier Conference. The Grand Tasting is open to the public and will be held on Monday evening, August 20th at the Four Seasons Hotel in Austin, beginning at 7:00 p.m. The event is sponsored in part by Whole Foods Market and the Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts in Austin, Houston and Dallas.
In addition to outstanding wine and food pairings, guests will convene for the announcement of Texas’ Best Sommelier for 2007. Determined through a rigorous three-part competition consisting of exams in tasting, service and theory, this specialized portion of the TexSom conference is limited to 25 Texas candidates. Finalists will be evaluated by a distinguished panel of nationally recognized Master Sommeliers.
The winner receives the title of ‘Texas Best Sommelier’ and an award package that includes scholarships from three major wine certifying bodies; The Guild of Sommerliers Education Foundation, the International Wine Center and the Society of Wine Educators, in addition to airfare donated by American Airlines.
Last year Austin swept the statewide competition with Devon Broglie of Whole Foods Market winning the title and two other Austinites, Scott Cameron and Craig Collins, snagging the runners-up.
Austin Four Seasons Hotel Executive Chef Elmar Prambs will be pulling out the culinary stops with a stunning array of appetizers and, as expected at a sommelier conference, an amazing collection of over fifty wines from around world will be served (review attached list or visit www.winefoodfoundation.org).
Guests can also rub elbows with some of the country’s leading wine professionals including a rare gathering of 18 Master Sommeliers, one of the most difficult and prestigious levels of wine education. This elite group includes Texas’ only Master Sommelier, Guy Stout. Celebrity winemakers may also be in attendance, such as Heidi Barrett from Amuse Bouche Winery in Napa Valley. Known throughout the wine industry as one of California’s top winemakers, Barrett has worked for some of top Napa Valley cult wines including Screaming Eagle, Dalla Valle, Grace Family and Paradigm.
The Grand Tasting concludes the third annual Texas Sommelier Conference, designed for both consumers and professionals. Previously held in Dallas, this year marks Austin’s first time to host. Co-presented by the Texas Sommelier Association and The Wine & Food Foundation of Texas, the conference will be held at the Four Seasons Hotel, Austin. Featuring an extraordinary gathering of wine industry superstars, this two-day event includes educational sessions for the general public on Sunday August 19th and professional/media sessions on Monday, August 20th. Leading conference sponsors include Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts in Austin, Houston and Dallas, Whole Foods Market and American Airlines.
To make reservations for the Grand Tasting or TexSom Conference Sessions, visit www.texsom.com. Grand Tasting tickets are $75.00 per person. Conference sessions for the general public are $30 per session (8 wines included for tasting) or $100 for the entire day. Monday trade and media sessions are free of charge but require reservations at www.texsom.com.
About the Conference Presenters:
The Wine & Food Foundation of Texas - The Wine & Food Foundation of Texas is a public charity dedicated to recognizing and developing creativity, professionalism and state-of-the-science research in all areas of the culinary and viticulture arts. Created in 1997, the Foundation provides grants, scholarships and fellowships to outstanding individuals and other entities that achieve excellence in these areas www.winefoodfoundation.org.
The Texas Sommelier Association – The Texas Sommelier Association is a trade association comprised of Texas wine professionals. The Association promotes professional wine service standards, outlines paths for further wine education and certification, and raises public awareness about the professional standards and certifications for sommeliers. The organization sponsors the “Texas’ Best Sommelier” competition with the winner being awarded scholarships for professional certification courses. www.texsom.com
Four Seasons Hotel Austin – On the green banks of Lady Bird Lake, Four Seasons creates garden tranquility near the Convention Center and the renowned entertainment district. Enjoy legendary hospitality, Texas-inspired dining, lakeside fitness, spacious quarters and Hill Country style. http://www.fourseasons.com/austin/
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