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Texas’ Top Wine Professionals and Enthusiasts
Get Chance to Vie for Coveted Title, Learn New SkillsTexas Sommelier Conference and Best Sommelier Competition
Return to Austin’s Four Seasons Hotel Aug. 17-18
Austin, Texas –– July 16, 2008 The 4th Annual Texas Sommelier Conference and Texas’ Best Sommelier Competition return to Four Seasons Hotel in Austin on Sunday, August 17 and Monday, August 18. The only one of its kind in the United States, this prestigious event draws top wine industry professionals from across the country
World-renowned sommeliers and wine educators lead Texas' top wine professionals and wine enthusiasts through two days of seminars covering a broad spectrum of wine-related topics. The event’s highlight is a competition featuring 25 of Texas' top sommeliers vying to be named Texas’ Best Sommelier for 2008. The conference culminates in a grand tasting and awards ceremony on Monday night at which Texas' Best Sommelier will be named and more than 25 wineries will pour their wines.
The not-for-profit organizations The Texas Sommelier Association and The Wine and Food Foundation of Texas sponsor the two-day event.
Presenters and Seminar Topics
Since its inception in 2005, the conference has attracted more than 500 wine professionals, and 75 sommeliers have competed. Speakers represent the most prestigious levels of wine educators –– Master Sommeliers (MS), Masters of Wine (MW), Certified Wine Educators (CWE), and other respected members of the industry.
A heavyweight lineup is confirmed for the 2008 conference. A partial list includes: Fred Dame MS, President of the Guild of Sommeliers Education Foundation; Greg Harrington MS, who has developed wine lists for Wolfgang Puck and Emeril Lagasse; Guy Stout MS, Education Director at Glazer’s Distributors; Keith Goldston MS; Reggie Narito MS; Larry O’Brien MS, and Charles Curtis MW.
Seminar topics include: Italy: North and Central, Italy: South and the Islands, Argentina, Bordeaux: Medoc & Graves, Washington, New Zealand, German Erstes Gewaches (First Growths), Loire Valley, wine flaws, and Port, Sherry and Madeira. Speakers serve hand-selected wines representing each seminar’s topic.
Schedule, Registration and Ticket Information
Sunday seminars and the Monday night Grand Tasting and Award Ceremony are open to the public. Ticket information and a full conference schedule may be found by visiting www.texsom.com . Wine enthusiasts of all experience levels are encouraged to attend. Monday's seminars are open to wine industry professionals and are sessions are complimentary with advance registration.
The Texas Sommelier Association Background
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.
The Wine and Food Foundation of Texas Background
The Wine & Food Foundation of Texas was established to connect its members and the general public with the value, creativity and craftsmanship inherently present in the culinary and viticulture arts. This mission is fulfilled by funding grants, scholarships and research aimed at elevating the quality, awareness and enjoyment of good food and fine wine as well as hosting education and social events that enhance the quality of life for members and communities. These programs offer unique opportunities to enrich the minds and palates of guests, who in turn can relate their experience with friends sharing common interests.
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