RODEO UNCORKED! ROUNDUP AND BEST BITES PATRONS SIP AND SNACK ON AWARDWINNING TREATS FEB.

. 17, 2013 HOUSTON FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE It was a packed house with an array of delicious options for attendees of the 2013 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Rodeo Uncorked! Roundup and Best Bites Competition, Sunday, Feb. 17, 2013. Thousands gathered at Reliant Center to sample the top wines from the 2013 Rodeo Uncorked! International Wine Competition and vote on food from some of the areas best restaurants and caterers. The 2013 Rodeo Uncorked! International Wine Competition had 2,884 wines entered from 943 wineries in Texas, across the United States and around the world. A panel of 20 judges awarded 2,293 medals in several different categories. Judges included local and international wine experts. The champion wines were: Grand Champion Best of Show Alexander Valley Vineyards CYRUS, Alexander Valley, 2008 Reserve Grand Champion Best of Show Williams Selyem Westside Road Neighbors Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley, 2010 Top Texas Wine Pedernales Cellars Viognier, Texas, 2012 Top Country Wine (Italy) Bolla Amarone, Veneto, 2007 Top AllAround Winery Messina Hof Winery, Bryan, Texas Top Wine Company E & J Gallo Winery, Modesto, Calif. Top Sparkling Wine Gosset Excellence Brut, Champagne, Non-Vintage Top White Wine Consilience Wines Viognier, Santa Barbara County, 2011 Top Red Wine Silkwood Wines Alicante Bouschet, Modesto, California, Non-Vintage Top Sweet Wine Yalumba Museum Reserve Antique Tawny, Barossa Valley, Non-Vintage Top Value Wine Cycles Gladiator Winery Pinot Noir, California, 2011 While sipping on these award-winning wines, attendees moved from table to table tasting and voting on their favorite eats for the Best Bites Competition. The 2013 winners are: Popular Choice Award First Place Royers Round Top Caf Second Place Jonathans The Rub Two-Stepping Bread/Cheese/Dessert Award First Place Mango Caramel from Cacao & Cardamom Chocolates Second Place Bread Pudding from Joyces Seafood and Steaks

Trailblazing Appetizer/Entre Award First Place Barbecue Short Ribs from Killens BBB Second Place Mini Pork Crispy Tacos from Molinas Cantina Third Place Short Rib Sliders with Shaved Ham and Debris from Franks Americana Revival Showmanship Award Catering to Your Tastebuds Rookie Award Mango Caramel from Cacao & Cardamom Chocolates Tasty Traditions Award Bread Pudding from Joyces Seafood and Steaks All champion wines will be auctioned at the Rodeo Uncorked! Champion Wine Auction, Saturday, March 2, 2013, at 6 p.m., in Reliant Center. A selection of the champion wines will be available for tasting, or by the glass and bottle, throughout the run of the Show, Feb. 25 to March 17, in the Baker Hughes Champion Wine Garden, located in Carruth Plaza. Times are Monday through Thursday, 4 to 11 p.m.; Fridays and Saturdays, 11 a.m. to midnight; and Sundays from noon to 10 p.m. In addition to live music, the Wine Garden offers a variety of educational wine seminars for $30 or $50 per person. Visit www.rodeohouston.com for more information on event times. During the Worlds Championship Bar-B-Que Contest, the Baker Hughes Champion Wine Garden, located next to The Rockin Bar-B-Que Saloon, will be open Thursday and Friday, Feb. 21 22, 5 to 11 p.m., and Saturday, Feb. 23, 2 to 11 p.m.

The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo is a Section 501(c)(3) charity that benefits youth, supports education, and facilitates better agricultural practices through exhibitions and presentation. Since its beginning in 1932, the Show has committed more than $330 million to the youth of Texas. The 2013 Show runs Monday, Feb. 25, through Sunday, March 17. For tickets and more information, visit www.rodeohouston.com. -30-