Iron Sommelier Houston 2020

I attended the annual Iron Sommelier Competition last week. Every year, Houston's top somms help raise money for The Periwinkle Foundation with one of the cities best wine events while competing for the title of Iron Somm.

Read more about it and learn who was the winner in this article I wrote for Houston Food Finders.

Meet the Iron Sommelier Houston 2020 Winners

At Hugo's where I attended, guests enjoyed a multi-course authentic Mexican dinner paired with wines from Mexico chosen by previous Iron Sommelier winner, Andres Blanco. Both food and wine were fabulous and the service was excellent as always. Hugo's is the best place in Houston to find wines from Mexico along with their sister restaurants Caracol and Xochi.

Casa Madero rosé made from Cabernet Sauvignon was the pairing with the passed Mexican Street Food bites which included Camarones, Ceviche verde, Taquitos de pollo, and Sopesitos de pato, all pictured above.

1st course- Tamal de Huitlacoche with cream of corn and cotija cheese paired with the 2018 Henri Lurton Chenin Blanc from Valley de Guadalupe.

2nd course - Pescado de Pipian verde, a wood grilled robala with grilled Swiss chard and cauliflower served with 2018 Bruma “Plan B” red from the Valley de Guadalupe.

3rd course - Costilla de res, slow braised short rib with mole poblano, cornbread, and charred broccolini paired with 2017 Solar Fortun “O Positivo” Cabernet/Syrah blend from Valley de Guadalupe.

4th and final course- Flan de queso with passion fruit sauce, candied pistachios, strawberries, and chantilly cream paired with a NV Espuma de Piedra Blanc de Noir Brut, also from the Valley de Guadalupe.

Iron Sommelier 2019 winner, Andres Blanco pictured with his wine selections for the Hugo's Iron Somm 2020 dinner. Blanco is one of Houston's top sommeliers, he is currently in charge of the wine program at La Table, visit him there for more expert wine recommendations.

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by Sandra Crittenden

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