South African wine is rodeo winner
The Graham Beck Brut Rosé has become the first South African wine, the first sparkler, and one of the least expensive wines — it sells for $20 — to claim Grand Champion Best of Show honors in the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo’s International Wine Competition, held annually since 2004.
Judges convened this month to taste 3,156 entries representing 18 countries. The winning bubbles were made from grapes grown on Madeba farm, purchased by entrepreneur Graham Beck near the town of Robertson in the Western Cape, when he established the family wine business in 1983. A third generation of Becks now runs the winery. The awardwinning wines will be paired with dishes from top area chefs at the 2019 Rodeo Uncorked! Roundup & Best Bites Competition Feb. 17. The 2019 category winners: Grand Champion Best of Show: Graham Beck Brut Rosé, Robertson NV Reserve Grand Champion Best of Show: 2013 Muriel Reserva, Rioja Top Texas Wine: 2017 McPherson Cellars White Blend Top Sparkling Wine: Gloria Ferrer Blanc de Noir Brut, Carneros, NV Top White Wine: 2017 Rombauer Vineyards Chardonnay, Carneros
Top Red Wine: 201 Chloe Wine Selections Cabernet Sauvignon, San Lucas
Top Region (California Central Coast) Wine: 2016 Ancient Peaks Winery Renegade, Santa Margarita Ranch Top Dessert Wine: 2009 San Felice Belcaro Vin Santo, Chianti Classico DOCG Top Value Wine: 2016 Ravage Cabernet Sauvignon, California Top All-Around Winery: Wilson Winery
Top Region Wine Company: J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines Top Wine Company: Constellation Brands International Top Texas Winery: Haak Vineyards & Winery