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    Tastemakers Sommelier of the Year

    Tastemakers Sommelier of the Year nominees share their current wine faves

    Eric Sandler
    Apr 27, 2016 | 11:30 am

    The nominees for the 2016 CultureMap Tastemaker Awards Sommelier of the Year comprise some of the most knowledgeable spirits professionals in Houston. Rather than tout their various achievements, we opted to put them to work by asking them to share some thoughts about a recent addition to their wine lists that they're particularly excited about.

    Since affordability is almost as important as flavor, none of the wines listed below cost more than $70. If these selections don't sound appealing, fear not. Our nominees are quite capable of selecting something that suits almost any palate. Feel free to put them to the test.

    Sean Beck, Backstreet Cafe/Caracol/Hugo's
    07 Bevan Cellars ‘Dry Stack Vineyard’ Syrah Bennett Valley, California ($62): Syrah is probably destined to be the brilliant underground band that never achieves mainstream success. The silver lining is you can buy great versions for way less than their worth like this brilliant American version. It's got endless length, subtle smokiness, alluring brambly berry and wild flower. The nose is a billowing cloud of aromas and the incredibly supple tannins reveal a texturally perfect wine.

    Matthew Pridgen, Underbelly
    I recently added the 2006 Quinta Boavista "Terras de Tavares" ($53 restaurant or $32 retail) from the Dão region of Portugal, which is a 50/50 blend of Jaen (Mencia) and Touriga Nacional from organic vineyards. The wine is aged extensively before release, spending three years in oak and five in bottle, resulting in a complex wine full of floral notes, red and black fruit, herbs, earth and a distinct minerality from the granite soils in which the grapes are grown. .

    Jeb Stuart, Coltivare
    Domaine de l'Ecu, Muscadet de Sèvre & Maine ($40): Muscadet de Sevre & Maine has long been considered the perfect wine to pair with shellfish. Domaine De l'Ecu offers up effusive minerality and salinity on the nose, followed by pure melon fruit and beautiful citrus-driven acidity that makes it a perfect pairing with all shellfish. It is also a delightful sipper during a long Houston summer.

    Evan Turner, Helen Greek Food & Wine
    For this spring I am in love with Domaine Glinavos Debina from Zitsa ($14/glass; $50/bottle). A gloriously mineral driven wine from the Debina grape grown in the remote northwest corner of Greece, this stunning wine is perfect as a companion to spring dishes and the increasing heat and humidity here in Houston.

    Justin Vann, Public Services Wine & Whisky
    I'd emphatically recommend the 2014 Olivier Cousin "Pur Breton" Cabernet Franc from Anjou ($55, half-off during happy hour from 4 to 6:30 pm). It is a decidedly old world wine that has lots of feral, funky flavors in addition to tart black and red fruits. I believe it's worth dying for, but, instead of sacrificing your life, you can get it at Public Services.

    James Watkins, Pappas Bros. Steakhouse Downtown
    Domaine Faury St. Joseph 2012 ($70): The terraced, steeply sloped vineyards of the Northern Rhone represent around five percent of the total production of the Rhone Valley. St. Joseph produces wonderful Syrahs that complement our cuisine at Pappas Bros. Steakhouse to perfection. They’re a small, family owned venture that pays meticulous attention to detail, which at this price is quite rare!

    Celebrate our nominees and learn who won at the CultureMap Tastemaker Awards ceremony May 18 at Asia Society Texas Center. Tickets are on sale now.

    Jeb Stuart, Coltivare.

    Jeb Stuart Coltivare
      
    Photo courtesy of Coltivare
    Jeb Stuart, Coltivare.
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    The Best in Texas

    The unequivocal list of the best restaurants and bars in Texas 2016

    Jennifer Chininis
    May 24, 2016 | 11:30 am
    The unequivocal list of the best restaurants and bars in Texas 2016
    Mixtli/Facebook
    San Antonio Restaurant of the Year Mixtli.

    Whether at home or traveling, one question we Texans always want answered is where to eat. Our annual CultureMap Tastemaker Awards provides plenty of answers. The program started in Austin in 2012, as a way to honor the top talent in the restaurant and bar communities, and has since expanded to include every city we serve: Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston, and San Antonio.

    What makes Tastemakers unique is that we not only rely on the intelligence of our staff and contributors on the ground in those cities to help identify the nominees, but we also enlist industry experts to offer advice and, ultimately, decide who wins — except in the category of Best New Restaurant, which is determined by our readers.

    The Tastemaker Awards, the largest and most comprehensive culinary tribute of its kind, truly represents the best restaurants, chefs, bars, and bartenders in the state, those who innovate and inspire not only local diners, but also their peers. The 2016 winners represent the best in Texas dining right now.

    Below we have listed those who took home prizes in myriad categories, presented during celebratory events May 17-19 in Austin, Houston, and Dallas. If you are hungry to read more about the people and places mentioned here, click on the city name to read why they deserve the Tastemaker title.

    AUSTIN

    • Restaurant of the Year: Dai Due
    • Chef of the Year: Michael Fojtasek and Grae Nonas, Olamaie
    • Rising Star Chef of the Year: Nicholas Yanes, Juniper
    • Pastry Chef of the Year: Janina O'Leary
    • Bar of the Year: The Townsend
    • Bartender of the Year: Justin Elliott, The Townsend
    • Brewery of the Year: Jester King
    • Sommelier of the Year: June Rodil, McGuire Moorman Hospitality
    • Neighborhood Restaurant of the Year: Evangeline Cafe
    • Best New Restaurant: Oasthouse Kitchen + Bar

    DALLAS

    • Restaurant of the Year: Tei-An
    • Chef of the Year: John Tesar, Knife
    • Rising Star Chef of the Year: Kirstyn Brewer, Victor Tangos
    • Pastry Chef of the Year (tie): Marlene Duke, The Theodore, and Alison Morse, Front Room Tavern
    • Bar of the Year: Midnight Rambler
    • Bartender of the Year: Kyle Hilla, The Theodore
    • Brewery of the Year: On Rotation
    • Sommelier of the Year: Jeff Gregory, FT33
    • Best Sushi Restaurant: Tei Tei Robata Bar
    • Best New Restaurant: Resident Taqueria

    FORT WORTH

    • Restaurant of the Year: Revolver Taco Lounge
    • Chef of the Year: Tim Love, Lonesome Dove Western Bistro, Love Shack, Woodshed Smokehouse
    • Best New Restaurant: The Dive Oyster Bar

    HOUSTON

    • Restaurant of the Year: Pax Americana
    • Chef of the Year: Adam Dorris, Pax Americana
    • Rising Star Chef of the Year: Graham Laborde, Bernadine's
    • Pastry Chef of the Year: Rebecca Masson, Fluff Bake Bar
    • Bar of the Year: Public Services Wine & Whisky
    • Bartender of the Year: Terry Williams, Anvil Bar & Refuge
    • Brewery of the Year: Saint Arnold Brewing Company
    • Sommelier of the Year: Evan Turner, Helen Greek Food & Wine
    • Neighborhood Restaurant of the Year: Weights + Measures
    • Best New Restaurant: State of Grace

    SAN ANTONIO

    • Restaurant of the Year: Mixtli
    • Chef of the Year: Jason Dady, Tre Trattoria and Shuck Shack
    • Best New Restaurant: Mezcaleria Mixtli

    San Antonio Restaurant of the Year Mixtli.

    Mixtli
      
    Mixtli/Facebook
    San Antonio Restaurant of the Year Mixtli.
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