The following comes via the Houston Sommelier Association e-letter.

Email info@houstonsommeliers.com to be added to the list.

HERE IT IS, GANG!!! Two Great Opportunities.

A chance to win a grand prize of a one week Wine Internship in Burgundy, France with a renowned wine professional, like Burgundy Wine Writer Allen Meadows of Burghound! Yes, it is that time! On Sunday, January 27th, 2019 at The AT&T Hotel & Conference Center in Austin, Texas, the 2019 Somms Under Fire Competition will challenge 3 top Sommeliers to prove their “Perfect Pairing” skills in front of a lively audience and a Judges Panel. The competition is open for entry to all Beverage Industry Professionals, or any person who is currently employed in the beverage industry for a restaurant, retailer, distributor or supplier, except for someone attaining the highest level of certification by their governing body, like MS or MW.

Professionals can submit preliminary Entry information and a $25 non-refundable entry fee to enter no later than Friday, September 21, 2018 at 11 PM Central Standard Time. Upon completing Entry information, entrants will receive information on the testing window that will begin on Saturday, September 22nd, and ends on Monday, October 1st at 11:00 pm CST. This test is a 30 minute timed online test, which offers a good knowledge-based testing opportunity for the entrant. The test will determine three final contestants, as well as three alternates for the final competition. More information can be found on http://keepercollection.com/somms-under-fire. In addition to this being a professional growth experience for the final competitors, it also offers some promotion for their company/employer as this event is promoted by many over social media.

The three final contestants will conduct on-site wine and food pairing challenges in front of a Judges panel of Industry Professionals. All wine and food items will be presented at the time of the competition, not prior to the event. Details of each challenge will be announced on-site immediately preceding the competition. Contestants will be notified if he/she needs to bring any equipment, tools, or other items needed to complete the challenges. Contestant performance of each challenge will be judged on quality of pairing selection (40%; 0-20 pts), educational presentation (20%; 0-10 pts), service (20%; 0-10 pts), and originality of pairing (20%; 1-10 pts).

Win a trip to Portugal!

The SOMMJournal and Wines of Portugal invite you to apply for your spot in the Wines of Portugal Sommelier of the Year Competition! Ten lucky sommeliers in five cities will get their chance to go head-to-head testing their Portuguese wine know-how, and one winner from each city will win the title and a trip to Portugal!

Visit http://www.sommjournal.com/portugal to enter

The competition is being held in Los Angeles, Seattle, Washington, D.C., Atlanta and Houston.

The Houston competition will be held at The Texas Wine School on Sept 26.

UPCOMING EVENTS @ HSA

October 3, 2018
Ernesto Bajda with Bodega Catena Zapata

October 10, 2018
David Keck, MS on Climates of Cotes de Nuit & Minervois with wines from Anne Gros

October 24, 2018
Wines of Setubal

October 31, 2018
Expanding the world of Sake