I’m over the James Beard Foundation awards snub, and moving on the good news from James Tidwell of TEXSOM. He sends the winners of the 2015 TEXSOM International Wine Awards sponsored by Texas Monthly. The competition attracted 3,600 entries and awards were presented to 2,601 wines. There were 28 sommeliers and 68 judges.  I waded through the 24-page list and picked out the gold medal winners from Texas. There were a bazillion bronze and silver medalists from our great state. The international list of gold, bronze, and silver medalists is here. Duchman Family Winery Vermentino Bingham Family Vineyard Texas 2012-Gold Pedernales Cellars Vermentino Texas 2014-Gold Pedernales Cellars Viognier Texas 2014-Gold Perissos Vineyards and Winery Aglianico Estate Grown Texas Hill Country 2013-Gold Messina Hof Cabernet Franc Barrel Reserve Texas 2012-Gold Messina Hof Barrel Cuvée, Cabernet Sauvignon Texas 2013-Gold Duchman Family Winery Montepulciano Oswald Vineyard Texas 2012-Gold (wow!)

San Martino Winery & Vineyards Sangiovese Newsom Vineyards Texas 2009-Gold Perissos Vineyards and Winery Syrah Estate Grown Texas Hill Country 2013-Gold Bending Branch Winery Tannat Bending Branch Estate Vineyards Texas Hill Country 2012-Gold Becker Vineyards Tempranillo  Reserve Texas 2013-Gold McPherson La Herencia Texas 2013 -Gold Pedernales Cellars Tempranillo Texas 2012-Gold Pedernales Cellars Tempranillo Reserve Texas 2012-Gold Perissos Vineyards and Winery Tempranillo Estate Grown Texas Hill Country 2013-Gold Wedding Oak Winery Tempranillo Reserva Texas High Plains 2012-Gold Brennan Vineyards Super Nero, Nero d’Avola Texas, Comanche County 2012-Gold Lewis Wines Touriga Nacional Round Mountain Vineyard Reserve Texas Hill Country 2011-Gold Stone House Vineyard Claros, Norton Reserve Texas Hill Country 2013-Gold Llano Estacado Winery Viviano, Superiore Rosso Texas 2010-Gold Haak Vineyards & Winery Thomas Jefferson Series Madeira, Jacquez Texas 2010-Gold

Haak Vineyards & Winery Madeira, Blanc Du Bois Texas 2012-Gold Messina Hof Papa Paulo Port Messina Hof Vineyards, Double Barrel Private Reserve Texas 2010-Gold Our SideDish newsletter features Dallas’s newest dining spots, scrumptious recipes from local restaurants, and news on breweries, cocktail hours and more.With a focus on Texas-grown grapes and embracing varietals more suited for the often extreme weather, Texas wineries have been racking up accolades and awards, as well as earning a more prominent place on local wine lists. As we head into Texas Wine Month, five Austin sommeliers fill you in on their Lone Star favorites. Joelle Cousins, General Manager and Sommelier at Red Room Lounge The 2014 winner of Texas’ Best Sommelier Competition at TEXSOM, Joelle Cousins serves a number of Texas labels at the downtown wine bar including the Spicewood Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc and the Inwood Estates Vineyard Tempranillo. “Some of my favorite Texas wines are from Duchman Family Winery [in Dripping Springs], particularly the Montepulciano,” says Cousins.

“The wines are very balanced and I like the Italian varietals they are focusing on.” Chris Howell, Sommelier and Wine Director at Fork & Vinesweet dry wine white As he prepares for the opening of Fork & Vine in October, Sommelier Chris Howell has been busy tasting wine from around the state. buy wine online cheapHe was especially impressed with one of the newer Texas wineries, Lewis Wines, located near Johnson City.best selling wine brands in the world “I think they have one of the best Chenin Blancs in the state,” says Howell. best wine that goes with pizza“I was blown away by the quality of the wine and the purity of the fruit. best wine for girl indian

I’m interested to see how the Portugese varietals they are focusing on develop because no one else is doing that right now in Texas.”summer wine best version Melissa Lamb, Wine Director at Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse Downtownwine online uk free delivery Sommelier Melissa Lamb has found that Fleming’s customers are increasingly curious about Texas wine and she’s happy to recommend a highly acclaimed, refreshing white as a pairing for one of their popular appetizers.good wine store hong kong “The Duchman Family Vermentino is perfect with the tuna sashimi tower,” says Lamb. best wine in england“The dish has some cilantro and mild jalapenos and it’s a great match with the bright acidity of the wine.”

Edward Morgan, Sommelier at Travaasa Austin As an experiential resort, Travaasa works to reflect the local culture, from horseback riding in the Hill Country to featuring Texas ingredients on the restaurant’s menu. Sommelier Edward Morgan wanted a wine list that mirrored that Texas terrain. Among his Lone Star favorites is the award-winning Tannat from Bending Branch Winery in Comfort. “It is a killer wine and not many people are familiar with the grape,” says Morgan. “Tannat can be gripping and tannic, but the Texas heat tones it down a bit. It’s great with our meatier dishes.” Brian Phillips, Sommelier and Manager at Eddie V's Prime Seafood Brian Phillips is so enthusiastic about Pedernales Cellars in Stonewall that he has worked at the winery. “They have high quality standards, and their Tempranillo and Viognier pair well with our dishes.” The 2012 Viognier is an internationally recognized wine, earning the prestigious Grand Gold award at the 2013 Lyon International Wine Competition — the only American winery to earn the honor that year.