13th Annual Washington, DC International Wine & Food Festival’s Inaugural Sommelier Showdown

Fiola

“All’s fair”…as they say.  These liquid professionals may be buds when the neck ties are loosened after midnight and shop talk is out on the table, but for two hours on Thursday, February 9th They. Will. Throw. Down. For. A. Showdown.  Figuring there will be bottles a blazin’ at the Ronald Reagan Building & International Trade Center, I do not, nor should you, want to miss this surely highly entertaining and fulfilling evening that showcases five of D.C.’s top sommeliers during the Washington, DC International Wine & Food Festival’s (IWFF) inaugural Sommelier Showdown.  Five professional oenophiles including Theo Rutherford of Fiola, Brent Kroll of Adour, Eli Benchimol of Chef Geoff’s and Guy Golan of J&G Steakhouse will compete in a race of the taste, using deductive tasting to identify wines with hidden labels. This friendly (ha ha!) tête-à-tête will kick off the anticipated weekend of vino, food and libations at the annual wine and food fest.

Chef Todd Gray and me at Equinox Restaurant

To complement the wines presented, five of DC’s most noted chefs including Todd Gray of Equinox, Xavier Deshayes of the Ronald Reagan Building & International Trade Center and Jamie Montes de Oca of Zentan will meld the worlds of food and wine and create their own savory dishes.

If this type of contest floats your boat and tickles your taste buds as it does mine, get your ticket now (limited) online at www.wineandfooddc.com for $150. For additional ticket and event information on the 13^th annual Washington DC International Wine & Food Festival, please visit the website.

• Theo Rutherford, Fiola
• Brent Kroll, Adour
• Eli Benchimol, Chef Geoff’s
• Guy Golan, J & G Steakhouse
• Xavier Deshayes, Ronald Reagan Building & International Trade Center
• Todd Gray, Equinox, Watershed, Muse
• Jamie Montes de Oca , Zentan
• Organized by Ramon Narvaez, Brasserie Beck