Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/391696
{ SOMMjournal.com } 1 13 top tips from texas' best sommeliers In addition to conference seminars and tasting breaks, TEXSOM hosts an annual competition testing 25 Texas- based sommeliers on their knowledge of wine business to single out the year's Texas' Best Sommelier. The exam itself is modeled similar to the CMS Advanced level, which involves theory, service and blind tasting, and tests for participants' broad knowledge of the world of wine. Of the ten sommeliers who have earned the title, six of them are from Austin, a wine community that in recent years has not only attracted a growing number of top professionals to the industry, but has garnered a name for its tight-knit camaraderie and support structure. The competition only allows participants who live in Texas and who have not yet achieved the Advanced level of certi - fication through the Court of Master Sommeliers. Whether competing for the Best Sommelier title, or simply prepar- ing for future certifications, we've corralled a few pieces of advice from the stable of Austin winners that are worth putting into practice. WINNER 2014 – Joelle Cousins (Certified Sommelier), Red Room Lounge, Austin "My biggest piece of advice is don't cram! Make sure you've done all of your studying well in advance of TEXSOM. And don't get starstruck by all of the Master Sommeliers proc - toring the exam. This is a very supportive community. Just pretend you're in your very own restaurant and you want to show them a great time." (See a profile of Joelle on p. 26. —Ed.) WINNER 2013 – Scott Ota (Advanced Sommelier), Arro Restaurant, Austin "This competition is about separating out who's going to be the best. Some of the questions may seem unfair or out of the blue, but you need to be prepared enough to be able to earn points on the "gimme questions." On service, it seems simple, but you really need to remember to smile, be charm - ing, and be relaxed. If you can handle those three things, your own self confidence will shine through, and that's what wins this competition." WINNER 2011 – Bill Elsey (Advanced Sommelier), Pappas Bros. Steakhouse, Houston "Get a study group. Preparation with a dedicated group was the most important thing. Two people in my group have won the competition and we have all moved on to get our Advanced certification. A good study group holds you accountable to your goals." WINNER 2009 – June Rodil (Advanced Sommelier), McGuire Moorman Hospitality, Austin "Remember, it's a competition, not a test. Winning is based on points, not a percentage to pass. Don't leave points on the table in an area where you excel because you can't shake off answering a question incorrectly. Practice tasting during the same hours as the competition. Competitions and tests don't go on at 10 p.m. or after your floor shift, so do your best to wake up early and set up practice tastings during the hours of 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oh, and smile and be okay with laughing. Have some fun!" WINNER 2007 – Mark Sayre (Advanced Sommelier), Four Seasons Austin "In terms of tasting, focus on the classics; certain regions that are classically know for certain styles of wine. You also need to stick to the deductive process of tasting. Live the tasting grid, really working the points you can get from fol - lowing that process. During the service portion, the faster you can show who you are, the easier it will be. The whole point of this exam is to further you as a wine professional, which means your ability to sell wine well." WINNER 2006 – Devon Broglie (Master Sommelier), Whole Foods Market, Austin "This competition really encapsulates the spirit of TEXSOM. It's the perfect level of difficulty to self-assess where you are on your level of knowledge, tasting and service. So treat it that way. I competed in 2006 with my study group, which included Craig Collins and Scott Cameron in Austin. That year we took first, second and third place. It was a galvanizing moment for us as a study group and really served as the beginning to what the Austin sommelier community is now." Newly crowned Texas' Best Sommelier Joelle Cousins receiving congratulations from fellow Austin-based sommeliers Craig Collins, MS, Nathan Fausti and 2013 Texas' Best Sommelier winer Scott Ota.