15 Jul Nashville Wine Auction to host first ever Somm Showdown in November
NASHVILLE, TN (July 16, 2024) – The Nashville Wine Auction will host its first ever Somm Showdown on Sunday, November 10, 2024 at the Wesley Mortgage Club in Nissan Stadium.
Established in 1980, the Nashville Wine Auction has raised more than $37 million for organizations whose purpose is directly related to cutting-edge research, innovative treatment, and family/patient/caregiver support. Funds are raised through innovative, entertaining and educational events and the Somm Showdown marks another exciting addition to the calendar.
In November, Six Sommelier contestants will showcase their skills as they work through a series of challenges to see who will be crowned the first ever Somm Showdown Champion.
“Sommeliers are crucial to the success of many Nashville Wine Auction events and this event will pay homage to these wine stewards,” President and CEO of the Nashville Wine Auction Loren Chumley says. “This is a chance to spotlight these important partnerships and help further those interested in a wine education.”
Contestants will be challenged through three rounds: a wine and food pairing contest; a Jeopardy-style wine knowledge contest; and a blind tasting. The Nashville Wine Auction is excited to welcome Jonathan Ross, Master Sommelier and Wine Importer and Calvin Webster, WSET Diploma Level IV and Wine Consultant to moderate the event.
Round 1: The contest will begin with each contestant being paired with a different Tennessee-based chef. The chef will prepare a small, savory dish. Each contestant will be required to pair a wine of their selection with the chef-prepared dish. The food and wine pairings will be judged by a panel of wine experts and the audience. Audience members who purchase their tickets to the Somm Showdown at Nashville Wine Auction’s l’Eté du Vin in July will taste and sip along with the contestants.
At this time, four chefs are confirmed for the first round of the event: Chef Deb Paquette from Etch and Etc; Chefs Ryder and Michaella Zetts from Sourdoughs of Somerset; Chef Alyssa Gangeri from The Buttermilk Ranch and Urban Grub; and Chef Jason Lockman from Lockeland Table.
Round 2: The top four scoring Sommeliers will move forward to the Jeopardy-style wine knowledge round. Each contestant will try to dazzle the audience and judges with their wine knowledge.
Round 3: The top two scoring contestants from round two will move to the final round, which will be a blind tasting competition. The contestants must be able to analyze, describe and identify the wine by grape, country, region and vintage. Audience members will play along to see how their skills match up to these wine professionals.
The winning Sommelier will take home a $2,000 cash prize and the runner-up will take home a $1,000 cash prize to fund their continuing wine education. Other participants will take home selected bottles of wine.
Applications must be submitted by August 16, 2024. Applications will be available at nashvillewineauction.com or can be requested by emailing info@nashvillewineauction.com. Applicants must have five years of experience in the wine industry (winery, restaurant, wine distribution, etc) and will be asked to share qualifications, industry history and information on any wine certifications.
A five member panel consisting of Board and Emerging Leader Board members of the Nashville Wine Auction will review and evaluate the applications through a blind screening process. Six contestants will be selected to compete as well as one alternate contestant.
Limited seats will be available for attendees for the first ever Somm Showdown. Seats to the Somm Showdown are available for $650 through the 45th Annual l’Eté du Vin Auction. To purchase tickets, you may register as an online bidder HERE or contact the Nashville Wine Auction office at info@nashvillewineauction.com. The Silent Auction goes live on Tuesday, July 23.
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ABOUT THE NASHVILLE WINE AUCTION
Nashville Wine Auction’s mission is to unite the wine community to fund the fight against cancer. In 2024, Nashville Wine Auction will celebrate Pairings: Nashville’s Ultimate Wine and Food Weekend on February 22-24 and the 45th Annual l’Eté du Vin on July 25-27 at JW Marriott. Established in 1980, the Nashville Wine Auction has raised more than $40 million for organizations whose purpose is directly related to cutting-edge research, innovative treatment, and family/patient/caregiver support. www.NashvilleWineAuction.com
NASHVILLE WINE AUCTION BENEFICIARIES
American Cancer Society’s Hope Lodge, Ascension Saint Thomas Foundation, Gilda’s Club Middle Tennessee, The Heimerdinger Foundation, HopeKids, Inc., Leukemia Lymphoma Society, Nashville General Hospital Foundation, Make-A-Wish Foundation® of Middle Tennessee, Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt, Survivor Fitness Foundation, Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.