We can now breathe a sigh of relief. The 2006 Texas Sommelier Conference is over (www.texsom.com). As we exhale we can look back on our second annual event and be happy with the results. The event takes place on a Sunday and Monday...

On Sunday we have a Sommelier competition. We gather 25 of the most promising wine professional from around the state of Texas and examine them. We begin with a 50-question theory exam, asking about such topics as Edelrieflese. Then, the candidates are off to blind taste four wines and a run through a three-table mock service exam.

During this exam we have seminars, open to the public, from some of the country's leading wine experts on diverse topics: Nebbiolo, Burgundy, Spain, South America and Washington. This year, in each seminar we tasted 12 wines. Yes, 12 Nebbiolo-based wines at 9am. On Monday we offer classes and panel discussions for the trade. The event culminates on Monday evening with a Grand Tasting where we announce the winner of the TV Munson trophy, 'Texas' Best Sommelier.'

This year it was an Austin sweep: first, second and third place went to the crew from Austin. The excitement was palpable and it made it worth all of the hard work. Now that we have breathed our sigh of relief, we start planning for next year.