Can you tell a Bordeaux from a barbera? The 10 master sommeliers invited to Somm Slam, Gage Hospitality Group’s annual wine competition, sure can. The event challenged sommeliers from across the country to a taste test against Chicago sommeliers—each pairing a wine with a dish by Beacon Tavern executive chef Bob Broskey, to be judged by 80 guests. The pick for wine pairing of the night ended in an unexpected tie—Chris Brundrett of William Chris Vineyards and Cassie Sakai of Girl & The Goat went home winners, exciting guests with plenty of fresh pairing ideas. –Jacquelyn Lumley
Photos by Bethany Fritz