Last Tuesday, in the heart of Napa Valley, Chef Todd Humphries hosted the final Sommelier Smackdown of 2009 at his famed restaurant Martini House.

Akin to duels and jousts, the friendly Sommelier Smackdown pits the personal selections of wine experts against each other during a three course dinner. Competition is hard fought and won by the (wobbly) Sommelier who has the most votes from guests.

Although Chef had a man in the ring--reigning champion and Martini House sommelier Rob Renteria--competition was fair. Mr. Renteria’s opponent, Southern Wine & Spirits ambassador Kim Beto, called the challenge and arrived in fighting form (with wine in tow).

The two competitors welcomed the sold out crowd of thirty and explained the rules for battle: a three course meal paired with wines of each Sommelier’s choice. Guests (many of whom are wine industry insiders) receive a glass of each wine, and votes are tallied before the gladiators explain their pairings.

Chef warmed up the crowd with a Tomato Consomme Infused with Lemon Verbena. Mr. Renteria stepped out a bit with Livio Felluga Tocai Friulano, while Mr. Beto offered up a Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc. After the first course, votes were counted and Mr. Beto surged ahead. (Debate ensued among guests about voting etiquette: do we choose the wine that we want to drink or the wine most appropriate for the dish? Oh, the drama of it all!)

Butter Poached Maine Lobster arrived next, served alongside Saffron Gnocchi with Tomato and Lobster Mushroom Bolognese and Parmesan Froth. Mr. Beto shook his head, decrying Chef Humphries as a sadist (tomatoes are a curve ball), while Rob Renteria poured a sexy Capezzana Carmignano Trefiano. Mr. Beto countered with a rustic Cloudy Bay Pinot Noir, and took a strong lead in the total vote count.

The third and final course was divisive. Chef--once again--skillfully wove tomatoes into the dish, serving Grilled Petite Tenderloin, Tomato Carpaccio, Marbled Potatoes, Fried Capers and Grilled Radicchio with Red Wine Glaze. Guests swooned when Mr. Renteria poured Livio Felluga Merlot, while Mr. Beto brazenly served glasses of Numanthia Termes. Mr. Renteria’s thrilling choice took the round and a vocal crowd commended his selection.

Ultimately, victory went to Mr. Beto who graciously applauded Chef Todd Humphries.

Patricia Calfee is a Napa Valley local & blogger. You can read more of her work online at So Many Wineries.