The SOMM Journal

February / March 2018

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36 { THE SOMM JOURNAL } FEBRUARY/MARCH 2018 A DIARY OF AN ENRICHMENT TRIP THROUGH ITALY by James Lechner / photos by Faye Cardwell WE AWAKE ON the shores of Lake Iseo, with our view from the terrace of the Araba Fenice hotel broadening as the morning fog melts. It is mostly anticipation that keeps the drag of jet lag at bay. Our group met formally at dinner the night before, though there is so much yet to discover. The itinerary for our Italian Enrichment Trip, Italia del Vino 2017, literally sounds great, reading almost like the lyrics to a tempo-driven song: Franciacorta > Sardegna > Barolo > Liguria > Trento > Veneto > Friuli > Treviso > then sleep. One of my roles on the SommFoundation Board involves filtering hundreds of applications for each Enrichment Trip into a handful of potential attendees. The goal is to assemble a group that will drive each member to soak up all the experience offers. Having been lucky enough to attend Enrichment Trips prior to my time on the Board, I know how group dynamics can make a trip successful . . . or make it stumble. A great deal of time and effort is put into gathering the right pool of candidates: The decisions are never easy, and now I get to see firsthand whether our work has paid off. I have to say, we nailed this one. These attendees work in some of the best restaurants in America—stretching from the heart of the Napa Valley to West Virginia with stops in Seattle, Houston, and Chicago—and their collective expertise is inspiring. We have a cadre of fearless Master Sommelier candidates, each at various stages of that journey, and also a brave soul striving for the MW. A few have traveled to Italy many times, while others have never make the trek. What better company than a pack of joyful wine nerds led by someone with intimate knowledge of the language, the land, and the finest producers? We certainly would have been left adrift without this fearless leader, Faye Cardwell. More than just our guide, she would become an advisor, fellow traveler, and friend—but we didn't know that right away. In fact, we knew little about one another beyond the smatter - ing of introductory emails exchanged prior to departure, but that unfamiliarity soon dissolved as we set about conquering that fast- moving itinerary. The following recaps the highlights of this unforget- table trip. In Search of Convergence at Italia del Vino 2017 Alexandra Thomas and James Lechner in the vineyards of Marchesi di Barolo. The facade of the Cantina Mesa winery features patterns based on traditional Sardinian textiles.

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