Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/935769
74 { THE SOMM JOURNAL } FEBRUARY/MARCH 2018 { sommcon } The lineup of wines featured in the Central European seminar represented six countries. Aiming at the Center D EXPLORING THE WINES OF CENTRAL EUROPE AT SOMMCON IN SAN DIEGO by Michelle Ball photos by Jeremy Ball espite the long history of winemaking in Central Europe, its wines' presence on the international market is in a stage of rediscovery after recovering from decades of Soviet occupation following World War II. During SommCon in San Diego, SommFoundation Chairman of the Board Jay James, MS, led a packed room of attendees through a captivating session that spanned six countries from the region, delving deep into what James called "the tremendous diversity" of its grape varieties. Many of the indigenous grape varieties from these areas have survived despite outside pressure to undergo a winemaking process that's conventional and, as a result, profitable. As presenter and SOMM Journal Editor-at-Large Cliff Rames put it, "Some of these indigenous grapes have endured, and luckily we get to taste them."