Are there Somalian sommeliers?

Once again Rancid Veeblefester has to get in the last word, but at least he knows his geography and he seems well versed on current events.

A sommelier (suh mel YAY) is a wine steward, professionally trained in the art and science of selecting, presenting and enjoying fine wines. A Somalian lives in Somalia, a country that lies on the horn of Africa.

The contrast between the two terms is stark. One evokes gracious, civilized dining; the other churns up images of armed desperadoes scrambling up the sides of a ship.

Somalia is one of the poorest countries on Earth. In recent years more and more of its citizens have stopped trying to survive as farmers or fishermen and have turned to the violent but lucrative business of piracy.

Last year Somalian piracy cost almost $7 billion, according to Oceans Beyond Piracy (http://oceansbeyondpiracy.org/). “In 2011, Somali pirates attacked 237 ships and successfully hijacked 28.”

It looks as if some five-star hotels actually do business in this politically unstable country, and some may even have a sommelier on staff. I don’t plan on ever personally finding out. Just one pop of a champagne cork would make me dive for cover.

To hear how “sommelier” is pronounced, go to:
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sommelier.

It’s all hands in the air as suspected pirates await apprehension by personnel on board the guided-missile cruiser USS Vella Gulf on Feb. 11, 2009.

U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communications Specialist 2nd Class Jason R. Zalasky
Photos and illustration courtesy of Wikipedia