‘Become an expert at choosing wine you love.
Make every pour a celebration with The Home Sommelier!‘
[ About The Home Sommelier ]
Have you ever stood in the supermarket struggling to pick the right bottle of wine for the evening ahead, whether you’re heading to a friend’s birthday party or having a cosy night in with a bowl of pasta?
Now, wine expert Brigid O’Hora (aka @brideys_wine_chats) is here to help with entertaining knowledge and advice to help you select the perfect wine to fit every occasion, no matter your budget.
From how to tell good wine from bad and learning more about the regions and grapes you love, to tips on pairing the food you’re eating – whether it’s a special-occasion meal, everyday spaghetti Bolognese or a bag of crisps – with the perfect tipple, The Home Sommelier uncorks the secrets to getting the very best from your wine experience.
[ My Review ]
‘This book is filled with relatable wine knowledge that we can use in our everyday lives. Each chapter has an easy to read rundown of the wine world and wine styles that are accessible and affordable’ – Brigid O’Hora
The Home Sommelier by Brigid O’Hora published October 17th with Hachette Books Ireland and has just been shortlisted for an An Post Irish Book Award in the Food & Drink Book of The Year category. It is a treasure trove of information for the ordinary wine-drinker, like myself, who often stands flummoxed in the wine aisles overwhelmed by choice and price. The Home Sommelier is described as ‘the essential guide to making the best wine choices, without breaking the bank’ and is the culmination of years of experience working in the industry.
Brigid O’Hora is very much focused on spreading the joy of wine with as many people as possible and it was during the recent Covid Pandemic in March 2020 that her journey to publication began. Having worked in the drinks industry for years, Brigid settled with her family on Achill Island off the west coast of Ireland. As a mother of three young children (triplets) she set up her Instagram account, @brideys_wine_chats, hoping to share her knowledge about wine and to remove the stigma that many associate with the industry. With nearly 23,000 followers on Instagram and counting, Brigid’s no-nonsense approach has made her a go-to person for wine drinkers from all walks of life.
Her encyclopaedic knowledge of the drinks industry and her witty narrative, allow the reader to step into her world and discover for themselves the value of choosing with care while at the same time throwing some of the traditional wine ‘rules’ out the window.
I particularly love the chapter entitled ‘Grape Expectations: What to Expect from Your Favourite Grape‘ and was delighted to see my two ‘besties’ described as:
Tempranillo – Bubbly, outgoing, confident and smooth-talking friend. Always reliable. (Rioja my red of choice)
Sauvignon Blanc – This is your girly pal who’s a bit of a livewire. Can be feisty and prickly, but generally full of joy and presence. (NZ Marlborough & French Touraine always winners for me)
The Home Sommelier is a book that anyone who likes a tipple should have on their bookshelves. I love the fact that we can now all be ‘wine experts’. This insightful guide will give confidence to our selections as we browse through the aisles without fear. We can chat with fellow enthusiasts without embarrassment. We can sip our Cava chilled, knowing the secrets behind getting it to that perfect temperature. We can have notions, and as a Cork woman, I love that!!
The Home Sommelier is a comprehensive exploration of wine, brimming with practical tips on how to understand and appreciate the art of choosing your next bottle. It really would make a wonderful gift, providing a wealth of information for both seasoned wine enthusiasts and newcomers alike.
‘Winemaking is storytelling at its finest. Each grape, each barrel, each cuvée is filled with passion, love and hope. And when the forces of nature come down upon them, these wine-makers show their true skill. Wine is a honey that binds us together through cultural and racial differences.’ – Brigid O’Hora
[ Bio ]
Brigid O’Hora has spent over twenty years working in the wine industry. She began her training in Australia and since then has been a wine studies lecturer, held several posts as sommelier at prestigious restaurants in Paris, Boston, Sydney, Dublin and Clare and set up her own wine tasting business which she ran for three years.
Nowadays, between raising her triplet children on the beautiful island of Achill off the west coast of Ireland, Brigid works as a Business Development Manager for Classic Drinks, an Irish wine company. And her passion remains spreading the joy of wine in a non-fussy, heartfelt manner, through food, joy and connection.
