Ómós Digest #69: Primal needs pinot noir.

From Burgundy and beyond. Written by Cathryn Bell.

This week’s newsletter is brought to you by sommelier Cathryn Bell, the creator of Wine Rover, a consultant sommelier service. She previously worked as head sommelier of 2* Aimsir restaurant in Celbridge and junior sommelier at Ashford Castle in Co. Mayo. If you haven’t read her debut article for the Ómós Digest, you can find it here. In this article, Cathryn talks old world and new world pinot noir but first, let’s hear from our founder, Cúán.

For years, wine has fascinated me, but like many, it's a subject that has felt almost too sprawling, too intimidating and exclusive to be found speaking about, let alone writing about. However, what grabbed me from the outset with Cathryn, is her non-declared mission to decode and disarm the authoritative image surrounding wine, in an effort to bring the perception of wine back to its humble beginnings. Her approach, by default, channels us into a more primal relationship with wine, lowering any ostentatious pretence created over time and consequently allowing the wine to speak for itself. Cathryn’s candour is the root of this refreshing perspective. When speaking with Cathryn it is hard not to smile. Her palpable enthusiasm and overflowing exuberance is so evident that her glass is not only half full, it's completely overflowing. What I see through Cathryn is someone who wants everyone to feel like they too can enjoy the great pleasure that good wine brings. What’s so reverential is that she does all this while maintaining such an impossibly high standard with everything she partakes in. It really is no surprise that such an insatiable appetite for inclusivity paired with profound wine knowledge has garnered her such respect within her field. I am delighted of course to now have her write for the Digest. On that note, this leads us to this week’s article, where we once again tap into Cathryn’s mind, to discover one of her very own primal needs. Considering it’s mushroom season, this entails very good pinot noir.

Take it away Cathryn….