Jean Leon – a man, a time, a wine
Andrew Carey
andrew@limerickpost.ie
TASTES of La Scala, probably the most famous Italian restaurant on American shores that played host to the rich and famous of the silver screen and more, were on show in Limerick this week as part of an homage to a wine maker that was more than the sum of his parts.
Regarded as one of best wine makers and winery to hail from the Catalan and Penedes region, the Jean Leon range of wines have emerged as a flagship to hard work dedication and the pursuit of goals in realising dreams.
At the eight attempt of trying, a young Jean Leon stowed away on a ship bound for the Americas in a time when the land of the free was indeed home to the brave.
Jean Leon worked hard in service industries before making a break with Frank Sinatra and his inner circle.
From there, Jean Leon was to open La Scala – Hollywood’s dining home to the stars.
But it was his Spanish roots and love of wine that eventually lured the restauranteur home to the Catalan region where he would, grow, develop and harvest at winery that has now become second to none.
And for a one night only, that wine making passion was shared at the Savoy Hotel during the Jean Leon wine dinner.
A throw back to the 50s classics of La Scala saw excellent recreations of a Elizabeth Taylor inspired zabaglione allowed to sit alongside a cabernet sauvignon from the Jean Leon range befitting of the era; a Sophie Lauren minestrone espresso shielded by a merlot of similar class or the gran reserva that herald the arrival of the cheese course to name but a few – food and wine pairing at its best adorning the setting.
Jean Leon wines are distributed thorough Findlater and available at the Savoy Hotel and select wine merchants.
