Jean Leon Merlot 2004

On the 4th of August, 1962, Jean León  delivered a meal from his notorious restaurant in Hollywood to the tragic actresses, Marilyn  Monroe's home. He was one of the last people to see her alive and never spoke about the night again. Marilyn was a regular diner at his restaurant, La Scala, where she apparently sat at the same table (No.14) every night. On that particular night she had placed a phone call directly to Jean complaining of feeling ill and asked him to bring a meal to her house in Brentwood. The next day she was found dead. Marilyn was among many famous guests who frequented his restaurant including actors such as Paul Newman, Fred Astaire and Marlon Brando to name but a few.

 La Scala was the "in" restaurant to be seen in Beverly Hills and opened it's doors in 1953. Originally, the restaurant was a dream of León's and his best pal James Dean who was able to provide the financial backing through his successes in films such as "Rebel Without A Cause" and "East of Eden". Tragically Dean died before they were realised but León  was determined to fulfill them even despite of his heartbreak. He borrowed the money from a local bank and La Scala opened it's doors in 1956. Diners not only included legendary actors but also presidents such as Regan, Kennedy and Nixon however it was a far call from where León  had started.
 Originally from Santander in northern Spain, his childhood was tough but despite this he was determined to get on and stowed away on a boat to New York when he was just 19 years old. Jean (real name Ceferino Carrión) worked washing dishes bringing him from the East to the West coast where he eventually arrived in Hollywood where his luck changed! After a stint in the army which gave him citizenship he found work in Holywoods trendiest restaurant of the time, Villa Capri. He mingled with the stars here and struck up a friendship with Dean. It was around this time that he changed his name to Jean León as it was fashionable amongst the stars he hung out with to do so and presumably a lot easier to pronounce.

 In all his years in the restaurant business , Jean León (pictured far left)  still held out a dream to own his own vineyards and in 1964 this was fulfilled when he built his own winery in the Penedés region of his beloved Spain. He imported french varietals from some of the best Bordeaux chateaus such as Château Lafitte-Rothschild, La Lagune and Corton Charlemagne. He employed Jaume Rovira to work along side him and create elegant wines whilst staying away from the typicity of the region.

 This has been a wine that has been in Cellars for the last 3 years and while quite pricey at €24.99 still surprises me how it is not flying off the shelf. it has a beautiful cherry colour which disguises it's age well. on the nose it is full of cherry aromas, spice and evidence of oak ageing  . On the palate there is balckberries and cherries with refined tannins. Beautifully structured and smooth. T was away for a few days with her girlfriends so T was over for dinner in 66 and we really enjoyed this steak covered in ratatouille, baked potatoes and green salad.

Jean Leon spent his last 2 years on his boat, La Scala a Mare however Jaume Rovira still oversees all winemaking at the winery keeping up the standards that Leon built over his life. this is a truly unbelievable wine and behind it an incredible story of a man rising up and fulfiling his dreams.
Till Next time

Clare
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Jeio Desiderio Cuvee Rose ...One for mammies day!

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Our first radio spot coincided with Mothers day, and we decided to focus on Italian wines for that celebration! As rumour has it that the Italian mother is even more dedicated to her sons (and daughters!) than our own doting mammies here in Ireland..!


I chose JEIO DESIDERIO CUVEE ROSE which is a lovely pink sparkling wine, made high in the hills around Valdobbiadene just west of Venice where the best Prosecco is made.

This is a really lovely area with small rolling hillocks of vines angled in every conceivable direction and floating morning mists that burn off as the sun rises.

Julie and I happened to be there during the last Papal conclave and even though I am not religious (at all!) I will always remember standing in the silence of the Bisol vineyards, looking down on to a tiny Italian village, and hearing the bell peel in its little church, to signify that a pope had just been elected. It was around ten to four!

Anyway, back to the actual wine……As this wine is a pink colour it obviously cannot be a Prosecco,as Prosecco is a white grape variety, so it is actually a blend of Pinot Noir and Merlot.

It has a lovely smoked salmon, onion skin colour and a nice sparkle with a persistent bead(bubble).A fresh clean nose of ripe summer fruits…raspberries and fragrant Irish red apple and a lively crisp refreshing crisp finish.

Great for a party or a summer’s day in the garden Try it with fresh salmon or any sweet shell fish or just some ripe  raspberries or strawberries.

This wine is made by the Bisol family who have lived in this area since 1645 but have only been making wine since 1875! Jeio was the nickname Mamma Bisol gave her husband Desiderio,the equivalent of calling a Patrick…Paddy.

Subsequent Bisol mothers have called their children Desiderio  which funnily enough translates as Desire. Can you imagine an Irish mother calling her son in from the green where he is playing soccer..." Desire luv, come in your teas ready”…. talk about a slagging from the mates!

This wine retails at €18.95

 Salute & Arrivederchi,

Evelyn

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CELLARS,NAAS ROAD:DEVENEYS DUNDRUM:JUS DE VINE PORTMARNOCK:THE VINTRY RATHGAR