Meet Your Somm: Eleonora Jezzi

The liquid half of Pain et Vin wine bar and bakery in Palermo, Eleonora Jezzi used to be PE teacher. She and baker husband Ohad opened their business in 2013, where she holds weekly tastings. 

What was your last pairing recommendation?

Sweetbreads with Chardonnay. I ate them at La Carnicería and as they make caramelised molleja,  I prefer to match them with a white, better still if it’s a little oaky like Lagarde’s Guarda.

What did you drink last night?

Luca Chardonnay. I’m a big white wine drinker, and I’m going through a ‘Chardo Belle Epoque’ phase at the moment.

What’s your favourite wine region in the world?

Loire Valley. I was impressed by the simplicity and diversity of the place, and also  by the ‘non-pretentious’ kind of French they are. People and wine are pretty much the same. As for Argentina. Salta la linda! I believe this is a place with a big identity and enormous energy!

What do you love most about your work?

Meeting wonderful people behind projects, sharing thoughts, sensorial experiences, teaching and most of all learning. It’s never ending!

What’s the best thing that ever happened to you as a somm?

Watching somebody’s face become convinced and happy with my recommendation. And when somebody starts connecting what they feel and they say about certain wine. People tend to be shy about that so when they feel confident, I just love it! You can see they have ‘clicked’ and I’m still a teacher!

I also love it when my friends or clients tell me they started drinking whites because of me.

If you were a wine, you’d be…

Probably a white blend – a combination of fresh fruit, noticeable acidity and complexity.