Pinteresting: Pinot Noir and Grilled Salmon

Territorial Vineyards ’08 Stone’s Throw Pinot Noir

One of my favorite foods, grilled salmon, pairs exceptionally well with one of my favorite wine varietals: Pinot Noir. But, not just any Pinot Noir will do, the Pinots that always pair perfectly with grilled salmon are the light bodied, earthy Pinot Noirs from the Willamette Valley.

We’re in the middle of summer now, and as I’ve mentioned in other posts, I’ve moved my kitchen outdoors – I cook breakfast, lunch and dinner on my outdoor grill under the Willamette Valley’s cerulean blue summer skies. Last week, after a quick trip to the local fisherman’s market and a nearby wine shop, I came home with some beautiful freshly caught salmon fillets and a bottle of Territorial Vineyards 2008 Willamette Valley Stone’s Throw Pinot Noir – one of my favorite Pinots.

Because I grill salmon so often, I have a pin board on Pinterest named Grill That Salmon!! This particualr pin board is fully dedicated to, you guessed it, grilled salmon recipes. Most of the recipes I’ve pinned came from either Pinterest or chef friends on Facebook, and coming home with my fresh salmon and ’08 Pinot Noir – a Pinot I’ve had before and truly love – I figured the Cedar Plank Grilled Salmon with Mango Kiwi Salsa would most definitely be a winner alongside a glass of Territorial’s ’08 Pinot Noir – and boy was it ever.

The Pinots luscious black cherry, cinnamon and earthy flavors mingle perfectly with the fresh fruit and salmon. Instead of the food overpowering the wine, or the wine overpowering the food, all the flavors were even keel and fused together perfectly.

It never fails – simply put, it’s hard to beat the winning combination of Willamette Valley Pinot Noir and grilled salmon. I’ll be firing up my grill this afternoon, and I think I’ll try the Grilled Salmon with Avocado Salsa next…yum.

To visit my Grill That Salmon!! pin board on Pinterest, click here, or simply click on one of the tantalizing pictures below:

Cedar Plank Grilled Salmon with Mango Kiwi Salsa

Grilled Salmon with Avocado Salsa

Maple Grilled Salmon