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Cedar Plank Salmon & Pinot Noir

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In the Pacific Northwest we have a bountiful array of local goods that make for excellent cuisine: from mushrooms to hazelnuts and berries to orchard fruits. But two of my favorite items that really marry well are salmon and Pinot Noir. Fresh-caught salmon cooked on the grill or under the broiler is truly divine, but this cedar plank recipe adds another dimension that helps to accentuate the spicy qualities of Pinot Noir.

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons grainy mustard
• 2 tablespoons mild honey or pure maple syrup
• 1 teaspoon minced rosemary
• 1 tablespoon grated lemon zest
• 1 (2-pounds) salmon fillet with skin (1 1/2 inches thick)
• a cedar grilling plank (about 15 by 6 inches – available at Costco)

Preparation

• Soak cedar grilling plank in water to cover 2 hours, keeping it immersed.
• Prepare grill for indirect-heat cooking over medium-hot charcoal (medium-high heat for gas).
• Stir together mustard, honey, rosemary, zest, and 1/2 teaspoon each of salt and pepper.
• Spread mixture on flesh side of salmon and let stand at room temperature 15 minutes.
• Put salmon on plank, skin side down (if salmon is too wide for plank, fold in thinner side to fit). Grill, covered with lid, until salmon is just cooked through and edges are browned, 13 to 15 minutes. Make sure that the plank is not directly over the coals or gas flame or it will ignite (if it does catch fire, just spritz a little water on it to douse the flame). Let salmon stand on plank 5 minutes before serving.

Try one of the following Pinot Noirs with the salmon:

2008 Broadley Vineyards Willamette Valley :: $18 :: 90 Pts Robert Parker
Broadley’s 2008 Pinot Noir Willamette Valley was bottled in June, 2009. A blend of three vineyards, it is a preview of just how good the 2008 vintage is in Willamette Valley. It offers up the superb perfume characteristic of the vintage with fruit and floral aromas. On the palate it has layered, succulent cherry and raspberry fruit with excellent depth and balancing acidity. It has enough structure to evolve for several years but there is no need to defer your gratification. It is a sensational value in Pinot Noir.

2008 Luminous Hills Estate Pinot Noir :: $25
Light ruby-red. Some floral aromas merge with the red raspberry and plum notes. On the palate the wine opens up with bright raspberry then segues into darker fruits - plum and black cherry followed by some nice spice that carries into the persistent finish. Drink now through 2015.

2007 Johan Vineyards Nils Reserve :: $45 :: 92 Pts Stephen Tanzer
Light, bright red. Sexy aromas of redcurrant, strawberry, cinnamon and potpourri, with a strong undercurrent of minerals. Light-bodied, suavely sweet red fruit flavors gain flesh and depth with air, with the spice and floral notes repeating. Really alluring pinot, with tangy blood orange and white pepper notes adding bite to the very long, sappy finish. This is a real standout for the vintage. Drink now through 2018.

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