Pairing: Miso Salmon Paired with a Falesco 2016 Tellus Chardonnay IGT (Umbria)

Food: We love to exchange recipes with our two grown sons. Unlike their Ma and Pa who live out in the woods of New Hampshire, they reside in large urban settings with access to a tremendous variety of cuisines and ingredients. And they love to cook! Asian dishes are high on their list of culinary adventures. This delicious and very simple Miso Salmon is a recent contribution from the younger son.

Miso, a traditional Japanese seasoning, is a thick paste made from fermented soybeans and the mold koji. Combine 2T of miso, 2T mirin, 1T sake (or sherry), 1T soy sauce, and 1tsp sesame oil. Brush the mixture on an 8 ounce salmon filet. Bake and keep brushing on more of the mixture while the salmon is cooking until done. The result should be a pretty and flavorful glaze. Asparagus and wild rice pilaf make nice accompaniments.

Wine: Unlike its neighbor to the west, Tuscany, which is famous for its world-class red wines, Umbria is a wine region best known for its white wines, most notably Trebbiano Tuscano (known as Procanico in Umbria) and Grechetto. There is, however, growing interest in planting vineyards of other white wines. Chardonnay is increasing in both production and stature, as a blend with Grechetto or as a single varietal. The Falesco winery, located in Montecchio just south of Orvieto, produces some very tasty Chardonnay.

Tasting Notes: A medium gold color. On the nose one can detect layers of honey, tropical fruits and clementines. You can taste quite a nice basket of flavors … peach, clementine, mango, and ripe cantaloupe. There is a light acidity and just a hint of honey that creates a very pleasant, very gentle sweetness to the wine that enhances the fruit profile. That hint of honey also complements well both the sweetness of the miso and the rich flavor of the salmon.

Other Wines That Pair Well with Miso Salmon: Sake, Pinot Noir, Sparkling Wines (e.g. Champagne, Cava, Franciacorta)

Other Food That Pairs Well with Chardonnay: Crab Cakes, Pan-Seared Scallops, Grilled Shrimp, Monkfish

View the Beautiful Umbria Wine Region: Umbria

A Source:  www. klwines.com