Crios Torrontes and Cilantro Salmon

At my last stop of the day I ran into a fellow wine rep/friend Fred, and along with our friend Katie (who just happens to work at the shop), we started talking about anything and everything and of course the topic turned to...food and wine! Fred had made this fabulous salmon with a cilantro crust the other night and both Katie and I were drooling by the time he finished telling us how he prepared it! My dear husband Ken called at that moment (timing was too perfect!) and he happened to be at Costco, where they have some beautiful salmon filets that he just had to pick up! Please honey, please!

So then I race home, eager to enjoy some salmon, but with what wine? Thank goodness I always have good wine at the house. I am a wine rep, after all! Ahh, yes, a bottle of Crios de Susana Balbo Torrontes. I promptly plop that bottle into an ice bath and start making dinner.

The Crios Torrontes has enticing aromas that are strikingly similar to Viognier, with hints of peach pit, white pear, flowers, and orange citrus fruit. On the palate, it has beautiful structure and acidity similar to Sauvignon Blanc along with enticing fruit flavors that keep you coming back for another sip and plenty of body for a wine that shows such delicate aromas and flavors. Fruity, floral and yet still quite dry, this wine has to be tasted to be believed. Keep one in the house at all times!

Are you drooling yet? Here's the recipe!

Salmon with Cilantro Crust
salmon filet
cilantro
olive oil
garlic
lemon zest
salt & pepper to taste

Lay the filet (skin side down) on a pan drizzled with olive oil. make a "pesto" with the remaining ingredients. I didn't measure anything, just made it by sight. Once it looks like pesto, and if it tastes good to you, then you are done! Spread the "pesto" on top of the salmon. Place filet under a broiler for 2-7 minutes depending on how thick your filet and how close the fish is to the broiler. Broil until done.

I served my salmon with angel hair pasta drizzled with olive oil and a touch of the cilantro pesto.

Outcome: The Crios Torrontes and salmon are a perfect match, and the cilantro/garlic/lemon crust made it even better! Enjoy!