The Wine
2009 A to Z Wineworks Pinot Noir (Oregon)
We first tried Pinot Noir with salmon at Anthony's Pier 66 last summer, and it proved to be an awakening of sorts. The splendid balance between the fish and the wine gave us our first glimpse of what was possible when the proper wine was served with the proper dish.
In the Pacific Northwest, Oregon is still the place to go to for the best Pinot Noirs. This one comes to us from A to Z Wineworks in Dundee via our local Metropolitan Market. Due to their high quality and increasing visibility, many Oregon Pinots have been climbing in price, but this one can be had for around $20. It was stored in our living room for about a week, then we decanted it for about an hour before tasting.
The Food
For Valentine's Day, we paired up our cooking skills and made a northwest classic: salmon, asparagus and smashed potatoes. Katy tackled the salmon and potatoes while Hunter prepared the asparagus.
