Team #3: Janice G. & Craig R.
Menu item: Broiled Salmon with Béarnaise Sauce, Pommes Natures and Sauteed Zucchini
Salmon fillet cooked and broiled until buttery and flaky with a crispy skin, served with a creamy mildly acidic Béarnaise Sauce. Gently steamed potatoes and lightly sauteed herbed zucchini on the side.
Wine Pairings:
2015 Schramsberg blanc de blanc Chardonnay Napa Valley CA
2016 Chateau St. Michelle Chardonnay Columbia Valley WA
2018 Craggy Range Sauvignon Blanc Martinborough, NZ
The sparkling blanc de blanc Schramsberg wine from Napa Valley California would pair lovely with the creamy buttery salmon dish due to its subtle acidity which can tone down the fat and creaminess found in the salmon, Béarnaise, and potatoes; while the soft toasty yeast notes can enhance the dish’s light flavor profiles found in each component.
Chardonnay, being one of the most popular grapes grown in California, is very versatile when it comes to wine. In the north coast of Napa Valley, Chardonnay, along with many other grapes, bears more intense flavors and acidity due to the cooling temperature the fog brings into the bay. Winds coming from the north and the south of the Pacific creates a layer of fog that rolls east into the bay, cooling the grapes at first, which then dissipates and warms up once the sun hits the fog. The change in temperature creates stress on the vines, allowing grapes to grow with stronger intense flavors. Vinification includes as many methods as possible, including the traditional method for sparkling wine. According to Schramsberg’s website, the wine is aged on the yeast lees for over two years, prior to disgorgement, creating some complexity in the wine while keeping its ability to maintain structure and refine finish. California has proved it’s worth in world class viticulture and vinification, being able to produce fine wine that matches those around the world, such as Schramsberg’s blanc de blanc sparkling Chardonnay to pair well with the broiled salmon and Béarnaise sauce.
N.A. (2016) Vineyards. Schramsberg. Retrieved from
