This post has been sponsored by Yarden Wines. The following message is intended for an audience 21+ and all opinions expressed are my own. Please enjoy responsibly.
Last week, in reviewing the bottle I received from the Golan Heights Winery, I touched briefly on the Galilee region for which the winery is named, and I’ll go into a bit more depth today for those who might interested.
As promised last week, we’re taking another dive into what is lovingly described as “One the most interesting New World wine regions of the Old World” – Galilee.
The ‘Where’ – Golan Heights, Galilee, Israel
The Galilean wine region is divided (unofficially) into three areas, Upper Galilee, Lower Galilee, and the Golan Heights – which is the area we’re covering today. Like some of the best Old World wine regions, much of the Golan Heights sits at elevations in excess of fifteen-hundred feet, which helps guard against over-warm local temperatures, and facilitates higher than average rainfall. Add on soils that vary from being rich in limestone, volcanic basalt, and free-draining gravels, and you have the ingredients necessary for a star wine region. For these reasons, Galilee is comparable to New World wine regions such as the Sierra Foothills of California, or to Old World wine regions such as Rapsani in Greece, or to Burgundy, all of which feature similarly mineral-rich soil, balmy climates, and high elevations.
The Bottle – A Showcase
Today, we’re taking a look at a 2017 Yarden Chardonnay courtesy of the Golan Heights Winery.
Aromatics and Tasting – The Review
Off the top of the glass, the wine introduces itself with citrus and tropic fruits, with lush white flowers lingering in the background. On the palate, the wine is quite oaky, with vanilla-laced through a sliced pineapple, peach, and passion fruit experience, and ends on a lasting finish.
These qualities combined for a pleasant and refreshing wine, that I can wholeheartedly recommend to my readers.
What to Eat – Pairing Today’s Bottle
For pairing, the winemakers suggested seared salmon, and I decided to take their advice with today’s recipe – kind of. Now, while seared salmon is likely a delicious pairing, I wanted something that screamed “Summer!” a bit more forcefully and decided to prepare a salmon salad platter. I prepared my salmon in a cast-iron frying pan with a marinade consisting of jalapeno, grated garlic, fresh lime juice, honey, cilantro, sesame, and olive oil, and then plated the salmon shredded over romaine leaves with lime wedges, grilled corn and sliced jalapeno as a garnish. The pairing was simply divine.
Coincidentally, the winemakers also suggest pumpkin ravioli, and I actually prepared something very similar to that a couple of years ago – Sweet Potato Ravioli, which I think would pair equally well.
With all of that said, the standard chardonnay rules still apply here nevertheless. This is an oaky chardonnay, so you’ll want to compliment the oak with toasted or smoky flavors. Think grilled chicken, pan-seared fish, and salads topped with roasted nuts. Avoid bitter flavors, overly spicy dishes, and overly heavy foods.
Summer Salmon Salad featuring Yarden Wines
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 1 salmon filet 1x
Ingredients
- 2 ¼ lb. piece of salmon filet
- 1 head of Romaine lettuce
- 1 lime – quartered
- 1 large jalapeno – sliced with seeds
- Grilled corn on the cob – shaved from cob
For the Marinade:
- Juice of 1 lime
- 2 – 3 large cloves of garlic – grated
- 1 large jalapeno – sliced
- 3 tbs. of honey
- 1 tsp.of fresh ground sea salt
- 1 tsp. of fresh ground black pepper
- 1 tbs. of sesame oil
- 3 tbs. of olive oil
- ¼ cup of fresh cilantro – chopped
Instructions
- Combine all of the ingredients for the marinade in a medium sized bowl and stir.
- Place the salmon filet in a large bowl and pour the marinade over the fish.
- Cover the bowl and place in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to 1 hour.
For Cooking the Fish:
- Heat a large cast iron frying pan with 1 – 2 tbs. of olive oil.
- Place the fish in the pan and pour the rest of the marinade over the fish.
- Loosely cover the pan and let the fish cook for 10 – 12 minutes, or until the salmon is slightly firm. Don’t over-cook it! Salmon should still look slightly pink in the center.
- Salmon will change from red to pink as it cooks. After about 10 – 12 minutes of cooking check for doness.
- Take a knife to the thickest part of the salmon and gently see if the meat is beginning to flake, but still has a little translucency in the middle, then it is done. The salmon should not look raw.
To Plate the Salmon:
- Place the ripped Romaine leaves on a platter.
- Place the cooked salmon in the middle and pour the drippings from the pan over the salmon.
- Shred the salmon by using 2 forks.
- Garnish with the lime wedges, shaved grilled corn, sliced jalapeno and a drizzle of olive oil.
- Serve immediately.
- Prep Time: 12 minutes
- Cook Time: 13 minutes
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4-6
The Occasions – When To Serve This Bottle
For myself, I find this to be a very ‘relaxed’ wine. I can picture myself drinking this out on my dock under an umbrella with shellfish starters, or picking on brie warmed with pine nuts and orange peel with crackers or crostini, or drinking this out on my porch with a summer sunset.
In other words, enjoy this wine as an accompaniment to any relaxed summer activities, from garden parties to seaside lounging, to sunsets out on the porch.
Have you tried today’s wine, or prepared today’s recipe? If so, we would love to hear from you! Give us a shout out on Instagram or Facebook with a picture of what you prepared, or let us know down below how it turned out! We can’t wait to hear from you!
Cheers!
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DAVID J MYERS says
Catherine, Great salad! Love it! Now we’re going to have to make it! Just bought some fresh sweet corn too. Great summer time meal. Take Care, Big Daddy Dave
Gloria says
This is the perfect dinner for the summer patio. Perfect paired with a nice glass of wine. I think this will for sure be happening soon. We LOVE salmon.
Stacie says
Nothing beats good food and good wine! It’s the perfect way to enjoy the summer. I have to try both of these.
Suzanne says
Oh this pairing sounds so nice! I love salmon with white wine.
kumamonjeng says
Great wine with great food – I think it is a good pair. I would love to try out the salad, look yummy and super delicious.
Lisa says
I really love salmon, and salad, but just never thought to combine the two. This is a great summer recipe!
Jackline A says
I love Salad so I will be making this for myself. Thank you for sharing.
Claire says
I’ve never tried the wine but I know light wines make perfect combo with summer salads! Love salads like these.
Lara jarvis says
Fish with a crisp white wine – this screams summer to me and is so delicious! x
Shannon Gurnee says
I love salad and I love salmon. This looks like a delicious recipe.
Arya says
I love salmon. This looks delicious. Thank you for sharing this with us.
Rosey says
Oh let me just get slightly off topic and say I love that you mentioned pumpkin ravioli. It’s been a long time since I had that, I forgot about it. Now I will be making it soon!
Alexandra Cook says
Oh wow, this one is a winner. I would love to try making this. My husband would absolutely like this.
Aleta says
Yum! That salad looks amazing, and the dressing equally as tasty! We eat a lot of salads and salmon is my husbands favourite. I’ll have to make this one for him soon!
Kara says
The salad looks delicious, I do love washing it down with a chilled glass of wine
Loreto and Nicoletta Nardelli says
Warmth, the right amount of rain, and good volcanic soil, that wine might be pretty awesome! Paired with your gorgeous salmon salad and we have a fantastic meal!
Eva says
I have never had a chance to drink a wine from Galilee and now I’m intrigued. Your meticulous description certainly helped raise my curiosity. I’m gonna see at my local liqor store if they import any.
Paula Montenegro says
Stunning salmon! Which paired with good wine, especially white, screams summer, for sure! I’m printing the marinade, it sounds amazing!
Linda says
Salmon is my favorite fish and I love to grill it any time of year. And, of course, I always reach for a Chardonnay to have with it. This sounds like my kind of white wine. I love mine oaky with nice hints of vanilla and citrus so I’m putting this on my wine list to try.
Analida Braeger says
Looks like a perfect summer salad, I love smoked salamon so much, if I’m correct that what it is ?
Veronika's Kitchen says
Love salmon with a glass of white wine! it’s always a great combo and perfect for summer time!)
Kathryn says
I’m adding this salad to my summer salads list – sounds perfect for a light lunch! And I’m all about Chardonnay so need to see if I can find this one.
Claire | The Simple, Sweet Life says
This is such a fresh sounding salad! Love the combination of fresh flavors like lime with spicy flavors like jalapeno. Can’t wait to give this recipe a try.
Danielle says
Summer, salmon, wine… These three words can easily maky my weekend, so I am really excited to try your salad now!
Jagruti Dhanecha says
A glass of good quality wine would nicely complement with a delicious meal, and this summer salad looks so fresh.