How to Match Red Wine with Fish

Smoke it! If you love red wine and want to enjoy it with something healthier than a steak, then cedar plank smoked salmon is the answer.

Cedar planks, once a specialty item, are now available at most supermarkets. Soak the plank in water while the grill heats up, add the salmon, and cook it for about 25 minutes. Soaking the plank is essential for good smoke generation; a dry plank will make your dinner catch on fire. I like to season my salmon with salt, pepper, and a light coating of sugar (1t/lb, approx). The sugar soaks up the smoke and sweetens the salmon's natural fat.

Grill smoked salmon has a full bodied flavor, so you can serve it with Cabernet or Syrah. If you want to match the tobacco notes of an aged Bordeaux, then I recommend using mesquite chunks as your smoke source.