Smoked Salmon, Fennel & Goat Cheese Toasts

INGREDIENTS:
• 8 oz soft fresh goat cheese
• 1 tablespoon fennel seeds, finely crushed
• 1/2 teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper
• 1 1/2 tablespoon chopped fresh tarragon
• 2 teaspoons grated lemon peel
• 30 thin slices French-bread baguette
• 2 1/2 tablespoons olive oil
• 12 oz thinly sliced smoked salmon
• Lemon peel strips (for garnish)
• Tarragon sprigs (for garnish)

DIRECTIONS:
Preheat oven to 350°F. Mix first 5 ingredients in small bowl to blend. Set aside.
Brush oil over both sides of bread. Arrange bread in single layer on large baking sheet. Bake until bread is just crisp, about 5 minutes per side. (Cheese mixture and toasts can be made 2 days ahead. Cover cheese mixture and chill. Cool toasts; store airtight at room temperature.)  Spread cheese mixture over toasts. Top with salmon, trimming to fit. Garnish with lemon peel strips and tarragon sprigs. Arrange on platter and serve. Recipe compliments of Bon Appétit, December 1999

Riva Leone
Cortese DOCG
Gavi, Italy

Today old vine growers of Piedmont still tell the story of the shrewd and tenacious fine-wine trader who operated in the hills around Alba in the 19th and 20th centuries. His name was Riva Leone and he was a pretty extravagant character. It is said that, whenever a wine pleased him during a tasting, he would call out in the way that was typical for that time: Marca Leone! The Piedmont people’s enthusiasm for wine never faded over all these years and today it is still intact. And that is why Riva Leone today boasts a range of fine Piedmont wines. Cortese di Gavi or known simply as Gavi, derives it name from the town at the center of it’s production zone. Cortese, the local variety of the grape style, production dates back to 1876 and was awarded DOC status in 1974 and DOCG in 1998.

Winemaker: Giovanni Alessandria
Appellation: Gavi, Italy
Varietal Blend:  100% Gavi
Analysis: 12.5% alc/vol