Wine and cigars

[apnutter]

I went out if my comfort zone and purchased a local winery's semi sweet red wine while on a quick stop with the wife. I enjoy wine occasionally but not like beer. My question is, what sticks pair well with a semi sweet red wine? I know Pete Johnson is a wine drinker so I'm leaning towards a Tat but wanted to consult any serious wine drinkers.

Thoughts?

 

[CVAC085]

I've seen some pairings with a port wine. Jason @ZippoGeek has drank some port wine with a smoke.

I have yet to try it out. I've got like 6 bottles of port that needs my attention. Impulse buy at a local vineyard when they had a massive sale on 2012 vintages lol.

 

[ZippoGeek]

IMHO, anything other than Port or Madeira pairs terribly with a cigar. Madeira, however, is highly acidic. So I just stick with the Port...it's fantastic every time.

My $.02 -- YMMV.

 

[Tennessee Dave]

Port with a cigar is just one of those magical pairings. Highly recommended.

 

[Omerta]

Iv tried a few of my cigars with wines and wasn't a big fan. Last time I asked a similar question on here most everything I got back was try a port.

 

[sean]

Not to be a naysayer, but...

I don't get the port/cigar pairing. Most ports leave a syrupy film on my tastebuds, and I loose the cigar flavors. Is this just me?

As for the op, @jwintosh knows his stuff, and could probably give you some pointers.

 

[samb]

I think you may need to already be a wine drinker before you start pairing with cigars. Its different than beers/spirits and a lot of folks don't enjoy it. I go with a wine i like and a cigar i like. I don't know about specific pairings though.

 

[StogieJim]

Port and cigars. Good stuff. Not as good as a spirit/cigar combo or beer/cigar combo, but still really nice.

I can't imagine a glass of cab/merlot going too well with a cigar.

Let us know how it worked out!

 

[Mathen]

I think I probably count as a serious wine drinker.

There are as many theories on pairings as there are wine/cigar combos.

My rule of thumb (there are those who go completely opposite) big, bold reds (especially ones that have been heavily oaked or are young and full of tannin) do something with a broadleaf wrapper.

Softer, fruiter reds, go a little lighter on the cigar, but still something with a lot of flavor and medum/full to completely full bodied.

Dry whites, grab something with a San Andreas wrapper, or, like a JD Howard with that Brazilian wrapper that will give you a very contrasting flavor.

Semi-sweet or fruity whites (like a petite manseng) go for something like a Tat brown label or an El Truinfadors that will bring out the fruit notes without muting them


Sweet wines--unless you're doing a port or a mederia, stay away from that stuff. It's gimmicky.

 

[Zmilin]

I think this also depends on how one tastes wine. If you can taste the he nuisances and not the acids (tart or sour flavors) in the wine then pair away. If you are one that always gets the acid then steer away.
I can't speak to ports and medeira, never really ventured there.
I have listened to a few podcasts and spoke to a cigar maker that is a somalier. His view was (paraphrasing here), pair with spirits or malts and not with wine. Pair wine with food. I thought that was interesting to hear first hand.

 

[ZippoGeek]

I don't get the port/cigar pairing. Most ports leave a syrupy film on my tastebuds, and I loose the cigar flavors. Is this just me?

I've never noticed that myself; maybe you just don't like Port? Either way, pairings are as subjective as politics!

 

[sean]

I've never noticed that myself; maybe you just don't like Port? Either way, pairings are as subjective as politics!

Actually, I love Port and Madeira, just not with a cigar. weird...

 

[Duff8402]

I've never found a wine I've been able to stand. I don't like the flavor of the fermentation. That flavor of a glass of grape juice that is one day past expired, that you think MIGHT be ok, so you take a sip and you were wrong. I've tasted that in every glass of wine I've ever tried. If someone could recommend a wine to me that didn't taste like fermentation, I may one of these days become a wine drinker. Until then... Bourbon, and any craft beer that doesn't rhyme with "In the uh fail whale"

 

[ZippoGeek]

I've never found a wine I've been able to stand. I don't like the flavor of the fermentation. That flavor of a glass of grape juice that is one day past expired, that you think MIGHT be ok, so you take a sip and you were wrong. I've tasted that in every glass of wine I've ever tried. If someone could recommend a wine to me that didn't taste like fermentation, I may one of these days become a wine drinker. Until then... Bourbon, and any craft beer that doesn't rhyme with "In the uh fail whale"

Port is quite good with any cigar in my experience, although YMMV.

 

[anthony_elias85]

Port with a cigar is just one of those magical pairings. Highly recommended.

Agreed! A good port and a nice cigar go well together. I'll also enjoy a Malbec with a cigar as well.