Pairing Wine With Cigars

Do Cigars Pair Well with Wine?

The answer is absolutely! Cigars and wine are the perfect dancing partners, giving the audience endless possibilities with every sip and puff. Typically enjoyed with other spirits, pairing a cigar with wine is becoming more popular. The trick is in knowing how to properly combine the two. The art of winemaking prides itself on maintaining a delicate balance between flavor, body, and complexity, which could easily be ruined by a cigar. In fact, with so many kinds of cigars and wines on the market, pairing them can seem a bit overwhelming. Below are some basic suggestions to follow that can help you have an enjoyable experience.

Some wine connoisseurs will tell you that smoking cigars will decrease the sensitivity in your taste buds and prevent you from fully enjoying a nice wine and being able to pick out the flavor notes. But we tend to disagree. We believe that just like pairing food with wine, pairing cigars with wine can help enhance flavors in the wine and the cigar itself.

The general thinking is to pair the same attributes of the wine and the cigar. A light bodied cigar pairs well with a light bodied wine. A full bodied cigar works well with bold red wines. If you wish to delve in further, you can break it down into the flavors in both the cigar and the wine to find the favorable pairings. Visiting a local tobacco store or winery will guide you in the right direction to items best suited for your budget and palate.

Tip: Neither the wine or the cigar has to be expensive to have an enjoyable experience. But pairing them correctly will definitely give you the best chances.

Pairing Cigars with Red Wine

The most popular wine to pair with cigars is red wine. This is because red wine tends to be bolder and have a heavier body than white wine. Thus, a red wine won’t get overpowered as easily as white wine or rosé might. Red wines also have earthy and smoky undertones that go with many different types of cigars.

Cigar aficionados will typically choose a nice Chianti as an all around go to wine. Red wine can also have slightly bitter notes which will complement the rich smokiness of a cigar. A cigar that is medium or full-bodied will be lightened up and complemented very well with a malbec or merlot.

When pairing wine and cigars, you will need to pay attention to the flavors in both to ensure they complement each other. This is not very difficult with red wines an cigars, because both have similar flavor profiles. Notes of cherries, almonds, earth, leather and pepper can be found in both and pair excellent together.

Tip: The tannins in red wines and the smoke from cigars will both dry your mouth out. Keep a glass of water nearby to stay hydrated and to cleanse your palate.

Pairing Cigars with White Wine

This can be a difficult task because a cigar can easily overpower a delicate white wine. However, it is not impossible to find a white wine that drinks well with a light bodied cigar. The aromas and flavors of a Sauvignon Blanc or Chardonnay can be very enjoyable with the right cigar. And a chilled white wine can also seem refreshing to contrast the cigar. Our favorite is a well-oaked Chardonnay, especially in the evening after a hot day.

Pairing Cigars with Rosé

Rosé wines combine traits from both red and white wine and can have wonderful aroma. Fruity smells of strawberry, pink grapefruit, and raspberry with a red fruit taste is common for this wine. Rosé is a refreshing drink that can compliment a wide range of cigars. Typically, a medium-bodied cigar pairs the best with a Rosé. The right cigar can sometimes bring out notes and textures out of the wine that might have gone unnoticed. Cigar aficionados say that a crisp Rosé is the perfect palate cleanser when enjoying a smoke.

Pairing Cigars with Dessert Wine

Dessert wines are often have a stronger flavor and ABV% which means the wine won’t get overpowered as easily. Dessert wines such as Port, Madeira, and Sherry tend to be be rich and heavy and can complement an oaky, spicy, or nutty flavored cigar. We recommend a full-bodied cigar. Because dessert wines are sipped, they are the perfect partner for a cigar that oftentimes can take an hour or longer to enjoy.

Tip: try dipping the unlit end of the cigar into the wine for a smoother pull of smoke and an immediate aftertaste of the wine. A port or sherry are perfect for this.

Best Wine To Pair With Cigars

If you are planning on enjoying a cigar with your wine, choose a wine and cigar that are similar in flavor profiles and body. During a cold and chilly night, a glass of Chianti and a medium bodied cigar is one we definitely recommend. While relaxing during a hot summer evening, a glass of Chardonnay or Rosé is the perfect complement with a cigar.