Exploring the Art of Pairing Wine with Cigars: A Match Made in Heaven

Enjoying the Taste of Wine with Cigars

Many people believe that whiskey is the ideal complement to a cigar; however, in Sonoma County, there exists a group that argues wine is the superior choice. At a recent event titled ‘Summer Smoke’ held at Rodney Strong Winery, I had the opportunity to meet with enthusiasts of both wine and cigars to discover why they prefer this pairing.

During the event, Rodney Strong collaborated with Squire Cigars, a company from Santa Rosa, California, which is marking its 50th year in the business of selling premium cigars. Kim Squire, the General Manager and daughter of founders Barney and Linda Squire, shared her perspective on the matter.

“People usually think that cigars pair best with whiskey or rum, but with the variety of cigar strengths, these spirits may overpower the cigar’s flavor. In contrast, wine tends to complement cigars better than other beverages,” she elaborated.

To illustrate her argument, Kim presented four distinct types of cigars, each complemented by four unique Rodney Strong wines. Attendees had the option to try a mini cigar alongside a small taste of wine, or they could opt for a full-sized cigar.

Renowned primarily for its prize-winning cabernet sauvignon from Alexander Valley and notably for their sought-after Bordeaux blend named Symmetry (available at $70 per bottle), Kim explored cigar pairings with these wines. Additionally, given that Rodney Strong offers a range of other appealing wines including sauvignon blanc, chardonnay, pinot noir, and port, she also paired cigars with two of these selections.

Portfolio of Wines Crafted by Rodney Strong Winery

Here are the four Rodney Strong wines that Kim Squire paired with cigars:

#1 – Rodney Strong Symmetry paired with Davidoff Winston Churchill Cigar – This cabernet blend boasts a rich and complex profile, featuring dark berry, earth, and coffee aromas. It pairs splendidly with the robust and complex Churchill cigar, which offers flavors of pepper, cream, dark chocolate, and coffee.

#2 – Rodney Strong Cabernet Sauvignon with Aladino Corojo Cigar – Characterized by its flavors of black currants, plum, boysenberry, cedar, and a touch of mocha, this elegant cabernet sauvignon matches well with the old world style of Aladino Corojo cigar, which features sweet spice, cocoa, cedar, and floral notes.

#3 – Rodney Strong Pinot Noir with Arturo Fuente Hemingway Cigar – The smooth black cherry and spice notes of this elegant pinot noir complement the lighter Arturo Fuente Hemingway cigar, which features nuances of sweet cream, cashews, coconut, and a peppery finish.

#4 – Rodney Strong Sauvignon Blanc with Avo XO Cigar – For those who prefer white wines, the zesty notes of grapefruit, floral, and pear in this sauvignon blanc are a perfect match with the smooth, delicate Avo XO cigar blend, which includes hints of salty cashews, cream, cedar, sweet molasses, leather, and spice.

Some of the Cigars Served at the Wine & Cigar Pairing Event at Rodney Strong

The ‘Summer Smoke’ event at Rodney Strong winery, which included a family style dinner, was held outdoors on the vast green lawn overlooking their vineyards in Sonoma County. Though not all guests at the sold-out event participated in both the cigar and wine tasting (some only did wine-tasting), it was much appreciated by cigar afficionados.

“A cigar is a nice way to continue the wine-pairing experience. A young Cabernet with bold fruit and firm tannins can greatly complement an earthy Robusto,” reported Palmer Emmitt, Owner and Winemaker of Emmitt-Scorsone Wines, as he sampled the different cigar and wine pairings.

Christopher O’Gorman, Senior Director of Communications at Rodney Strong Wine Estates, is also a fan of pairing wine and cigars. “Fine wine and great cigars are a match made in heaven. Both feature complex flavors that represent the places from which they are grown, and they both feature a wide spectrum of aromas and textures, from light and easy to bold and intense.”

Guests Relaxing on the Lawn at the Wine & Cigar Pairing Event at Rodney Strong Winery

However, Rodney Strong’s winemaker, Olivia Wright, chose not to partake in the cigar pairing, though she expertly described the wines to the attendees.

“I don’t smoke cigars, but our owner, Tom Klein, is quite fond of them with wine, as are many of our patrons,” Olivia Wright, the Winemaker at Rodney Strong Wine Estates, remarked.

“Additionally, everyone’s tastes are different, and I find it great when people enjoy their wine with cigars. The wine community will be enriched by embracing diverse preferences in wine pairings instead of adhering to strict traditional rules,” she continued.

Interestingly, both Squire Cigars and Rodney Strong Winery are family-owned enterprises, with Squire Cigars being founded in 1974 and Rodney Strong established earlier in 1959. Recently, Squire Cigars introduced wine lockers in their cigar shop, enabling customers to choose which wines from their lockers pairs best with cigars.

“Wine and cigars just go together,” mentioned Kim Squires, “so why not offer wine lockers at our cigar shop? Truly, people are missing out if they don’t pair their wine with cigars.”

Actor George Hamilton portrays the sophistication of pairing different types of wine and cigars.

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About the Author: Chris Lehoux

Meet Chris Lehoux, an experienced wine connoisseur and dedicated blogger with a deep passion for all things wine-related. With years of expertise in the industry, Chris shares insightful wine reviews, valuable wine tasting tips, expert pairing advice, and captivating tales of vineyard visits. Join Chris on a journey through the world of wine, where every sip is an adventure waiting to be savored!