Wine is delicious on its own, and sometimes pairing wine with a food item can enhance the flavor of both the food and the wine. But did you know that you can pair certain wines with certain cigars to help bring out different flavors you might not have expected?
While smoking has gone down in the United States over the last several years, there are still a lot of folks out there that enjoy a good cigar every once in a while. Cigars are different than cigarettes in that you’re not supposed to inhale the smoke, but instead let the smokey flavors hold in your mouth and then blow them out.
With cigars, the tobacco and additives help create unique flavor profiles very similar to wines. You can have a cigar with a fruity aroma or a cigar with a more earthy taste to it, or a cigar with a heavy or light feel to it. Just like wines there are different combinations of aroma and flavor that you may like more than others, and there are even cigar sommeliers!
It’s only natural that you should be able to pair these two things to help bring out the flavor profiles in both! So, let’s take a look at different cigar types that would pair well with some of our Hope Family Wines!
Which Cigars Pair Well With Wine?
We’re going to take a look at some of the different types of wines that you can pair with different types of cigars. At Hope Family Wines, we offer a number of different varietals of wine that you can sip as you puff on your favorite cigar.
Red Wines and Cigars
Cabernet Sauvignon – Known for its boldness and robust structure, Cabernet Sauvignon pairs exceptionally well with full-bodied cigars such as Maduro or Oscuro wrappers. The wine’s dark fruit flavors and firm tannins beautifully complement the earthy and rich flavors of the cigar.
Our Austin Hope Cabernet Sauvignon will pair great with these types of cigars as well as on its own!
Syrah – With its spicy notes and fruit flavors, Syrah wine pairs very well with medium to full-bodied cigars like Habano or Nicaraguan cigars. The smoky undertones of the cigar align perfectly with the wine’s peppery characteristics.
If you’re looking for a great Syrah to pair with these types of cigars, we recommend our Austin Hope Syrah with its layered textures and delicious flavors.
Malbec – Malbec wines boast deep, dark fruit flavors, velvety tannins, and a touch of smokiness. Pair it with a medium to full-bodied cigar with a Connecticut Broadleaf or Brazilian wrapper, and you’ll discover a delightful combination that balances the wine’s fruitiness with the cigar’s complexity.
Our Austin Hope Malbec is the perfect pairing with its concentrated wildberry flavors with abundant freshness and complexity.
Pinot Noir – With its delicate flavors, silky texture, and vibrant acidity, Pinot Noir is an excellent choice for pairing with milder cigars like Connecticut Shade wrappers. The wine’s red fruit notes and subtle earthiness provide a delightful contrast to the cigar’s creamy and smooth profile.
The fresh fruit flavors of our Austin Hope Pinot Noir present earthy nuances of mushroom and clove which create a wonderful pairing with these types of cigars.
Merlot – The soft, velvety texture and fruity characteristics of Merlot make it a great companion for a range of cigars. For a well-rounded experience, try it with a medium-bodied cigar with an Ecuadorian Sumatra or Cameroon wrapper.
Our Austin Hope Merlot is a great complement to these types of cigars with its rich, vibrant textures and a velvety tannin structure.
White Wines and Cigars
Sauvignon Blanc – With its vibrant acidity and refreshing citrus flavors, Sauvignon Blanc complements cigars with Connecticut Shade or Ecuadorian Connecticut wrappers. The wine’s zesty profile cuts through the creamy elements of the cigar, creating a delightful contrast.
Our Treana Sauvignon Blanc is a clean platinum hue that opens with beautiful aromas of tropical guava and hints of lemon grass and would pair wonderfully with these types of cigars.
Chardonnay – When it comes to full-bodied white wines, Chardonnay is the most popular wine available. Its rich, buttery texture and flavors of tropical fruits and oak pair wonderfully with cigars that have a Connecticut Broadleaf or Mexican San Andrés wrapper.
Our Austin Hope Chardonnay has flavors of pear, golden apple and tropical fruit, which make it an excellent pairing choise for cigars of these kids.
Pairing Your Wine With Cigars
Some people will tell you that smoking a cigar inhibits the tastebuds in the mouth, therefore you don’t experience the full flavor of the wine, but if you pick the right cigar, one that properly compliments the wine, then the experience should bring out the best in both the wine and the cigar.
Use the above suggestions as a guide when trying to determine which wines pair best with certain types of cigars. Not everyone will agree with these suggestions, and you may find that you don’t enjoy pairing wine and cigars, but this should help you get started.
If you don’t currently smoke cigars, we wouldn’t recommend picking up the habit just to pair with your wines, but if you’re already a cigar smoker and looking to enhance the flavor of your cigars and your wines, then you pay want to try these pairing suggestions.