Enjoying the Taste of Wine with Cigars

Many believe that whiskey is the best companion for a cigar, but in Sonoma County, a circle of enthusiasts argues that wine is the superior choice. During a recent ‘Summer Smoke’ dinner event at Rodney Strong Winery, I had the chance to engage with several proponents of this pairing and delve into their reasoning.

The gathering saw a partnership between Rodney Strong and Squire Cigars, a business in Santa Rosa, California, currently marking its 50^th anniversary. General Manager Kim Squire, whose parents, Barney and Linda Squire, founded the company, shared insightful perspectives on this debate.

“Traditionally, people associate whiskey or rum with cigars as the ideal pairing. However, considering the variety of cigar strengths, pairing them with something milder like wine can actually enhance the experience, making it a better complement to the cigars than other beverages,” she noted.

To demonstrate her perspective, Kim presented four distinct types of cigars each paired with a selection from Rodney Strong wines. The attendees had the option to try these pairings with a small sample of cigar and a taste of wine, or to indulge in a full-sized cigar.

Rodney Strong is particularly renowned for its award-winning cabernet sauvignon wines from Alexander Valley, most notably the Bordeaux blend known as Symmetry which retails for $70 per bottle. While highlighting cigar pairings for these specific wines, Kim also explored possible pairings with other Rodney Strong varietals such as sauvignon blanc, chardonnay, pinot noir, and port, pairing two of these as well.

Portfolio of Wines Crafted by Rodney Strong Winery

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

#1 – Rodney Strong Symmetry paired with Davidoff Winston Churchill Cigar – The deep and complex flavors of berries, earth, and coffee in this cabernet blend complement the robust tastes of pepper, cream, dark chocolate, and coffee found in the Churchill cigar.

#2 – Rodney Strong Cabernet Sauvignon with Aladino Corojo Cigar – Bursting with notes of black currants, plum, boysenberry, cedar, and a touch of mocha, this refined cabernet pairs beautifully with the Aladino Corojo cigar. This cigar offers a bouquet of sweet spice, cocoa, cedar, and floral nuances.

#3 – Rodney Strong Pinot Noir with Arturo Fuente Hemingway Cigar – The velvety black cherry and spice flavors of the pinot noir are perfectly matched with the lighter, creamy sweetness and subtle pepper notes of the Hemingway cigar.

#4 – Rodney Strong Sauvignon Blanc with Avo XO Cigar – For those who favor white wine, the crisp and aromatic grapefruit, floral, and pear notes of the sauvignon blanc pair exquisitely with the smooth, mild flavors of the XO cigar, which highlights 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 featured a family-style dinner and was conducted outdoors on a large grassy area with a picturesque view of the vineyards in Sonoma County. Although not everyone at the fully booked event engaged in both the cigar and wine tastings (with a select few opting solely for wine-tasting), the cigar enthusiasts found much to enjoy.

“A cigar is a wonderful addition to the wine-pairing journey. A youthful Cabernet, rich with bold fruits and sturdy tannins, pairs exceptionally well with an earthy Robusto,” explained Palmer Emmitt, Owner and Winemaker at Emmitt-Scorsone Wines, as he explored various cigar and wine combinations.

Christopher O’Gorman, Senior Director of Communications at Rodney Strong Wine Estates, also enjoys the dynamic between wine and cigars. “Exceptional wine paired with fine cigars is like a match made in heaven. Both possess intricate flavors that echo their origins and cover a broad range of aromas and textures, from delicate and smooth to rich and robust,” he noted.

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

But Rodney Strong winemaker, Olivia Wright, decided not to participate in the pairing, though she did an excellent job describing the wines to guests.

“I don’t smoke cigars, but our proprietor, Tom Klein, greatly enjoys them – especially with wine, and so do many of our winery customers,” stated Olivia Wright, Winemaker with Rodney Strong Wine Estates.

“Also, I know that we all have different palates, and so if people enjoy pairing wine with cigars, I think that is wonderful. The world of wine will be a better place if we get rid of rules about what people should and shouldn’t like about wine pairing,” she added.

Interestingly both Squire Cigars and Rodney Strong winery are family owned businesses, with Squire Cigars first opening their doors in 1974 and Rodney Strong established in 1959. Recently, Squire Cigars introduced wine lockers to their cigar shop, enabling customers to receive advice on selecting the best wine from their lockers to pair 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 epitomizes the elegance of pairing different types of wine and cigars.

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