Cigar World Pairing Guide: Cigars & Wine

Premium products invite comparisons to each other. After all, similar levels of quality, care, and craftsmanship are required to produce things like sports cars, bespoke watches, or fine wines. Perhaps, then, it’s no surprise that high-quality wines and premium cigars pair so well together. Both are artisanal, natural products that age beautifully and offer connoisseurs rich and rewarding experiences. If you love cigars or wine, or you want to learn more about either, then check out our guide for pairing cigars and wine here. 

When to Enjoy Cigars & Wine

Technically speaking, you could enjoy a glass of wine with a cigar any time of day. However, we’d generally recommend partaking in a wine and cigar pairing after dinner. Wine pairs well with food and it’s best practice to smoke cigars on a full stomach — particularly if you’re new to the hobby. 

How to Pair Cigars & Wine

There are no hard and fast rules for pairing cigars with wine, but you can identify complementary flavors in both wine and cigars. For instance, if you’re sipping on a tart Riesling, you may want to look for a cigar with cream or honey flavors to balance the palette. Of course, pairing is an inexact science, so feel free to mix and match wines and cigars to suit your tastes. 

Wine & Cigar Recommendations

Macanudo Estate Reserve & Cabernet Sauvignon 

Some wines and cigars may feel like surprising partners, but that is certainly not the case with the Macanudo Estate Reserve series and a bold Cabernet Sauvignon. That’s because Estate Reserve features tobacco aged in Flint Knoll’s French Oak wine barrels. The creamy richness of the Ecuadorian Connecticut Shade wrapper from the cigar plays wonderfully with the berry and spiced notes of the wine. Pick up a box and a bottle for a special occasion.

Diamond Crown Julius Caeser & Syrah

Syrahs (and Pinot Noirs) often deliver earthy, mineral flavor profiles that pair best with dark chocolate and deeper, sweeter notes. If you prefer your wines on the drier side, consider reaching for the Diamond Crown Julius Caeser. Named after the founder of J.C. Newman Cigar Co. (with a nod to the Roman Emperor of a similar name) this medium-bodied cigar delivers a satisfying smoke with plenty of chocolatey, nutty, and fruity notes to counteract the strong earth tones of a Syrah.

CAO Italia & Pinot Grigio

Of course, a cigar made with Italian tobacco is going to go great with a classic Italian-style wine like Pinot Grigio. CAO Italia features a Honduran Habano wrapper and, as you might imagine, Italian Habano seed filler. The result is a bold cigar packed with sweet and spicy tasting notes. We recommend pairing it with a light and crisp Pinot Grigio. This is a fantastic option if you’re enjoying wine and cigar at a lunch or after a lighter dinner!

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