By john

November 4, 2006 12:46 PM | Link to this

now i know where the term “wine snobs” came from. why can’t a guy smoke a cigar and drink a glass of wine? who cares if its port, merlot, cab, or pinot. big deal, wine is all about personal tastes as is cigar smoking. as for the people who think cigar smoke is “yech or blech” grow up or find a different watering hole.

By Marty Lou

October 30, 2006 4:21 PM | Link to this

I have been known to enjoy a cigar or two from time to time, and in my opinion, scotch is a better accompaniment as the taste is not overpowered by the smoke. Port is okay with cigars, but the better match is scotch. Incidentally, I do not smoke cigars in restaurants nor in other people’s homes, so I’m not exposing others who don’t wish to partake as well. I don’t criticize anyone for disliking or even hating them, and I feel that the same consideration for my taste should be shown, too.

By Steve

October 28, 2006 7:32 PM | Link to this

Hi again “Uncorked,” My personal opinion on cigars and wine is that the best complement to a cigar is a ruby port such as a vintage port, or a vintage character, and plenty of fresh air. A common compromise is the ozone machine installed in many restaurants where they allow smoking of all sorts, but they don’t want to offend their non-smoking customers. I think these machines are terrible. The smell and feel of ozone-enriched air is more offensive to my nose, throat, and lungs than even moderate smoke. It’s a creepy feeling breathing the stuff.

By TOM T

October 27, 2006 4:00 PM | Link to this

a fine wine and a cigar? I’d rather drink vendage….ala carte

By Mary

October 25, 2006 6:59 PM | Link to this

The perfect pairing, of course, would be that red Two-Buck-Chuck you’ve been saving. The point is not to savor the taste of the wine, but to flavor the taste of the cigar.

By TJ

October 25, 2006 4:27 PM | Link to this

Here in CA, I think it’s a law on the books…but I only know of wine bars and or cigar “bars”. Most recently at my bachelor party we stopped off at one. Humidor in the front and bar in the back. The security wouldn’t let me in the bar with my cigar. Once I had my drink I tried working back to the front and again was stopped. I honestly think that the smoke inhalation kills the taste buds so, maybe a port but nothing else. I agree witha good scotch or whiskey because of bitter tartness cuts through the smoke film on one’s tongue.

By Wineaux

October 24, 2006 5:52 PM | Link to this

Sounds truly revolting to me!

By Tom

October 24, 2006 5:17 PM | Link to this

The types of wines, foods, and cigars people enjoy are all part of a lifestyle choice. For example, if a person likes a dry red wine with fish, let them enjoy. If they like a fine cigar with their favorite wine, let them enjoy. The moment these people stop enjoying these combinations because wine writers or enthusiasts talk about “how nasty” of a combination it seems, it is infringing their lifestyle. I do not want to be told what wines and foods to eat by someone as I will experiment on my own. Just as if I were a cigar smoker and wanted to experiment with various types of wines and cigars. Granted, certain foods and wines are going to compliment eachother better than others just as certain wines and cigars do, I’m sure. It cannot be stressed enough that it is a personal choice and that those choices should be respected. Objectivity is not something I would want to lose because I bought into some kind of hype.

By Linda

October 24, 2006 4:23 PM | Link to this

We get many customers who want to pair our ports with cigars, especially our “Crowne Amber” which is particularly strong and spicy. Smoking is not permitted in the winery, however, out of consideration to the other patrons. I say to each his own! If I ran my place to make only me happy, I’d have been out of business a long time ago. — Woodstone Creek Winery & Distillery

By Sally

October 24, 2006 3:59 PM | Link to this

I find cigars completely and totally disgusting. The worst part? I get a 2-day migraine if I’m anywhere near cigar smoke. So, you cigar-puffers out there are making other people sick. Cigars with wine? NEVER!

By fifi

October 24, 2006 3:45 PM | Link to this

if you can’t enjoy a fine 30 or 40 cigar because you feel the wine is not right…then something is wrong with you……cigars with port and wine are great…….men and women have enjoyed them for a long time…

By Don "Woody" Woodward

October 24, 2006 3:24 PM | Link to this

Wine and Cigars? They both sell well for us at Old Firehouse, but if I had my choice, we wouldn’t sell them. Cabernet and Semi-sweet chocolate, pizza and a sweet Red, Seyval Blanc and a chicken breast. But a mouthful of tastebud-searing smoke and a Chardonnay? A Merlot? C’mon, we all know it’s a like my wife having to drive a Lexus.

By fred tasker, miami herald

October 24, 2006 2:40 PM | Link to this

And another thing: The French put such emphasis on the quality of their food. But in the average Paris bistro you see diners with a fork in one hand and a cigarette in the other — alternating bites and puffs. Go figure.

By fred tasker, miami herald

October 24, 2006 2:38 PM | Link to this

I once visited a hotel the day after a cigar dinner. It was still so toxic you couldn’t taste wine there because even the chardonnays smelled like burning leaves. Yecch.

By Ann Boucher

October 24, 2006 12:00 PM | Link to this

You noticed I let my husband, Chuck, answer this question. That’s because I’m still queasy from a cigar and wine dinner I participated in with John Alban in the early 1990’s, when it was the big fad.

By cathy

October 24, 2006 11:47 AM | Link to this

I don’t smoke anything but just being around cigar smokers (or any smokers) kills the taste of my wine. Even when they’ve stopped smoking, it’s all over their clothes, etc. Gross. Blech.

By Bob

October 24, 2006 11:01 AM | Link to this

In general I agree with you… but never say never. Certainly Port is the wine typically discussed in connection with cigars but I would not recommend that you smoke cigars with any wine… however if you are having a cigar and you want wine then a good firm Port is a logical choice. On the rare occasions where I have lost my senses and do smoke a cigar, I prefer a good peaty, smoky Scotch like Talisker.

By Todd

October 24, 2006 10:26 AM | Link to this

I’m going to have to disagree, for myself at least. I can understand how some do not enjoy it, and I do not enjoy it with all cigars, or with all wines. (for example, I’d probably never smoke a cigar with a white) However, with a properly spicy wine, (I have in mind several spanish, or some cab sauvs) and a mild to medium cigar, it can have the same effect as that of a proper wine/food pairing for some. I am not saying everyone will get the same feeling, as one has to enjoy cigars beforehand, but for those of us who do, I think it’s well worth it on occassion.

By Denise

October 24, 2006 8:59 AM | Link to this

NO! I’m with you 100% on this one.

By Dr. Vino

October 24, 2006 8:43 AM | Link to this

Hey - at least you have the option! Here in NY, you can only buy books and stemware at wine shops. Cigars with your cognac? Cheese with your wine? Whoa, things might get outta control.