With cooler weather settling in around the country, fireplaces are being lit, indoor dinner gatherings are becoming more frequent, and dinners are shifting from lighter grilled meats to heavier saucy stews, roasts and soups. With this, I see a change in the beverages I choose to enjoy with my food and cigar selections. I switch from Martinis garnished with a lemon twist to olives (preferably stuffed with unctuous bleu cheese). My Wine selections tend to go from lighter reds, roses and crisp whites to rich, bold and fruit-forward reds. Not big and jammy, but rich and elegant. Luscious. My cigar choices generally get a bit bolder as well.
Today, I am pairing a robust 125 Años Toro with a beautiful younger Côte du Rhône. Côte du Rhône tends to be my go-to wine of the fall and winter seasons. Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre grapes are the typical blending varietals of the region. It is generally easy-to-drink, light spice, red fruit and berry forward. A bit of lingering earth and blackberry brings out the nutty spice of the cigar perfectly. With delicious bottles from $15-$50 you can still find value in Côte du Rhône and the wines pair perfectly with your favorite holiday foods.
If you haven't tried Côte du Rhône, give it a go and grab your favorite La Palina Cigar to go with it. The 125 Años is pairing beautifully.
Cheers Everyone!