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Wine pairings go up in smoke at Stogies

Lodi resident Russell Daniels has owned Stogies Cigar Lounge for almost two years, but his monthly wine and cigar pairing events are slowly becoming the talk of the town.

The event gives visitors a chance to see how different wines can enhance the cigar smoking experience. Representatives from cigar companies like Dominican Direct and wineries like Ehlers Estates meet to give visitors a snapshot of their line.

Daniels was formerly a car finance manager, until he heard that Stogies was up for sale and decided to purchase the cigar bar and shop. He has since become a cigar aficionado that has tried every one of the 145 different cigars that he has for sale.

Q: How do the wine and cigar pairing events work?

A: Locals will grab a couple of cigars and a glass of wine and then pair them up. Generally we try three different wines and pair them with the cigars. People can test if the cigar tastes better with the cabernet than maybe a chardonnay and if you establish that cabernet is best, then we'll compare a Jewel cabernet with a Woodbridge cabernet and try different wines to see how they taste with the cigar.

Q: Who has been attending these events?

A: There has been predominantly women at our wine tastings, which has been a lot of fun. Generally it's about 60 to 40 (ratio) here with more men. The age range is those in their later 20s to those in their 70s. But the majority of regulars are aged 35 to 50, I'd say.

Q: What are some of your favorite wine and cigar pairings?

A: The Jewel viognier works well with the H. Upmann Habano Corona Larga H2000 cigars. With the pinotage from Vino Con Brio, I'd go with any of the Punch line of cigars. For cabs, the Maduro cigars or light Maduro cigars. The H. Upmann Habano is also great with rum and Coke. The cigar has a hint of cedar and wood and the cigar is cedar-wrapped. It brings out the flavor of the Bacardi.

Q: What wines do you like with your cigars?

A: I like cabernet or zinfandel with cigars or a dark, heavy beer like Guinness or an Amberbock. Probably not with a white wine because people tend to drink them too fast. With a cigar, you're meant to sit back and enjoy it slower. It's necessary because cigars are about the taste you get in your palate. They are not like cigarettes, where you can puff them really quickly. It's a relaxation process. Some cigars take about 10 minutes. But a 12 inch by a 70 ring gauge Casablanca takes three hours.

Q: What are your best-selling cigars?

A: Probably the Macanudos because it's a big name but we're also planning to get more specialty cigars. Sweeties by Dominican Direct, which are flavored cigars in flavors like amaretto, chocolate, vanilla and cherry, have been popular with the ladies and there's a great taste to them.

Q: When did you buy the bar?

A: March 26, 2004.

Q: Are you planning anything else new in the future?

A: I'm planning to start classes every week on cutting cigars, on lighting cigars. You're not meant to inhale cigars but you see some people taking a deep breath and then they're outside choking. That can be a rude awakening.