cigars and champagne

[Ken Gargett]

came across this article. not sure it adds much but worth posting.

 

Champagne and Cigars

3rd June 2026

A somewhat debatable topic amongst both Champagne and cigar connoisseurs – Should you really be pairing these two iconic lifestyle legends together?

Without closing any arguments down, let’s take the side of our freedom to choose – If we enjoy a pairing, then we shouldn’t have to be persuaded against our preference. Nonetheless, let us take a look at both the pros and cons of pairing Champagne and cigars.

There are many similarities between the two, to include:

• Can be enjoyed alone or alongside complementary products including food.
• Have varying prices.
• Have varying suppliers.
• Can be young and aged.
• Have varying flavour styles.
• Have strict guidelines on storage.
• Seen as luxury /  lifestyle products.
• Have strict guidelines on health effects.

Champagne has many guidelines on how best to be enjoyed, including serving temperature to the glassware the wine is poured into. Over recent years, Champagne has been highlighted frequently for its food pairing qualities, with many Michelin star restaurants suggesting iconic labels to enjoy alongside iconic dishes.

Cigars, though normally seen alongside whiskies and coffee, are also open to pairing with wines. Both Cigars and Champagne are enjoyed to the fullest when in the correct environment and with the best preparation.

Usually, it is how the flavour styles pair which determines each’s suitability when pairing. Cigars can be light bodied to full bodied, similar to Champagne.

• Light body Cigars – Youthful Champagnes, blanc de blancs.
• Medium body Cigars – Rosé Champagnes, blanc de noirs, medium aged vintages.
• Full body Cigars – Rosé de Saignée, older vintage Champagnes.

Remembering duration is also important, smoking a cigar can take up to an hour or more, so having a quality Champagne that you are equally prepared to enjoy slowly would make perfect sense. A Champagne will refresh the palate as you smoke.

It will pay you to read up on flavour notes prior to pairing a Champagne with a cigar, as each will have characteristics that might clash or complement.

 

[ThePolskiOgorki]

@Ken Gargett What would you recommend with a bottle of Deutz Classic and for a Pol Roger Brut Reserve?

 

[dicko]

Love this combo. The palate cleansing is a major positive factor for me.

Sent from my SM-S938B using Tapatalk
 

[REesq]

3 hours ago, ThePolskiOgorki said:

Deutz Classic and for a Pol Roger Brut Reserve

The Deutz has a higher proportion of Chardonnay and is lighter and more vibrant than the Pol Roger, which is typically more like 2/3rds Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. Hence, a lighter cigar for the Deutz and a more robust cigar for the Pol Roger. For cigars, I love the “British Chanpagnes” Pol Roger, particularly the SWC, and Bollinger, particularly the RD, with a nice full bodied cigar the the Partigas P2 or a BBF. 

[Ken Gargett]

2 hours ago, REesq said:

The Deutz has a higher proportion of Chardonnay and is lighter and more vibrant than the Pol Roger, which is typically more like 2/3rds Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. Hence, a lighter cigar for the Deutz and a more robust cigar for the Pol Roger. For cigars, I love the “British Chanpagnes” Pol Roger, particularly the SWC, and Bollinger, particularly the RD, with a nice full bodied cigar the the Partigas P2 or a BBF. 

no argument from me here. 

only other suggestion is that i'd be going more interested in simply picking a cigar i liked and a champagne i liked rather than worrying too much about how they combined. 

[JohnS]

7 hours ago, Ken Gargett said:

A somewhat debatable topic amongst both Champagne and cigar connoisseurs – Should you really be pairing these two iconic lifestyle legends together?

There is no debate. It's not even a question. You definitely should be pairing champagne and cigars together!

[Li Bai]

It probably is the best alcoholic pairing, period. To my taste anyway...

[SirVantes]

I'll be contrarian - no, to my palate champagne does not go with cigars. On the one hand I find that a cigar overwhelms the charms of a champagne, be it the vibrancy of an NV, the delicacy and dancing freshness of a BdB, or even the depth of pinot noir-heavy expression. On the other hand, champagne has just about the highest acidity of any wine, and I find that it "strips" my palate to the extent that I find cigars harsh. Your mileage may vary.   

[BrightonCorgi]

I put no effort into pairing cigars and beverages. I think it's a bit of malarky. Go with what you like at the moment.

[Lucas Buck]

It is a wonderful cigar companion. Wish I could pair them more but my wife doesn’t drink and since I moved away from home I have no one to share bubbly and cigars with. I’m not drinking a bottle of champers on my own - well at least not often. Sparkling water is a reasonable substitute. 

[BrightonCorgi]

8 hours ago, Lucas Buck said:

It is a wonderful cigar companion. Wish I could pair them more but my wife doesn’t drink and since I moved away from home I have no one to share bubbly and cigars with. I’m not drinking a bottle of champers on my own - well at least not often. Sparkling water is a reasonable substitute. 

Splits! I prefer sparkling water with a cigar over Champagne. So does my mid section lol.

[Lucas Buck]

7 minutes ago, BrightonCorgi said:

Splits!  I prefer sparkling water with a cigar over Champagne.  So does my mid section lol.

Yeah I should look in to splits. My local doesn’t carry them. Maybe I’ll go on the hunt next trip to Fargo. 

[JPark3]

1 hour ago, Lucas Buck said:

It is a wonderful cigar companion. Wish I could pair them more but my wife doesn’t drink and since I moved away from home I have no one to share bubbly and cigars with. I’m not drinking a bottle of champers on my own - well at least not often. Sparkling water is a reasonable substitute. 

I second the sparkling water, I usually have a can or two of Waterloo with whatever I'm smoking

[BrooksW]

FWIW, the Illusione Epernay was specifically blended to be paired with Champagne, and it is one of the best blends in Dion's portfolio, and I consider Dion to be one of the best blenders of New World cigars. I would absolutely give the cigar a try if you are looking to pair a specific cigar with Champagne. 

Hope that helps!

[ha_banos]

Ok known writer. Cigar credentials in question!

[Christophe]

11 hours ago, SirVantes said:

I'll be contrarian - no, to my palate champagne does not go with cigars.  On the one hand I find that a cigar overwhelms the charms of a champagne, be it the vibrancy of an NV, the delicacy and dancing freshness of a BdB, or even the depth of pinot noir-heavy expression. On the other hand, champagne has just about the highest acidity of any wine, and I find that it "strips" my palate to the extent that I find cigars harsh.  Your mileage may vary.   

I had the same idea years ago, when I paired a sparkling wine (probably a crémant de Bourgogne, not a champagne) with a pretty full-bodied NC. I don't remember what stick particularly, probably something like a AJ Fernandez New World Oscuro. It was one of the worst smokes/drinks I ever had, and it put me off from pairing cigars and anything sparkling for years. 

I started experimenting with it again this year, and it's worked out wonderfully. Something like an LGC with a better crémant... Amazing. It does require more forethought than grabbing a spirit, I think. 

[Ken Gargett]

10 hours ago, BrightonCorgi said:

I put no effort into pairing cigars and beverages. I think it's a bit of malarky. Go with what you like at the moment.

very much agree with this with an exception. pairing can stuff up the experience if you get it wrong. otherwise, if you go with what you like, chances are good that it will work. by which i mean that if you like blanc de blancs champagnes more than blanc de noirs theen every chance that smoking a cigar with a blanc de blancs will be more enjoyable than if you used a blanc de noirs. 

[Nevrknow]

At the masterclass, that Tattinger with the Cohiba was perfect. I think I'll stick with that pairing. Experimentation over.

[BrightonCorgi]

12 hours ago, Ken Gargett said:

very much agree with this with an exception. pairing can stuff up the experience if you get it wrong. otherwise, if you go with what you like, chances are good that it will work.

When someone is like "Lusitania is the best match for a Pierre Peter BdB" or the like I think it's a bunch of self-flattery.  

[Ken Gargett]

2 hours ago, BrightonCorgi said:

When someone is like "Lusitania is the best match for a Pierre Peter BdB" or the like I think it's a bunch of self-flattery.  

i think you are being far too kind. i think it is a load of utter crap. 

[Cestis4]

Far better than pairing with a still wine imo. 

[ha_banos]

...The way the cigar flavours effervesce, dissipating into the champagne and becoming a whole new unique expression that transcends the palate. Alchemising the enjoyment to new crescendos of pleasure.

[Duxnutz]

Champagne (or decent bubbly) and some aged ERDM, LGC or Cohiba makes for a good time. 

[DonMiguel]

Cohiba Esplendido 2008 enjoyed with a 2002 Pol Roger Winston Churchill would be an optimal moment for the author.

Each to his own!