Wine | Cigar Zin: Put Your Nose in a “Stovepipe”

My daughter-in-law loves smoky wine.  And the best way to know that she likes it, is if she looks up from the glass and says “yeah stovepipe, now that’s what I’m talkin’ about”.

If you’re in her court and like some tobacco and smoke wafting up from your Zinfandel, Consentino has one that may be of interest.  They have always featured wines with a bit of cedar and tobacco, but their 2105 Cigar Zin is one of the most prominent in the “stovepipe” department.

It introduces itself with a bouquet of smoky cedar, black pepper, spicy cherry, and wonderful arabica dark coffee.  The first sip continues with a variety of spices, tobacco, mouthwatering acidity, with a nutmeg spice moving right on through to the finish.  This is a vino that really matches its label!

Pass around a platter of Sloppy Joes and let a big glass of Cigar Zin add to the fun.  For some reason, this Zin also works well with plenty of mustard on burgers and even a generous rack of smoked BBQ ribs.  If you plan on starting things off with light appetizers, pick a white wine first because this Zin would be too much at first.

Priced at around $15-$18, and readily available at Total Wine plus most supermarkets, this stovepipe fan’s favorite is easily found.  If you are interested in comparing to another of Consentino’s smoky ones, try “The Franc”, it does the job well too.

Be sure to serve at about 50 degrees because, that way, the spices develop quite well after it is poured.  If you want to have some fun with other red wine partners, compare with a good Napa Merlot (2013 was big).  The experiment in complimentary favors adds to the fun.