Sans Soucy Vineyards and Winery is located on what used to be an old tobacco farm. Owners Paul and Jackie Anctil continue to use some of the old out buildings to age their wines and in a recent visit Paul spoke of maintaining tobacco plants on the farm until it was no longer economically feasible to do so. We soon found a common interest in the synergy between wine and cigars and, beyond that, between grapes and tobacco.Virginia is the home of both the American tobacco industry and American wine industry as Thomas Jefferson was its first vintner. Paul and Jackie keep the tobacco heritage alive at Sans Soucy in their maintenance of the historic buildings, and the tobacco heritage of their farm. It was from this passion that the idea of The Virginia Wine and Cigar Trail was formed with Sans Soucy as the cornerstone of what will become a tribute to the agricultural and aesthetic alignment of tobacco and grapes/wine and cigars. Their wines are a perfect starting point.2008 Petit VerdotThis is a luscious, jammy red with a beautiful dark rich color, slightly acidic with soft and balanced tannins. There are flavors of dark chocolate, black cherry, cassis, vanilla and just a hint of tobacco that may come from the terroir, the vines are planted over what used to be tobacco fields, or the aging rooms which used to be tobacco drying sheds. The cigar band label serves to enhance the relationship. Paired with The Panacea Black Label ClassicDominican with Dominican/Nicaraguan filler and Brazilian Maduro wrapper with a hint of nutmeg and cinnamon, molasses and a subtle nutty undertone.While the Black generally pairs with lighter bodied red wines the acidity and the hint of cedar in this wine enhance the dark coffee flavor of the Black creating a memorable match. The smaller ring gauge of the Classic adds the punch necessary to stand up to the body of the Petit Verdot.2010 LegacyThe Sans Soucy flagship wine is a blend of Chambourcin, Tempranillo and Cab Franc and was a 2010 Silver Medal winner at the World Wine Championships. This is a big, full bodied red wine that offers deep coffee flavors highlighted by ripe berry aromas. The Legacy “finishes with smoky herb, roasted tomato, and nut notes and interesting barn wood and pewter accents.” Unique!Paired with The Panacea Red Label ClassicDominican with Dominican and Nicaraguan filler, Habano Binder and Brazilian Maduro wrapper this is a bold flavored mid-strength cigar with a full, spicy, semi-sweet flavor, hints of molasses, nutmeg, cinnamon, caramel, and coffee.This beautiful and elegant wine deserves a big, bold and beautiful cigar and the Panacea Red, our richest and most popular cigar, is the perfect choice. This pairing could become your favorite!2008 Cabernet FrancBright and peppery with well balanced berry fruit and anise with a bit of vanilla on the finish. It smoothly oaked, having been aged in French oak barrels for 18 months 2008 Viognier ReserveThe bouquet is floral and fruity; with highlights of delicate wild roses. This wine is a great stand alone but it really shines when it accompanies classic seafood delicacies.2008 Traminette ReserveFloral with hints of spice and a creamy apricot finish. Great with bolder food pairings or a nice Apricot Stilton for dessert!The Three Paired with The Panacea Azul CameroonPanacea’s newest cigar has a beautiful Cameroon wrapper, a Cuban seed binder, the signature Piloto Olor ligero / Seco Cubano binder and a touch of Pennsylvania Broadleaf. It is truly a work of art, uniquely complex with flavors of melon, grapefruit and spice that is as easy to smoke as these wines are to drink, and this is where the fun of wine and cigar pairing really begins! The Cab Franc is light and flavorful. The fruit and the light acid are a terrific match for the flavors of the Azul. The Viognier has an interesting balance of acidity and sweetness. The Broadleaf adds just hint of acidity to the Azul which makes it a natural pairing while the sweetness on the tongue and lips brings out the sweetness of the wine. Alternatively, the acidity of the Traminette brings out the underlying creaminess of the cigar. The Traminette Reserve Paired with the Panacea White LabelDominican with Dominican and Nicaraguan filler, Dominican Habano binder and Corojo wrapper has flavors of coffee with cream, burnt marshmallow, molasses, burnt walnuts and a bit of spice. And, yes, the White pairs with this one too! This is an excellent example of how a cigar can enhance the underlying characteristics and flavors of wine. With the Azul the Traminette takes on a fruity and creamy flavor while with the White the saltiness and acid of the Traminette dominates. Try a bottle with both cigars for an intereting wine/cigar pairing experience.Where to find Panacea Cigars in the Mid-AtlanticAKA Tobacco Place in Fredericksburg, VA,Cigar Guys (2) in Alexandria, VACville Smoke Shop in Charlottesville, VA,Fabbioli Cellars in Leesburg, VAGreat Oaks Country Club in Floyd, VA Holly Grove Vineyards in Franktown, VAIsland Tobacco in Richmond, VALadysmith Tobacco in Ruther Glen, VALaker Beverage and Tobacco in Moneta, Va, Main Street Cigars in Bel Air and Havre de Grace, MD, Pop's Cigars and Coffee in Yorktown, VAPotomac Point Winery in Stafford, VASans Soucy Vineyards in Brookneal, VASaylor's Cigars and Gifts in Manassas, VAThe Republic of Floyd in Floyd Va,Titan Cigars in Gambrils, MDThe Tobacco Company in Roanoke, VA, and Bedford, VATrinity Glass and Tobacco in Waynesboro, VA,Unicorn Winery in Amissville, VAWinston's Humidor in Midlothian, VAThe Virginia Wine Trail - www.vawineandcigar.comCigarVolante LLC - www.cigarvolante.com
