[nutcracker]

Yesterday afternoon was interesting. I had a bottle of Pinet de Picpoul with lunch - a rather acidic, citrusy wine - similar to Gruner veltliner. Anyway - not much would match profiles for an afternoon cigar!. So I went for a contrast - Partagas Series D no 4. Mellow, moderate body - nut and fruit.

The wine and the cigar played "good cop - bad cop" - and it actually worked. Occasionally chefs will do this when feeling adventurous.(Doesn't always work.) It's a little like mixing warm and cool colours in a picture - can either be hideous, or make the subject pop.

The cigar tasted pretty darned good, with the wine cleansing my palate with each sip.