Italian Wines to Marry Habanos

The alliance between wines from Italian Tuscany region and Cuban Premium cigars will be highlighted during the 17th Habano Festival to be held here at the end of this month, said organizers. A report from the organizing committee said the Chianti wines will discover surprising aromas and unique flavours in a unique marriage, alluding to a part of the Festival named Alliance that always mates classic beverages of the world with this island´s cigars.

It is a meeting in which experts and aficionados to the Cuban habano gather together to examine the best combinations of these products and even propose adequate variables for a high-flying menu.

The Festival, scheduled from February 23-27 at the Havana Convention Center

and other venues attracts great attention among cigar smokers, for the quality of Cuban Premium cigars (rolled by hand) considered the best in the World.

The alliance between habanos and Chianti wines (D.O.C.G) -meaning Origin Denomination Controlled and Guaranteed- is a novelty, because the experts say it involves a marriage that will mix the richness of shades of the habano with the unmistakable taste of the Tuscany vineyards.

However, the Festival is always full of surprises, reason why over one thousand visitors from about 80 countries attend the event not only to smoke and drink the best, but also to enjoy its cultural activities.

For the occasion, organizers said Cuban star singer Descemer Bueno, awarded in the most recent Grammy Latino Awards and most popular in Europe, Bailando (Dancing) in a video clip with Spanish crooner Enrique Iglesias and Liszt Alfonso Dance Company.

Good music and excellent wines will focus on habanos , as the star of the show. Informers insist that four Tuscany cavas will lead the mentioned wedding.

On the list are included the wines Chianti Superiore (DOCG), Cerretello (2011) and Chianti Rufina (DOCG), Riserva Lastricato (2010), from the wineries Preve De Pitti and Castello dei Trebbio, which will combine respectively with the Montecristo Open Tagle, a very colourful cigar.

The second proposal includes Chianti Colli Fiorentini (DOCG), Il Castelvecchio (2011), from the winery of the same name and Chianti (DOCG) Riserva Vigna 54 (2012), belonging to the Azienda Agricola Pugliano, accompanied by Le Hoyo San Juan, vitola of mild flavour with presentations in 2014.

Added to this Festival glow is the protagonism of gastronomy, on this occasion hand in hand of Belgian chef Anne Marie Lauwers, who will direct the menu of the Dinner to Commemorate the 25 Years of Franchise of the House of Habano and the closing of the Festival.

What is most interesting of these dinners is a menu which highlights the fusion of tastes of Asia, Europe and Cuba, undoubtedly a surprise for those attending.

However, the axle of the meeting will be the presentation and tasting of habanos Gran Reserva Wide Churchills Harvest 2009 and Aged Pyramids, vitolas 80th anniversary and Aged Churchills of Montecristo.