MOAV WINES & CIGARS By MOAVTommy

Have you ever spent more than three minutes with a group of divers? Then you know that, as a group, they tend to smoke like
chimneys and drink like fish. (Um, if this is news to you, you're probably at the wrong web site... you can escape to something a little more tame by clicking here now).

Anyway, if you're still with us, and if you've spent more than three minutes around MOAV, you know that (never mind the "as a
group" bit), they smoke like chimneys and drink like fish.

Our goal here is not to pass any moral judgment on this activity <giggle>, but to help those of like and keen interest to smoke
the best and drink the best.

After all, the livers and lungs we challenge are our own... treat them well.

There are great wines and there are good wines (life's too short to consider the bad wines). All our favorites do well with food
or just "al fresco" - just for sipping while sitting on the beach, perhaps with a fine cigar.

Oh, and take along some glasses... something with the proper (or close to it) shape for the wine(s) you're drinking. You don't
have to take your Riedel Vinum or Sommelier crystal (though we've been known to do it!), but we do recommend the Riedel
Ouverture series. These are manufactured (not handmade) glasses, optimized for the wines, but no expensive enough to truly
worry about if you lose one.

Cheaper yet, pop down to Target or K-Mart and buy something that resembles a proper Cabernet or Chardonnay glass. You
can get some for $2 to $4. And happily, actual plastic champagne flutes are fairly common, so it's easy to find those just about
anywhere! Just be aware that plastic won't hold a chilled wine's temperature as long as glass or crystal will.

We've separated our wine recommendations into three categories:

The Everyday Stuff - any wine drinker, casual or serious, can afford these. Pack 'em in your carry-on, your dive bags, roll
'em in your wetsuit and ship 'em on the plane. They'll beat wines you'll find at most of the usual dive destinations around the
world. And if you lose one in transit due to breakage, you won't fret much. Just remember to wrap everything in plastic bags to
contain any spilled grape juice. And never pack your topside clothes with the wine! All of these are "on the shelf" as of this
update.

Mid-Range Stuff - Better wines for sipping during those awesome sunsets or for carting into local restaurants that allow it.
We've found just about everyone will allow you to bring in your own bottle with little or no corkage fee. Offer the owner or
wine steward a glass! Pack these carefully - if you lose one, there'll be a couple of tears, but it won't ruin your trip. We
recommend saving a sturdy, thick cardboard wine case from a store purchase. Pack your wines in that, stuff padding into the air
spaces, duct tape it well, wrap that in a couple of plastic garbage bags, and slide the whole case into some luggage. Trust us - it
ships fine on the plane. Most of these are still "on the shelf".

Killer Wines - Pack them if you dare. You'll love having them with you on the trip, but be willing to risk them. These are the
best. Except for the non-vintage Krug, these are unlikely to be on the shelf today, but are worth raiding your collection for!
 
 

MOAV-Recommended Wines (updated May 2000)

The Everyday Stuff - pack it, ship it, gulp it

     Barnard Griffen Cabernet, 1996
     Beringer Founders' Estate Merlot, 1997
     Beringer North Coast Zinfandel, 1996
     Foppiano Petite Sirah, 1998
     Freestone Cabernet Sauvignon, 1997 (1996 if you can find it)
     Indigo Hills Chardonnay, 1997
     Ironstone Cabernet Franc, 1997
     Ironstone Shiraz, 1997
     Geyser Peak Sauvignon Blanc, 1999 - complex!
     Messina Hof Gewurztraminer, 1997
     Montes Alpha Cabernet, 1997
     Pine Ridge Chenin Blanc-Viognier, 1998
     Paul Cheneau Brut Cava (sparkling wine) - amazing value!
     Rancho Zabaco "Heritage Vines" Zinfandel, 1997
     Rotari Brut NV
     Ruggieri Prosecco (Sparkling) NV

The Mid-Range Stuff - pack it carefully, ship it, sip it

     Acacia Pinot Noir, 1997
     Alban Vineyards Viognier, 1997
     Bernardus Marinu, 1995
     Caymus Conundrum, 1997
     Chateau Montelena Calistoga Cuvee, 1997
     Chateau Montelena St. Vincent, 1996
     Chateau Montelena Chardonnay, 1997
     Estancia Meritage, 1996
     Graham Tawny Port, 20-Year
     Iron Horse Pinot Noir, 1997
     J. Lohr Cabernet, Hilltop Vineyard, 1996
     Marqués de Cáceres Rioja, Gran Reserva, 1989
     Moet and Chandon White Star Champagne
     Phelps Cabernet, 1997
     Rabbit Ridge Winemakers Grand Reserve Zinfandel, 1997
     Ravenswood ICON, 1997
     Ridge Geyserville (Zinfandel blend), 1997
     Quivera Zinfandel, 1997
     Steele, Steele Cuveé Chardonnay, 1997
     Sandeman Tawny Port, 20-Year
     Seghesio Old Vines Zinfandel, 1997
 

Killer Wine - pack it if you dare

     Altamura Cabernet, 1995
     Beringer Private Reserve Cabernet, 1987, 1992, 1994, 1995
     Chateau Montelena Estate Cabernet, 1978, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1994, 1995
     Far Niente Dolce, 1995
     Krug Champagne, Non-Vintage
     Quintessa, 1995
     Opus One, 1994, 1995
     Phelps Insignia, 1994
     Robert Mondavi Reserve Cabernet, 1996
     Silver Oak Cabernet, Alexander Valley, 1991 and 1994
     Stag's Leap Wine Cellars Cabernet, FAY Vineyard, 1994, 1995
     (the 1996 is good too, but at a 30% markup over 1995, we can't recommend it)

MOAV-Recommended Cigars (updated May 2000)

Our Favorites

     Padron 1964 Aniversario, Maduro or Natural
     These come in several sizes, but our favorites are the Monarca (6.5" x 46), the Torpedo, and the Principe (4.5" x 44).
     These are the best-made cigars we've ever found. They have an amazingly smooth rich flavor with a long, long finish. We
     find the Maduros are perfect with a good port wine! These are not easy to find in stock, but are sold across the US.
     You'll probably need to ask for them.
     Arturo Fuente "Don Carlos"
     This is Fuente's second line (just after the somewhat-overrated and hard-to-find Opus X (see below), but it's a first-rate
     cigar. Our favorite sizes are the #2 (6" x 44/55 - a Torpedo), the Double Robusto (5-3/4" x 52), and the #3 (5-1/2" x
     44).
     Opus X
     Yes, yes.. we know... hyped beyond belief. And simply not available at retail west of the Mississippi, unless as
     grey-market goods (and seriously marked up!). While we don't feel these are worth the outrageous prices some outlets
     are getting ($30 - $100!!!), trust us when we say that they are indeed very, very fine cigars and well worth the standard
     retail prices. Made by Fuente, our favorites are the Perfecxion #2 (6-1/4 x 52 - a Torpedo), the Perfecxion X (6-1/4 x
     48 - cedar wrapped with a red band), the Petit Lancero (6.25 x 39), and the Double Corona (7-5/8 x 49).
     Butera Cedro Fino (6-1/2 x 44) - Smooth with a nice finish.

Good Everyday Cigars

     La Flor Dominicana, Maduro #1, medium-rich and smooth
     Partagas Maduro - full bodied
     Macanudo Maduro - several sizes, much more flavorful than Macanudo's other lines
     Bahia Gold - medium in body and flavor, uniformly smooth
     Dunhill - light and easy to smoke early in the day or with light drink
     Arturo Fuente Flor Fina, Maduro or Natural
     Punch After Dinner - two styles of Maduro and a Natural, all good, with variations in flavor

When Traveling Out of the USA (Cubans)

     Hoyo de Monterrey Double Corona
     Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure #2
     H. Upmann Monarch
     Montecristo #2 - Intense! Simply the best torpedo on the planet. Best after a spicy meal.
     Partagas Corona
     Ramon Allones Gigantes Double Corona
     Vegas Robainas Don Alejandro Double Corona
 
 

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