Where to go for wine and cheese
Vin et fromage. Vino y queso. Vino e formaggio. No matter what language you’re speaking, everyone knows that cheese and wine is the ultimate combo. These Melbourne haunts have everyone’s favourite double act on their playbill, so buy the ticket, take the
1 Underwood Wine Bar
Championing local heroes, Underwood Wine Bar’s offering is all-australian. Look to the chalkboard to see what’s on rotation (pssst…. Lady & the Hawk mourvèdre rosé is a winner). Our money is also on the cheese toasties here, with the triple cheese, creamed corn, Dijon mustard and thyme combo being a standout. On Tuesdays and Wednesdays you can get a toastie and a glass of wine for $15. Ò181 St Georges Rd, Fitzroy North 3068. 03 9489 5764. www.underwoodwinebar.com.au. Tue-fri 5pm-late; Sat, Sun 3pm-late.
2 Melbourne Supper Club
Melbourne’s favourite late-night haunt delivers wine and cheese options for every occasion. The croque monsieur is a real hangover slayer and the cheese selection comes straight from Spring Street Grocer’s underground maturation caves next door. Pair your cheese with a domestic drop like Brokenwood pinot noir, and you’ll do the local economy proud. Ò 1/161 Spring St, Melbourne 3000. 03 9654 6300. www. melbournesupperclub.com.au. Sun-thu 5pm-4am; Fri, Sat 5pm-6am.
3 Milk the Cow, St Kilda
Cheese and wine flights are a popular pick here, with a pairing of 90ml wine with 30g cheese going for $33. Patrons can also pretend it’s 1967 by ordering fondue pots filled with bubbling Gruyère. Try baked Yarra Valley Yering Brie covered in French cider, truffle honey and figs. Sample Higgs & Co gelato infused with cheese.they even garnish their cocktails with cheese. Ò 1/157 Fitzroy St, St Kilda 3182. 03 9537 2225. www.milkthecow. com.au. Mon-thu noon-late; Fri, Sat noon1am; Sun noon-11pm.
4 1806
Featuring 1,000-day-old Dutch gouda, English caveaged cheddar and French BrillatSavarin, the cheeseboards at 1806 are every bit as impressive as their next-level cocktail list. Baked garlic and rosemary camembert and chargrilled halloumi also feature on the bar menu while whisky and cheese flights match the handiwork of master distillers to cheeses from around the world. Chesterfield sofas and red velvet drapes set the scene for a cheeseand-booze blow-out. Ò169 Exhibition St, Melbourne 3000. 03 9663 7722. www.1806.com.au. Mon-thu 5pm-1am; Fri 4pm-1am; Sat 5pm-2am; Sun 6pm-1am.
5 Bellota Wine Bar
Australian, French and Italian cheeses can be ordered individually or as a part of a cheeseboard. Chèvre fans will love the Sevre and Belle Caprifeuille. While the wine list features greats of France, Portugal, Italy, Greece and South Africa, you can also head through to the Prince Wine Store next door – any wine here can be consumed at Bellota. Ò181 Bank St, South Melbourne 3205. 03 9078 8381. www.bellota.com.au. Tue-sat 11am-11pm.
6 DOC Pizza and Mozzarella Bar
Patrons can revel in a mozzarella degustation that features Australian fior di latte, Italian buffalo mozzarella and Australian scamorza (smoked fior di latte). Grab a bargain bottle of house sangiovese merlot and watch the mellow mozzarella flavours come to life. Ò295 Drummond St, Carlton 3053. 03 9347 2998. www.doc group.net. Mon, Tue 5-10.30pm; Wed-sun noon-10.30pm.
7 Bohemian Bar and Restaurant
South Wharf’s Bohemian Bar and Restaurant has a trifecta of Spanish cheeses to choose from including a La Mancha manchego aged for 16 months. Chase it down with a jug of traditional sangria and you’ve got a party. Go on a Sunday afternoon and you’ll even get some live jazz thrown in the mix. Olé! Ò35 Dukes Wharf, South Wharf 3006. 03 9682 0566. www.thebohemian.com.au. Daily noon-10pm.
8 San Telmo
Melbourne’s top Argentinian bar and restaurant has serious cheese and wine cred. Things get hot and heavy with a fried provolone dish. A cheese platter (one for $12, two for $18 or 3 for $22) includes muscatels and quince paste. The all-argentine wine list includes malbec from Mendoza and cool-climate pinot noir from Patagonia. Ò14 Meyers Pl, Melbourne 3000. 03 9650 5525. www. santelmo.com.au. Daily noon-late.
9 Station Hotel
Look beyond the premium steaks and you’ll find a well-rounded cheese offering perfect for dessert, or as a predinner snack. For $12, diners can choose from washed rind, goat, blue, cheddar or Brie, served with walnut bread, muscatels and apple. Ò59 Napier St, Footscray 3011. 03 9810 0085. www.thestationhotel.com.au. Daily 11am-late.