Buying Wine And Cheese
Some things are just better together. Nowhere do we know the joys of this alchemy more than in the world of food. From the humble bread and butter to strawberries and cream, it sometime takes one extra ingredient to make the most of the other.
It’s a similar story with wine and cheese. There have been plenty of occasions when we’ve enjoyed the company of one or the other on its own (and a few occasions we can barely remember). Put them together, however, and the enjoyment of both is multiplied. A fine wine with a sophisticated cheese is a wonderful thing, so we thought we’d suggest a few places where you can double the enjoyment, and occasionally, the trouble.
Cheese at Leadenhall Market , The City
Sue Cloke from Cheese at Leadenhall Market was our guest on the Food and Drink show. The pioneering store is the first to combine a cheese shop with a wine bar! Sue used to run the Harvey Nichols' cheese department, so she really knows her stuff.
La Fromagerie, Highbury Park
This is a real jewel in north London’s crown. A staggering collection of cheeses festoon this relatively small space with a particularly good English slection. Tried the Berkswell Blue? You should do, it’s utterly incredible. Among its army of supporters is Annemarie from Walthamstow. “The hermetically sealed cheese room tips you off to the fact you're in for something special”
Highbury Vintners, Highbury
A short walk from La Fromagerie is Highbury Vintners. Here, a wonderful selection of over 1000 hand-picked wines from mostly smaller producers sit on shelves that are tended by friendly and knowledgeable staff. Don’t know much about wine? Worry no longer. Jessica from Finsbury Park doesn’t, “They are the Jedi wine masters of my World”. Quite a compliment, I’m sure you’ll agree…
Neal’s Yard Dairy, Covent Garden
This legendary cheese shop lies in the heart of the city and is a must-do for all fromage fanatics. A cousin of the equally impressive stall in Borough Market, the Covent Garden branch stocks almost everything. Perhaps most famous for championing British cheeses, Neal’s Yard Dairy will have anything you want and a much, much more. “It’s where I had my first cheese love”, says Jana from Clapton.
Handford Wines, Old Brompton Road
Produce from Portugal, Italy and South Africa are Handford’s real strong points, but it’s still a great place to browse and bulk-buy the plonk. Isabella from Chelsea is a fan: “If you are a connoisseur, or want to buy a great wine based gift, this is a good place to start”.
Paxton and Whitfield, Jermyn Street
With 200 years of experience and around 150 varieties of artisan cheeses on sale, it’s little wonder Paxton And Whitfield command an extremely loyal troupe of followers. With hams, crackers and chutneys also in-store, there’s very little else you need to round off a good night… apart from the wine of course.
“This is the best and most authentic cheese shop in London”, says Alex from Parsons Green.
Gordons Wine Bar, Embankment
And what about a place in town where you can enjoy both? One immediately springs to mind, and that’s Gordon’s Wine Bar on Villiers Street. They say it’s the oldest wine bar in the capital, and it certainly looks like it, but this place is a real gem. Clutch a fine wine in one hand, a plate of cheese in the other, and stoop your way around this dark and charming place. Anonymity is guaranteed, as is a truly unique experience.