The Cheese and Wine Room at GPO
Good wine + good cheese + a charcuterie board + good company = the perfect night.
What about adding to that recipe a moody, hidden, cozy setting? Perfect just got more perfect (not that there are degrees of perfection - something's either perfect or not. You can't be a little bit perfect, just like you can't be a little bit pregnant).
Hidden underneath the lobby of the Westin at No 1 Martin Place and only reachable by meandering through throngs of diners at the bar, is the GPO cheese and wine room. Upon entering this hole-in-the-wall establishment, you are immediately hit with the sharp, comforting smell of a good cheddar which envelops the entire room. We're off to a good start.
Cheese and Wine Flights
The Cheese and Wine room offer a range of 'cheese and wine flights', which pairs three wines with three cheese from different regions. You can go on an Adventure flight around the world, an Australian and New Zealand flight to stay close to home, a European flight for some old romance, A Sparkling and Champagne flight for a celebratory touch, or a Whisky flight to go back in time.
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| The Adventure Flight, $37 |
The Adventure Flight pairs a Blanquette brut with a Triple Cream from the Champagne region. The Blanquette is a sparkling wine that pre-dates the Champagne, and just like the Champagne, the bubble are naturally formed (rather than fizzed later as with Prosecco). The Brut is the driest of all Blanquettes, and perfectly balances the creamy, dreamy Triple Cream.
Up next, an Italian pairing of Sangiovese and Truffled Pecorino. The name Sagiovese derives from 'the blood of Jupiter', and Jupiter being the king of Gods, the Sagiovese is suitably bold, oaky and earthy. The pecorino crumbles delightfully and has a strong truffle flavour.
Finally, we fly back home: a New Zealand pinot noir is paired with a Tasmanian blue brie.
Cheese Fondue
Like the 'wine and cheese flights', there is no just one cheese fondue - the Cheese and Wine Room offers options. There's a 'tangy & smooth' goat's cheese fondue which pairs the Swisse Emmental with an Australian Farmhouse Chevre; a 'silky & buttery' Truffle Cheese Fondue which pairs a Brie Coulommier aux Truffles with a Secret de Scey; and finally a 'fragrant & creamy' blue cheese fondue which pairs a Gorgonzoly Dolce with a Secret de Scey.
All chesse fondues serve two persons and come with an assortment of cured meats, prawns, roasted potatoes, figs, bread and Lavosh. There is also a vegetarian option where the cheese fondue is served with grilled vegetables instead.
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| Truffle Cheese Fondue, $52 |
Antipasto Board
Can't make up your mind? Go for an antipasto board which brings you a little bit of every good thing. A selection of cured meats, bread, olives and grilled vegetable is served with a Locheilan Triple Cream from Victoria and a Reypenaer Gouda from The Netherlands, and I definitely recommend adding a honey to your antipasto board to add a bit of sweetness to the otherwise salty affair.
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| Mixed Antipasto with two cheeses, $33; served with spicy honey, $2.50 extra |
Score: 5/5
The selection of cheese and wine at the aptly named Cheese and Wine Room is truly impressive. The atmosphere is wonderful, the platters are thoughtfully curated, and the prices are reasonable. I highly, highly recommend - and it seems like everyone else agrees, because the Cheese and Wine Room have received endless accolade for doing what they do best.
Price: reasonable
Address: 8 LGF, Lower Ground Floor, Sydney GPO Building, No, 1 Martin Place, Sydney
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