19 Spots to Indulge in Wine And Cheese Has there ever been a greater pairing than wine and cheese? Perfect for a happy hour with friends, a casual first date, or a treat-yo’-self dinner, the classic combination works because each component coaxes different flavors out of the other. Whether your palate is fully seasoned or you are just making it up as you go along, there are many options in Austin to indulge. If you’re just graduating from cheddar and boxed wine, House Wine offers classes in a relaxed setting. On the other hand, experts can build their knowledge at almost-secret The Red Room, which often hosts vineyards for tastings. Get-together groups would coo over the offerings at Josephine House or Walton’s Fancy & Staple, while those looking for a refined, yet casual place to indulge should head to Aviary or Juliet. Really, though, the infinite combination of possible flavors mean you really should try every entry on this list — after all, how could you go wrong with wine and cheese?

If meat’s more of your thing, take a stroll through Austin’s best charcuterie destinations. Everything below is listed in an unranked order. Is your favorite wine and cheese spot missing? Let Eater know through the tipline, within the comments, or over on the forum. 1 Aviary Shop & Lounge This laid-back neighborhood spot on South Lamar is nice enough to impress a date but relaxed enough to foster healthy competition with its library of board games. The wine descriptions deserve a Pulitzer and the rotating cheese selection is served with Easy Tiger baguette. The ultimate style icon, this Clarksville favorite has a wonderful patio for snacking al fresco. Cheeses are served with olives and house-made jam. 3 Cru Wine Bar Perfect for those trying to learn pairings or experts who like options, Cru features flights of wine and flights of cheese to explore, all fantastic. The cheese board is practically a meal in itself, with fruit, nuts, and honey to accompany the slices.

4 Apothecary Cafe & Wine Bar A Rosedale standby that is upscale but cozy, Apothecary has a constant evolving menu of excellent wines, domestic and imported cheeses, and seasonal bites. 5 The Red Room Lounge This is built for aficionados. While a bit of an unconventional setup, Red Room provides a vast, curated wine selection (including findings from owner Alex Andrawes’s wine brokerage) served in a cavernous lounge setting while neighbor Vince Young’s Steakhouse delivers the one of the best cheese boards in town. 6 Walton's Fancy and Staple A little-known happy hour gem, this pretty bakery offers wine and cheese, and delectable desserts, for some additional sweetness. This cozy cafe and grocery is an easy way to explore the richness of French food and wine. For something different, try the melty raclette. 8 Blue Dahlia Bistro Another great happy hour can be found at this friendly bistro, where the five-cheese board is $10 and select glasses of wine are $5 from 3 to 6:30 p.m.

This south Austin favorite boasts a reasonable wine list, cheese selections from Antonelli’s, and fantastic tapas if more sustenance is needed. Lawn games and a foosball table emphasize the lack of pretentiousness at this newcomer to the Domain Northside. The antipasti menu continues the theme, with options from truffled crescenza to pimento cheese.best type of white wine with fish The casual enoteca where the wine is European and the cheese is fancy. best wine label design 2015Try the baked brie.best italian wine cities Crusty house-made bread makes the cheese plate here especially enjoyable. beer and wine france

Choose from several Italian cheeses and sit on the stylish patio. MAX's Wine Dive Austin With special attention to bubbles, the vibe at Max’s is fun-yet-serious (about wine, anyway), making it perfect for business get-togethers. With blue velvet and an antique pewter bar, the vibe at Sophia’s is decidedly swanky. While the antipasto platter is tasty, try the delicate and creamy burrata.wine shops dc area Though this bar in the epicenter of downtown is known for cocktails that pack a punch, The Townsend also has quite a wine selection — and the “really big” cheese board is great for sharing.cheap red wine not dry Another cocktail bar with a great cheese board and bottle selection. where can i buy wine in canadaTake your order up to the rooftop patio to clink glasses under the stars.best red wine home kit

The Grove Wine Bar & Kitchen - Downtown Every location of The Grove offers its own adventure — people-watching amongst the Westlake elite, convenient downtown access, or marveling at lake views — but each offer the same expansive wine list, fun flights, and fantastic cheese plate. The fig and apricot chutney is a favorite with guests. Part-corner store, part-bar, Delicious is a fun stop on South Lamar that lives up to its name with, of course, wine and cheese.best books italian wine A hideaway by Zilker Park that prides itself on lack of pretentiousness, there are more cheese options here than your stomach could handle. Looking to up your knowledge? Wine tastings (which come with a cheese board) are held weekly. 20 Excellent Margaritas in Austin The Essential Austin Cocktail Bars Tacos in Austin: 17 To Try Now Kentucky Derby 2017: Where to Party in AustinWhen it comes to throwing a fabulous wine and cheese party, the right ingredients make all of the difference.

I host these gatherings weekly {especially now that it is easier to have people over due to the babies} so I have come up with a stellar list of essentials. Here are my four recommendations to throwing a successful evening: 1. Choose good quality {and fancy looking} crackers. I am a huge fan of Carr’s Crackers. They are light in flavor and texture which is exactly what is recommended to be paired back to a Pinot Grigio. {You don’t want a cheese or cracker that overpowers the wine.} Carr’s also has an assorted box, that I featured here, which I love because your guests can pick and choose their cracker depending on what they are craving. 2. Pick great wine. I am a lover of white wine especially in the summer time. My go-to is a mid-range priced bottle {about $25.00} and amazing quality, Santa Margherita Pinot Grigio. It is fresh, clean and crisp. Aside from pairing well with light pastas, seafood and chicken dishes, it’s incredible paired back to cheese. 3. As your cheese counter about unique cheeses.