The Art of Cheese and Wine Matching!
With the restrictions easing slightly, no doubt that our Cheese and Wine Nights will be starting back soon!
But in the meantime it’s fun exploring cheese and wine matches, especially if you stumble upon that match made in heaven where the cheese and wine compliment each other perfectly, revealing different flavours and taste-bud-tingling harmony with every new mouthful.
While it’s not an exact science, here’s some tips to get you on your merry cheese and wine matching way:
Like for Like
Flavour-wise, some cheeses and wines have a lot in common which can create a happy match. If you have a goat’s cheese with a fresh, light, acidic flavour like Holy Goat La Luna Ring it will work a charm with Moorilla Muse Sauvignon Blanc – which also has a crisp, slightly acidic finish.
Opposites Attract
On the other hand, some cheeses work best with their complete wine opposite, case in point: the strong, salty flavours of Roquefort paired with the cloyingly sweet, honey-like notes in a Muscat, such as Domiane de Coyuex
Or pair a decadent triple cream like Mini Delice with Black Truffle with Champagne or Blanc de Blanc– the lightness of the bubbles helps cut through the incredible richness of the cheese and highlight the underlying creaminess.
Regional Pairings
The old adage ‘what grows together, goes together’ is a simple rule of thumb that can be applied to cheese and wine pairing. Generally, cheeses and wines from the same region will partner well – some classic examples include this Castelmagno and Barbera from Piedmont in Italy.
Flavour Intensity
Above all else, this is probably the most important consideration. You don’t want your wine to overwhelm your cheese, and vice versa. Regardless of whether you are looking for complimentary flavours, or contrasting, always try to match the ‘level’ of the flavour in your cheese to that of your wine. The stronger the cheese, the fuller-bodied the wine should be, for example:
- Lighter bodied match: Berry’s Creek Brie and Chardonnay
- Medium bodied match: French Comté and Pinot Noir
- Full bodied match: Matured English Cheddar and Cabernet Sauvignon
Happy Matching!
Zoom Virtual Meetings
Having a zoom virtual meeting with clients or team members? Need a little cheese, wine and other goodies to enjoy together in this new way? We are here to help!
We are able to deliver to multiple areas and locations in Sydney and Melbourne Metro using a refrigerated courier. Please also see our FREE delivery locations that are available in Surry Hills and Surrounding Areas or Lower North Shore.
We work closely with you to ensure this process goes as smoothly as possible. All you have to do is choose your favourite cheeses, wines and other goodies and we will do the rest.
Let us know know your budget and we can create “zoom care packs” for your team members or clients.
We have some options below to consider please see the links:
Or contact us at ciao@ocello.com.au and let us know what you would like with your budget and we can assist as best we can.
Happy planning!!
Free Delivery to the North Side
The North Side has now been added to the free delivery service. We require a minimum spend of $125. We will be delivering to the area on Wednesday’s only. Please place your order by Tuesday 5pm for next day delivery.
Artarmon 2064
Balmoral 2571
Cammeray 2062
Castle Cove 2069
Castlecrag 2068
Chatswood 2067
Clifton Gardens 2088
Cremorne 2090
Cremorne Point 2090
Crows Nest 2065
Georges Height 2088
Gore Hill 2065
Hunters Hill 2110
Kirribilli 2061
Kurraba Point 2089
Lane Cove 2066
Lindfield 2070
Linley Point 2066
Longueville 2066
Middle Cove 2068
Mosman 2088
Naremburn 2065
Neutral Bay 2089
North Sydney 2060
Northbridge 2063
Northwood 2066
Riverview 2066
Roseville 2069
Roseville Chase 2069
St Leonards 2065
The Spit 2088
Waverton 2060
Willoughby 2068
Willoughby East 2068
Wollstonecraft 2065
Woolwich 2110
FREE Delivery for Locals. Surry Hills and Surrounding Areas! :)
Due to these unprecedented times we are happy to service our local area plus surrounds for free!!
Our deliveries service operates Monday to Friday.
We are now offering FREE delivery for orders $35 or more to Surry Hills and surrounding areas. Simply click Free Local Delivery at the checkout.
Please place your order by 11pm for next day delivery. Or specify a date in our order notes.
We are here to support our locals in this uncertain time. We know life with the cheese and other essentials will make it better. Order online in the comfort of your own home without the added cost of delivery.
Our gift of happiness to you!!
Check below to see if your postcode is included.
Postcodes include:
| Alexandria 2015 |
| Beaconsfield 2015 |
| Bellevue Hill 2023 |
| Bondi Junction 2022 |
| Cenntennial Park 2021 |
| City 2000 |
| Darling Harbour 2000 |
| Darling Point 2027 |
| Darlington 2008 |
| Double Bay 2028 |
| Edgecliff 2027 |
| Elizabeth Bay 2011 |
| Kensington 2033 |
| Kings Cross 2011 |
| Moore Park 2021 |
| Paddington 2021 |
| Point Piper 2027 |
| Potts Point 2011 |
| Pyrmont 2009 |
| Queens Park 2022 |
| Randwick 2031 |
| Redfern 2016 |
| Roseberry 2018 |
| Rushcutters Bay 2011 |
| Surry Hills 2010 |
| Ultimo 2007 |
| Waterloo 2017 |
| Zetland 2017 Woollahra 2025 |
| Bondi 2026 |
| Bondi Beach 2026 |
| Bronte 2024 |
| Clovelly 2031 |
| Coogee 2034 |
| Daceyville 2032 |
| Dover Heights 2030 |
| Kingsford 2032 |
| North Bondi 2026 |
| Rose Bay 2029 |
| Rose Bay North 2030 |
| South Coogee 2034 |
| Tamarama 2026 |
| Vaucluse 2030 |
| Watsons Bay 2030 |
| Waverley 2024 |
| Annandale 2038 |
| Camperdown 2050 |
| Darlington 2008 |
| Enmore 2042 |
| Eveleigh 2015 |
| Glebe 2037 |
| Newtown 2042 |
| Stanmore 2048 |
OPEN!! Free delivery for orders over $250 Australia Wide
We are still OPEN and ready to serve you the best cheese and other essentials we have on offer! We also have NEW trading hours, opening Monday and extending our closing time.
NEW TRADING HOURS
Tuesday to Friday 10:30am to 6:30pm
Saturday 9am to 6pm
Closed: Sunday & Monday
We have all the essential services you need to get through this time.
1. Online delivery service – free delivery for orders over $250 Australia Wide.
Select from over 180 cheeses online, includes cured meats, olives, crisp breads, jams, honeys, panforte, chocolate the list goes on……
For Regional NSW and Interstate deliveries:
Orders are dispatched Monday’s only.
Please place order on Monday 9am to receive delivery same week.
2. Free in store pick up.
Let us know in the notes of the checkout the date of collection, select FREE in-store pick up and we will have your order ready.
3. Kerb side pick up – now available!
We do have a public car park downstairs, follow the driveway right near the the shop. The cost is $4.00 per hour ticket parking. Still can’t find a car spot in Surry Hills?
Don’t worry just call us on 9357 7878 and we will bring your order out to your car in the drive way.
4. Email
Want some specific items prepared that are not available online? Just email us your order and we will get in contact with your via phone or email. We can process your credit card over the phone.
5. Call us
It might be old school for some, we are happy to hear from you, ask us any questions you have.
SHOP NOW!
Catering By Ocello
Our grazing boxes are perfect to take to an office meeting, afternoon at the park, friends gathering and many more occasions to enjoy good food. All our boxes are designed to cater up to ten people.
Antipasto Box – Order Now
Includes,
– One Italian Buffalo Mozzarella
– Black & Sicilian Olives
– Sliced Spicy Caccatorie Salami & Sliced Saucisson
– A selection of two hard cheeses
– Mini Lingue
All packed in a convenient catering box.
Grazing Box – Order Now
Includes,
– A selection of freshly sliced curred meats: Ham, Nujia, Proscuitto, Bresola, Mortadella
– A selection of our finest cheeses: Truffle Brie, Camembert, Horbacher (Swiss cheese)
– A selection of premium accompaniments: Mini Rubata, Mini Lingue , Fresh Fruits, Panforte, Figs and Olives
All packed in a convenient catering box.
Ocello – Channel 7 Showcasing the Best Slow Food Italian Cheeses
We love cheese at Ocello, and especially Italian Slow Food Cheeses that we select and import ourselves. We were thrilled to be able to join the Italian Food Festival on Sunday 26th August 2018 and more to showcase on Channel 7 some of our unique artisan Cheeses. Check out the video of Carmelo Ocello talking about Pecorino.
The Oxford Companion to Cheese
We are thrilled and honoured to be included in this prestigious international reference book about cheese. Written by 325 authors from 35 countries, this encyclopedia is a must have for all cheese enthusiasts. 
Ocello listed as one of the world’s most amazing cheese shops in the UK Telegraph
We are chuffed to have been listed as one of the world’s most amazing cheese shops over on the UK Telegraph website. You can read the story here.
