NEXT time you feel like a short drive with something delicious at the other end, head for Cassegrain Wines just out of Port Macquarie and check out the new cheese shop and Cassegrain’s new cocktails.
The Caseus Cheese Shop is now operating in conjunction with the cellar door wine tastings, making a visit to Cassegrain an even more enjoyable experience – if that is possible.
As most wine lovers will attest, there’s something about the combination of cheese and wine that makes an already fantastic wine even better again.
The Caseus shop opened only a week and a half ago, but already hundreds of people have seized the opportunity to combine their wine tasting with some mouth-watering gourmet cheeses.
Tom Ippolito and partner Aurore Ghigo had years of selling cheese at markets before they opened the shop and know which cheeses are most in demand.
“The response has been really good,” Tom said.
“We are stocking about 100 cheeses. Mini cheese plates will be free until 18 May and then cost $8-$10, for which you get three different cheeses.
“The early leader popularity-wise would have to be the local cheeses from the Manning Valley, Comboyne and Hastings.”
The cheese shop will be open every day the cellar door is open for wine tastings. You can devise your own pairings of wine and cheese, but Tom and Aurore and the wine-tasting staff can also help with some expert advice. Not surprisingly, all have been busy doing some in-depth taste-tasting to ensure their expertise.
Another new feature at Cassegrain that has received a big thumbs up is their new pre-mixed sparking cocktails, which include black-currant liquor, peach and lychee.
Nor do you have to be afraid that a bottle of wine or port will cost you an arm and a leg, as wines start at a very affordable $14.95 and often there are cellar door specials, such as buy 10 bottles, get 12.
In addition to their popular new cocktails, Cassegrain has an extensive range of white, red and dessert wines, plus a delicious tawny port.
You’ll find Cassegrain Wines at 764 Fernbank Creek Road. Checkout their website for specials and sign-up for their newsletter – www.cassegrainwines.com.au. You can also phone them on 6582 8378.****SIDEBAR ***
Special month for wine lovers
Aussie Wine Month is a month-long celebration of Australian wine, which is being staged during May this year.
