Right at the end of Spice Alley in Chippendale is Handpicked Cellar Door. And what a fun place to hang out. I love visiting vineyards and tasting different wines, and this place brings the cellar door experience right to you, even recreating the feel of one of those big, airy, high-ceilinged tasting rooms in Margaret River or the Hunter Valley.
A wonderful selection of wine from Australia and beyond, at a range of prices: with very reasonable glasses starting at $8. You can order them in ‘flights’ and try four little glasses, and you can also match them with selections of cheese.
My pal did a flight of red wine; I opted for individual glasses of white (as there were a few on I wanted to try that weren’t in the flights. Like an Australian-made fiano!). We ordered a plate for three soft white cheese and they were stunning.
I like the service, a chatty Aussie fellow and a more reserved European; my pal wanted better explanations of how the place worked and to know more about the wine. A great place for a drink for dinner or… just settle in and have a liquid dinner. I could do that.
