Christmas got in the way of a few things. A visit to the Berkelouw Wine Bar was one of them. It’s a wine bar with a twist though. Every season they source wines from a different area throughout Australia to promote them and to bring them to the attention of wine loving Sydney siders. This Summer it’s wines from Orange and in Autumn they will feature wines from the Murray region and in Winter, the Hilltops region.
The room is a good sized rectangular space lined with bookshelves. At one end is the bar area and dotted throughout are various types of comfortable chairs. We like the look of the elegant Louis XIVth style chaises and Christie and I park ourselves there. There are tasting plates as well as wines to try as a good range of wines. The tables have custom built thermals sleeves to help keep bottles of wine at an optimum temperature.
Small Acres Norfolk Still Cyder
We take their recommendation for wines and they show us the Small Acres Still Cyder which I recall driving past on our trip to Orange. Now I haven’t had much cider in my life but Christie is a fan so I take a sip. It’s delicious and ideal for those that don’t really like a strong bitter tasting alcoholic drinks. I down the whole glass in no time (and I rarely finish glasses of wine).
2008. Gewürztraminer: ‘Wine Maker’s Daughter’ $11.00 by the glass in front of one of the table’s thermal metal sleeves
Our next wine is the Gewürztraminer from Borrodel Winery. I’ll admit now I’m not one to be able to smell obscure things in wine and I’m really bad at that whole “I can smell tobacco and a left handed man in this wine” but I can say that I really enjoyed it and it is said to have a baked apple aroma which I could see as I found it quite similar to the cyder which is apple flavoured.
Two cheese platter $16.00
Our rectangular tasting plates arrive to accompany the wine. We’ve chosen a soft and a hard cheese starting with the cow’s milk Tasmania Heritage brie and the award winning Maffra cheddar. The brie is wonderfully runny and the handmade cheddar is rich and almost sweet. We’re not wildly in love with the olives which look nice and large but he olive oil is nice and grassy and I’m happy to see includes Sonoma’s olive bread (although I much prefer this bread warmed). We both agree that we would have loved to have seen something sweet like quince paste which goes so well with both these cheeses or some muscatels or figs.
Piano Plate $28.00
The romantically named Piano Plate comes with two arancini balls resembling more pyramids than oranges (”arancia” is Italian for orange as the fried rice balls resemble oranges). One is filled with seasoned rice with carrots and peas ricotta and mozarella which pulls apart appealingly.
Cheese strands!
The other arancini is filled with a bolognese type filling with feta and roasted peppers. They’re good, particularly the ricotta and mozarella one. The hummous is nice and garlicy but I don’t really go for the vinegary mushrooms as I’m not a champignon fan.
Authors Dish $18
Our favourite tasting plate featured baked ricotta served with hazlenuts with truffle honey. The thickly fruited bread is cut into small pieces and is wonderfully moist and goes with the baked ricotta very well. I lament my lack of stomach space as I could have happily feasted on this plate.
Homemade Tiramisu, pannacotta ($10 each) and Blueberry tart $4
We make some room for dessert (of course!). There’s a selection of homemade tiramisu which is nice but could use a dash more alcohol and coffee. The Pannacotta comes with a topping of whipped cream and is served in the glass. The flavour is good but it is a bit too firm. The Blueberry tart centre is good but the outside tart shell reminds me of old fashioned custard tarts whereas I was hoping for a buttery shell.
The whole point is to sit and eat and drink and it turns 6 o’clock before we notice that we’ve been here for two and a half hours. Catching up on girly gossip is important work and best done with a glass of cyder or wine.
So tell me Dear Reader, what’s your favourite tipple?
NQN and Christie dined as guests of Berkelouw Wine Bar.
Berkelouw Wine Bar
Level 1, 70 Norton Street, Leichhardt, NSW
Tel: +61 (02) 9560 3200
Opening Hours: Thursday to Sunday 1pm-10pm
www.berkelouwwinebar.com.au
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43 Comments | Add your own
That shot of the cheese strands is brilliant! Also, I’d love to try the ricotta with truffled honey – I’ve never had anything like that. Favourite tipple? I’m not a big drinker at all, but I like the odd glass of chardonnay or Rose!
Did you buy any second hand cookbooks while you were there? It’s an amazing place to find all sorts of literary treasures..
I remember visiting this bookshop more than seven years ago! So it’s obviously a stayer, but I didn’t realise it was a wine bar, unless that’s new.
There’s another Berkelouw in Oxford Street in Paddington too, which is similarly chic.
Love the arancini balls! Yum!
We have two Berkelouws close by, the original in Berrima & one in Bowral, where there’s an instore coffee shop amongst the books run by the wonderful Lucinda. If you’re ever down here in the Southern Highlands (only 90 mins south of Sydney) it’s well worth a visit too!
I’m a bit of an embarrassment to my family. My parents are vignerons, my cousin is training to be a somelier and I have such unsophisticated taste in wine. I like it sweet – light like moscato or heavy like botrytis. In truth, I can take or leave the wine, I’d really rather just eat.
Oh my god!
I had no clue that there was a book store that served wine etc there. I am definantly going there this weekend whether my partner likes it or not.
Wine + Good Book = Good Times!
Those olives look so plump!
I like all sorts of wine, but shudder at anything too sweet (unless it’s a true ice wine or dessert wine)
How I love places like this, surrounded by all the good things in life, books, food and drinks! I’m not much of a drinker but a complex red every now and again is rather rewarding, the rest of the time it’s a strong Vietnamese coffee for me!
What a lovely, lovely spot! I would definitely have to linger here.
I’m not an alcohol-drinker. I stay away from them, because I really can’t understand why people enjoy that buzz! Haha.
But I would LOVE that cheese stacks! And the ambiance seems really relaxing and lovely, yet chic.
Have always wondering what this place was like- thanks for the wonderfule review. The baked ricotta looks heavenly
haha I loved the “I can smell tobacco and a left handed man in this wine” I so cant do that either! I am a huge fan of frangelico…. so easy to drink!
What a lovely bar. I remember being allowed out to places like that! I keep being first to comment on your posts I notice… I must always be glued to Greader when you post!
Oh, I just ADORE wines from Orange. And all those snacks look like they would be such a treat with a glass of wine. Lovely.
I was there a few weeks ago and decided that I love that place. I want to live there. The books! Oh, so pretty. But I actually like the Berkeleow in Newtown more – t doesn’t have a wine bar, but it has a lovely cafe upstairs, and since I don’t drink, I prefer the cafe. Independent bookshop <3
Hi there NQN,
this place looks AWESOME! And they’re doing special wine events all year? That sounds right up my alley, especially since I’m really into Orange wines, especially those from Brangayne (the first bottle of wine picture with the Medieval-ish label).
Anyway, I’m even more excited about this place (which I hadn’t heard of until now), which is obviously a spin-off of The Berkelouw bookstore which is just outside of Berrima in the Southern Highlands (NSW). It’s actually more like a big barn on a farm which is absolutely packed (upstairs and downstairs) with books, new and second-hand. In winter they have a fire lit and there’s a sweet coffee shop there as well. I definitely recommend it, if you’re out that way.
Anyway, thanks for this excellent find!
What a fun day and cool place!
I love a glass of red wine, but find that a glass and a bit in, I’m totally trashed.
That looks sensational! I can’t wait to go I just love Berkelouw Books!
I am quite impartial to a few wines from the Orange region but my favourites at the moment have to be “The Tristan” by Brangayne and Orange Mountain Wines “Ice” dessert wine. Yummy!
i really like the layout of the place and the decorations it feels very warm and welcoming
i think i’ve walked past this place thinking it was just a book store and didnt go in! i wanna check it out :O)
I think I want to live in this bar – love the decor.
My favourite tipple is Pimms and Lemonade, followed closely by sparkling wine (sweet, of course!).
My favourite tipple is champagne, of course
Those chairs look super comfy and perfect for an afternoon of wine, food and girly gossip.
Wine gives me migraines – so that is off the table! But I love a good cocktail… and if that doesn’t fit the budget – there is nothing better than vodka, lots of fresh lime and lemonade. YUM
great to see what food they have. i did a walk through mid jan at night at there was a singer and pianist performing. was pretty full at the time
What a brilliant idea–wish that they had something like this in my city. Thanks for sharing!
Looks lovely! I think it would be easy to spend an entire day there
My favourite tipple is French champagne (I will never say no to it), Oz sparkling (as long as it is good), a great red or if being fancy a dry Manhattan.
Cheese strands! Oh yes!
“I can smell tobacco and a left handed man in this wine” …. tee hee! I am still trying to successfully use the phrase “aroma of horse saddle” since reading it said by Neil on Mardi’s blog.
My booze of choice? Champers! Woo
Sorry to say…..but for me, books trumps food and drink. Terrible I know…..
Wow, what a great place! First pic and I thought it would be a coffee shop but I love that a place so lovely, cozy and romantic is actually a wine bar! I love in France and I’ve never seen anything like it here! ( should open one!). The tasting platters are amazing and perfect! Everything looks so fabulous and I could easily spend an afternoon here!
Favorite tipple? Wine of course, me living in France and all! And I am just now starting to be able to taste things in wine.
The arancini balls look so good… oh, I’m not a champignon fan neither..hehe
That’s walking distance from my place, so I have no excuse for not having visited yet! I think I’ll schedule an afternoon there next week… Wine, food, and a good book – sounds perfect!
What a hard question NQN. I love to party with Champagne and settle in for a relaxing, cosy evening with a smooth Burgundy.
I didn’t realise there was a wine bar inside the book store! Wow =)
Fave tipple has to be a nice drop of bubbly
Never bn to this place, looks great!
three cheers for anything resulting in lengthy strands of melted cheese!
OH my dear.. that platter.. is DIVINE.. just so divine = ) The cheese, the olives and the.. mushrooms? Is that brioche?
I love the decor in there. All the tasting plates look incredible, but really I’m longing to try an arancini ball! (Those cheese strands have incited pure lust!
)
What a lovely place! The cheesey balls look amazing!
Bubbles all the way for me, preferably pink!! My brother-in-law who lives in the US always brings a Moet Vintage Nectar to have at Christmas lunch but I could have it every day, it’s so delectable. I’ve seen the Berkelouw many times when in Leichhardt but it’s always been when I’m there to see a movie or for a meal. I’ll have to try it out next time I’m there and probably stay as long as you did Lorraine,lol.
The dishes look inviting, Arancio means orange in Italian and Arancini is plural for little oranges, just wanted to clarify. These are a mainly southern Italian dish but can be found further North where they are called Supli and are oval shaped. When I make Supli, I have a cube of mozzarella as the ’surprise’ filling, which is very stringy and stretchy, especially when eaten hot and as kids we’d see just how far we could stretch the mozzarella.
Great review, what a lovely way to spend a lazy afternoon.
Damn, I really need to explorer my neighbourhood more! Cheese and good wine, that sounds like a great way to spend a weekend
Great photos darling! It was lovely to join you! I highly recommend this bar, it was a great atmosphere.
Hi Hannah-Thankyou! It’s true food porn isn’t it!
It’s really good, I can definitely recommend it! 
Hi Celia-We were too busy catching up to shop!
Hi joey-Yes it’s been there for ages! The wine bar part is new although they have a cafe downstairs
Hi Highlands Foodie-Ahh I had no idea there were so many!
Thanks!
Hi Amy-I like it sweet too! I’m with you!
Hi Rhiannon-Hehe cool! There’s something for everyone there I think!
Hehe so true!
Hi Fiona-They were although I preferred other things
I love dessert wine..mmm!
Hi Moya-Yes I love bookstores!
Ahh you sound just like a friend of min who loves both! 
Hi Krista-Lingering is definitely the way to go here
Hi sophia-I get really red if I drink too much! It was a great atmosphere
Hi sandra-You’re more than welcome!
Oh that was lovely!
Hi Sarah-Hehe I wonder if those people can really smell that!
Mmm I like it too!
Hi Sarah-hehe ahh it’s just that I haven’t quite logged on and approved the comments. But thanks for being there and reading it!
Hi SarahKate-I’m in love with the cider! Yes they’re well chosen
Hi Jen-It’s so comfortable isn’t it! Ahh yes we went there too! I love the lounges
Hi Jen-Yup all year round! Ahh well they’re doing Orange until Autumn! I had no idea they had so many!
You’re welcome and thanks for the recommendation!
Hi Mary Poppins in Heels-Ahh I’m a bit the same. I get headaches from some wine
Hi Claire-It’s a great bookstore isn’t it!
Hi Lisa-Ahh my friend has told me about ice dessert wines. I must try and get a hold of them!
Hi Betty-It is really nice, like someone’s really chic living room
Hi Cakelaw -It’s really nice isn’t it!
Oooh both really nice choices!
Hi BuBbles-Ahh of course!
It was the perfect place for it!
Hi Joy-Oh no, some do that with me too
Ahh good choices, headaches are no good!
Hi Simon-Yes it really gets swinging I hear!
Hi Stacy-You’re welcome!
Hi Anna-You really could!
All those books and food, why not? 
Hi jules-Hehe you’ve got some good options there!
Hi Conor-I know, how good are cheese strands?
LOL Aroma of horse saddle!
Hi Amanda-Hehe really?
Hi Jamie-Yes it’s a bit of everything!
Yes now that would be a fantastic idea! 
Ahh so you can do it?
Hi Ja-Hehe I don’t like anything about champignons
Hi KT-Ahh you are lucky! Yes a nice lazy afternoon with books and wine
HI Vintage Macaroon-It’s a hard question isn’t it!
Hi mlle délicieuse-Yes it’s quite new!
Hi Ladybird-It’s a nice idea how they have wines from different areas. I can really see that appealing!
Hi grace-Hehe so true!
Hi April Marie-I do love a platter (so roman!). It’s not brioche, it’s a regular bread but a goodie
Hi Faith-I know, how good are those strands? I was transfixed by them and I didn’t want them to break!
Hi pigpigscorner-Thankyou!
Hi Matilda-Hehe pink, nice choice!
What a nice brother in law! 
Ahh cool, my Italian is well limited to foodstuffs 
Hehe sounds like the kind of thing I’d love to do as a kid! Thankyou!
Hi Yas-Hehe it is for sure!
Hi Christie-Thankyou so much and thanks for the lovely company!
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