We tried an indulgent fondue at a wine bar in Birmingham and it could be the best way to enjoy wine in winter
A wine bar in Birmingham is serving an indulgent fondue with its huge selection of vino - and we went along to try it out
Can there be a more perfect double act than wine and cheese?
Forget Laurel and Hardy, French and Saunders and Batman and Robin.
Sure they can give you a lift with a laugh, but it’s winter and what better way to get you through the chilly weather, grey days and dark nights than indulging in the ultimate comfort food combination of cheese and wine.
And if that cheese is served up all gooey and tasty in a hot pot in a stylish wine bar packed with people having fun, then even better.
We discovered the sheer joy of fondue (and wine) at Vagabond on Colmore Row in Birmingham city centre on a recent Saturday afternoon.
The wine bar is renowned for its alluring self-pour selection of more than 100 bottles of wine, temptingly lined up throughout the venue with tall tables dotted around, big windows where you can watch the big city bustle of life go by and an area where guests can be served if they’re not up for pouring wine themselves.
Fondue isn’t the only food accompaniment available. There are a host of seasonal small plates and sharing boards to enjoy too - but during my most recent visit, it was all about the fondue.
Originally a hearty meal for Swiss Alpine people during the winter months, fondue became a national dish of Switzerland in the 1930s and its popularity soon spread to the UK and US.
Yet this was the first time I had ever tried it - and I can’t believe I’ve been wasting so much time.
The bubbling pot of cheese liquid was served in an iron pot which sat upon a gas light to keep it warm, carefully placed by two members of Vagabond staff.
Alongside the fondue, we were served a plate of diced potatoes, bread and pickles to dip in.
I went for a potato dipper first, stabbing it with a long needle like metal prong before I dunked it in the cheese.
After letting it cool for a few seconds on the plate I then plucked it with my fork and popped it into my mouth.
It was a wonderful moment. Strong, powerful warm and tasty cheese smothered the soft potato goodness, exploding with flavour and cheer.
Soothing and wholesome it slipped down my throat. The moment was elevated even further with a sip of crisp white wine from France. Our waitress had brought us each a glass of Savoie from the French Alps - an undiscovered treasure from the Gallic wine region where small scale vineyards are found, producing indigenous grapes.
Our pot of cheese bubbled away nicely as we made our way through more potatoes and bread.
The pickled peppers and onions were a particular favourite of mine with the melted cheese. My friend enjoyed the bread. We also enjoyed a glass of red from Croatia while chatting and eating.
The Slavonija had been aged for ten months in oak barrels before arriving in the pouring machines at Vagabond. Notes of pepper, and cherry coke along with silky tannins were pretty more-ish and a fabulous accompaniment to our hot cheese coated bites.
It was a great way to enjoy a Saturday afternoon. You can supercharge your pot with rich black truffle and add pigs-in-blankets, porabello mushrooms and Serrano with gnocco fritto, if the mood takes you.
Cheese and wine - you just can’t beat it, especially in winter in Birmingham.
Fondue at Vagabond is priced at £22 per person. Early bookings are strongly advised. More info right here: Vagabond fondue
