A long time fan, Alexandrina Cheese Co products have been gracing the shelves of my fridge for…read moreseveral years now. As a cheese-a-holic in South Australia their goods would be fortuitously hard to avoid! The magical dairy epicentre of happy, dancing cows is south of Adelaide on the way to Victor Harbour. As you pull into the driveway you are greeted by a stylised metallic cow sculpture, the mascot of the cheese factory. My favourite thing to do is sample all their lovely cheeses before I decide which ones are coming home with me. My favourites include the spiced gouda (with caraway seeds in it), the cheese curd (deliciously salty and reminds me of nursery rhymes and the Canadian dish of poutine) and the haloumi, YUM! There is some seating inside and out for devonshire teas and enjoying the serenity. A milkshake and slice of cheesecake deal seems to provide an excellent fix for dairy junkies at just $7. The double cream used on scomes is so thick, it's like trying to spread butter out of the fridge, but my goodness it is tasty and the afore mentioned milkshakes are great with malt and come served in those great retro silver milkshake cups - great novelty! The atmosphere can be a little cold, but it is a tea shop attached to a cheese factory after all, so sit infront of the big window that lets you watch the magic on the factory floor as it happens. Also note the locals who come by to pick up their daily milk! Ahh, rural joy.

This is the goto place for cheese & decent quality small goods in this area. It's a very small…read moreplace in the middle of a busy shopping centre unfortunately dwarfed by an evil 'Woolworths' banner (see pic). But don't let that fool you. They have very friendly & helpful staff (even at 6.30am when they are not even officially open). If your craving for some Italian or Austrian style meat (as I too often do) you can do much worse than these guys. Short of driving to the Adelaide Central Market this (and their larger outlet in Edwardstown - Castle Plaza) this is your best bet for anything cheese, leberwurst, prosciutto, schinkenwurst and other European style foods.

After tucking in to the delicious dairy delights on offer at The Cheesemonger you'll be flashing a…read morebig cheesey grin. Set between stores in the middle of the walkway at the very western end of Westfield Shopping centre, The Cheesemonger is 360 degrees of beautiful bree, charactered camembert, and elegant edam. There are some additional gourmet foods on offer to compliment your choice of cheese, but it's the fabulous fromage that is the star of this store. Staff are dutiful, and semi-knowledgeable about their produce. Prices are affordable and there are a wide selection of non-mainstream cheeses, which is why I get my Crottin de Chavignol from here.

Oh my cheeses why didn't anyone tell me this factory outlet was so close to my house!! I went there…read moreand picked up a brie wheel the size of my head for like five bucks! You have to travel through an industrial area in Glynde but the little shop is hard to miss, what with it being attached to an enormous cheese making factory. When you go into this tiny little space you will first be shocked by how busy it is, and second be shocked by how hungry you are: everything looks and smells amazing. And so cheap! La Casa Del Formaggio is a family owned Australian business that started in 1988 when an Italian couple started a little shop providing the food they missed from Italy, they're now making 30,000 kilo's of cheese a week. The shop also has lots of dips, nuts, and assorted continental gourmet treats. If they have brie in Heaven, this is what it tastes like.

I went there simply because I saw Liz A's review because it made me aware this place existed! As I…read morework just around the corner, love supporting other local businesses and I am making a platter for this weekend I just had to check it out! I bought a lot more than I intended, yet spent very little! All up 3 cheeses for just $10, bargain I say! Can't wait to try and I'm pretty sure I'll be back! Thanks Yelp! Without the review I never would've found this little cheesy gem!

Botega Rotolo is a really good Italian/gourmet food store in Norwood…read more It is tucked away a bit, in an unobtrusive building on Osmond terrace which at first glance almost could pass as an accountant's office. Inside there are stacks of pastas, preserves, oils and vineagars and of course, fancy imported wine and cheese in which they specialize. In addition to functioning as a gourmet food store, Botega Rotolo also offer cooking classes at which one can be initiated into the cooking secrets of the Italian masters (like garlic is for slow cooking and onions for fast cooking and never the twain shall meet). The quality of the produce here is high and things are certainly not cheap, but it is quite good value considering what you are paying for.

Bottega Rotolo's cheese room is undoubtedly the best I've ever experienced. There's something…read moredecadent about those huge wheels of cheese. Maybe its not so much decadence as it is my arteries hardening at the thought of all that cheese but let's forget my arteries momentarily and talk cheese! As well as locally produced cheeses, their cheese room stocks products from Italy, France and Spain and those using a variety of milks and ingredients. Soft cheese, hard cheese, blue cheese, any cheese ... Don't let me give you the wrong idea though, Bottega Rotolo is not only about cheese. Just go inside and you'll find foods you never dreamed existed unless of course you're already a gourmet chef. If you are (or you're a chef in the making) and you're in the market for some couverture chocolate, Italian sparkling wine, truffles, imported pasta, or a spot of caviar - is your mouth watering yet - pay Connie and Rosalie a visit. Bottega Rotolo also hold their own cooking classes. After all what's the use of having all those ingredients if you don't know what to do with them. Their classes include everything from total hands on experiences to demonstrations as well as a combination of the two. They issue a new calendar of classes every couple of months and most are priced at $95. Located on Osmond Terrace at Norwood just before you get to the Oriental Hotel. In fact if you get to the Oriental, you've gone too far. Look for the famous Bottega "B" on their sign.

I am really surprised that I did not review this place earlier. Wow, I have been stopping in the…read moreWoodside Cheese Wrights for a couple of years now. It is definitely one of the stops when I am showing people through the Adelaide Hills. Make sure you schedule a stop here if you are going on a wine tour. What I love about the cheese here is that they all taste quite unique. Why? Well a lot of them are made from goat and buffalo milk. There are some cow varieties, but Woodside really do love producing something different. They also like producing seasonal varieties. Be sure to ask what the current seasonal cheese is. They generally are rolled in different seasonings and herbs. Some are chevre. So creamy and light. I have three faves here. The ashed goats chevre, saltbush goat chevre, and triple cream brie. Some of their blues are lovely, but need to be eaten fast and fresh as they develop quickly into very strong flavours. But, if you like that sort of thing, leave it for a few days. The set up here is really welcoming and relaxing. There is a whole range of accompaniments available for you to buy that match with cheese or just general cooking. You can also purchase cheese knives and boards here (some signature ones as well). For groups you can also call ahead and ask for a cheese tasting or book a table in the back room. The staff here are very friendly and knowledgeable. You will enjoy sitting, relaxing and leaning about their methods.

Cheese is one of nature's perfect foods. Woodside chevre is the most delicious chevre I've ever…read moreeaten. The Monet was incredibly good and so was the saltbush and the chilli and herb coated chevres. I was a bit disappointed in the quality of the brie, and the goat's curd had such promise at the tasting table, but later, having got a tub and gone home, it wasn't nearly as good. The tasting room also has olives and condiments and wine, and the Corriole kalamata olives are fantastic. Staff were friendly and very talkative. Prices are a bit higher but you are paying for gourmet cheese, so there you go. Next door to Melba's, you can't miss this place and if you love cheese, give it a go!

Say Cheese is probably the biggest cheese stall in the markets…read more They have a huge range of both local and imported cheeses, as well as cheese accompanyments, such a quince and fig paste and crackers. Say Cheese has free cheese tastings on Thursdays, Fridays and, Saturdays (my favorite way to sample cheese) although it can be a bit sporadic so you have to luck out. Prices vary according to quality and the nature of the cheese, but you can be pretty sure to find something good for a reasonable price. Unless you are looking for dodgy cheddar or kraft singles, they'll probably have what you are looking for.

Ah, the central market. What a spectacular place. Full of smells, sights, sounds and tastes…read more There's one category of shop that the market keeps me coming back for. Cheese shops. "Say Cheese... by Jove; what do they sell?" said no one, ever. They sell Cheeeeese. What kind of cheese? All the cheeses of the world of course. Want something to grill? They've got Gruyeres and English Cheddar, Gouda and Provolone. Pizza? They have you covered with Mozzarella, Bocconcini, Fetta, etcetera. Platter you say? Get some Gorgonzola, Goats Chevre, Watsonia or smoked Cheddar, Brie, Camembert, D' Argental and more. They also sell crispy crackers, terrine, pate, fruit pastes and bread. Enough to make you dance around singing about cheese and then have crazy nightmares. Well worth a visit... every week for the rest of your life.

La Vera is a boutique factory cheese making company where the number one focus is "the genuine art…read moreof cheese making." With cheese making facilities on site the real attraction for punters like you and me is the La Vera retail outlet shop. The shop is open to the general public who can buy both the amazing array of La Vera cheeses along with all sorts of other gourmet treats. Visit the shop on almost any day and you'll be joined at the counter by legions of Italian ladies. In fact the chief language spoken inside the shop is Italian. Not being familiar with the language myself, I brought the tone down considerably with my Aussie strine but the whole experience made me feel like I was temporarily transported to an Italian marketplace. Of their range of products, the cheeses I recommend are the La Vera Ricotta which head cheese maker Pino says is best eaten on fresh bread and with a drizzle of honey - his version of the breakfast of champions. I love the La Vera Mascarpone. It is quite simply to die for. In fact you may want to visit your local GP first to get your cholesterol checked before eating. Their mozzarella balls both large and small, are the creamiest and most divine you could experience. And if you are a lover of blue cheese, you just can't go past the La Vera Adel Blue and the Adel Blue Spreadable. Here's a secret tip - if you go to the ABC's website for The Cook and the Chef, and search the recipes for Fig and Blue Cheese Tartlets, Maggie Beer's recipe uses the La Vera products. Shhh, don't tell!

La Vera used to sell their cheeses direct to the public from the factory 'cellar door' - it was a…read morequaint experience which is a little lost now with the much more polished 'Bottega La Vera' opened a few shops down the road - that's not an entirely bad thing though, the Bottega is one of the most impressive places to buy food in the area. They ARE specialists in cheese, and if you're a cheese lover you owe it to yourself to sample the range. There's everything from hard Pecorino and Parmesan to Mozarella and Bocconcini, Blue, Brie, and everything in between. I recommend the hot chilli Casalingo - I haven't had another cheese like it.

Welcome to heaven! Loaded with wine, chocolate, essential gourmet pantry items and a massive…read morechilled cheese room, this place is a veritable feast of deliciousness. I was in Adelaide on business so wasn't in the market to buy any cheese, but regardless the cheesemonger here was happy to chat to me about cheeses, and even gave me a few samples of some of the more interesting ones available. The staff here were so lovely and willing to share knowledge (and samples!) or a number of their products. I tried a number of their italian vinegars and settled on a rather good bottle of balsamic to slip in my suitcase to take home. If I were having a dinner party or picnic in Adelaide, then I would absolutely make a stop here for a chunk of fromage, a bottle of wine and perhaps a little charcuterie. It would also be a great place to buy a gift for a food loving friend!

Wow! Just Wow! That is pretty much my review there. But, I should probably explain…read more I am just so stuck for words in finding such an amazing store. The part that really has me so excited is that they have their own refrigerated cheese store and display room. With it's own sliding door entry and exit. I would describe it as walking into the Magic Cave at Christmas for the first time. The smells, the excitement, the overall overwhelming sense of happiness. In fact, (and I could be wrong) but I think that this might be the only refrigerated cheese room in a speciality store in Adelaide. That means you have to check it out. This is a glowing cheesy heaven. I should also mention that Bottega Rotolo stocks diverse range other items as well. Oils, condiments, Italian wines and food speciality items. Please note that all of the items you will find in this store are top quality. I think that this store is a great place to shop for presents as well. You can purchase a wide range of balsamic vinegars, teas, chocolates, the list goes on and on. But, let's get back to the cheese room. The range in this display room is really and truly grand. They stock a lot of high grade cheeses to the affordable kind. So there is something to suit all budgets. The best part is that this store offers educational experiences about speciality food items and cheese. This would be a great idea for a work group to do something social and different. There are various samples for you to try as well to assist in making your decisions. Do not hesitate to speak to the lovely and knowledgeable staff. They are more than willing to help and a re very passionate about their produce. I insist that the people of Adelaide try this store. You will, like me, will want to move into the store and just indulge on everything!

CHEESE......I can hardly say the word without deep, dare I say moderatley arousing feelings…read more I am not talking about your hunk of Colby or Chedder from the local supermarket.....funk no! I am talking soft, gooey, odourous cheese, with just the right amount of day old sock taste. The only place for this is The Smelly Cheese Shop in the Central Market. Imported from France, Italy and Tasmania (it's over seas), there really are not words that can describe the truely beautiful rich flavoured cheeses that this wonderful stall holds within its shelves. Yes, it is more expensive that a wedge of packaged plastic from the dairy cabinet at the local, but you will appreciate its worth when it hits your tongue. They stock some hard cheeses too, that are all well and good, but they just don't compare to a ripe Brie all squeezy and sticky and stuff.

The Smelly Cheese Shop is a wonderful stall in the Adelaide Central Markets…read more Laden with all manner of local and imported cheeses, there is more cheese here than could be tried in a life time. Big wheels are displayed about the store as well as more petite cuts in the glassed display area. Staff are knowledgeable and helpful, and are happy to field enquieries as to the character and origin of a certain cheese. As the name suggests, they are well known for their broad selection of blue cheeses.

They have a small but tasty (not referring to cheese type) range of brie, washrind and the bits and…read morepieces you have with a cheese plate. We stopped here for a bunch of cheeses and meats for the dinner meal of wine and cheese (all class). They make a whole bunch of cheeses on site, but do small batches so you won't find a mountain of them but they'll do haloumi one day and a different style the next. The lady doing the tastings of the cheese was very free with the tastings which makes a change from other cheese places I've been to (I'm talking to you, Hunter Valley), but definitely had a bit of a growl to her rather than welcoming. Country gruff and took a while to break her down to make her smile.

Everyone who has read some of my reviews probably knows by now that I love cheese. Can't help it…read more That's why I was quite excited to go and visit the store of The Barossa Valley Cheese Company. I have had some of their cheeses before (you can buy them in several delis and supermarkets in Adelaide) and they're all lovely and very tasty. I was slightly disappointed with this shop though, for several reasons. First of all they didn't have any of my favourite cheese, the Petit Prince. Out of stock. Second, I imagined the place to be bigger, with more cheeses available for tasting. We were able to try the Geo, Brie and Washrind (all great) but I was hoping to try some other things I didn't know yet. However, the visit to their shop hasn't minimised the love I share for their brand. If you don't know them, try the Petit Prince or Petite Princesse. They're delicious!