If ever there were a better combination than wine and cheese, it is unknown to me. They are soulmates, brethren, kindred spirits if you will. Great on their own – but even better together. Check out any of the following selection of wonderful wine-and-cheese spots to discover for yourself…

Bobby’s, Dublin

Tucked away on Dublin’s Baggot Street, Bobby’s wine bar is worth seeking out. They have just reopened for indoor dining but fear not, they also boast a cosy outdoor heated area for those who prefer to brave the elements. Bobby’s is open Wednesday – Saturday from 5pm with a good selection of wines by the glass, charcuterie and the ever-important cheese. There is also live music on Saturday evenings – the romance! www.bobbys.ie

Note Dublin, Fenian Street

Opening this weekend, Note Dublin is the much-anticipated new venture of Andy Collins, owner of fashion, lifestyle store and specialty cafe, Indigo & Cloth. Ahmad Fakhry, designer and creative director of AB Projects, and head chef Essa Fakhry. Note will offer food, wine, coffee and more with a bar, bistro (opening December 1^st) and Bureau, a specialty coffee bar and retail store. The heavy hitters at the helm include Sommelier Katie Seward (formerly Neighbourhood Wine, Brawn – London, Forest and Marcy), Bar Manager Alan Cavanagh (formerly 777, Saba and Luna) and head chef Essa Fakhry formerly of 777, Amy Austin, Charlotte Quay. We expect great things … www.notedublin.com

La Ruelle Wine Bar, Dublin

Just opposite the Mansion House on Joshua Lane, La Ruelle is perhaps the most well-hidden wine bar in Dublin. With wines available by the glass, bottle or carafe, all the classics make an appearance on the menu and there is lots of cheese to choose from, including the most indulgent camembert chaud. www.laruelle.ie

L’Attitude 51, Cork

Open indoors from 3.30pm on Wednesday to Saturday, a wonderful afternoon could be made of basking in the very pleasant surroundings of L’Attitude 51 on Cork’s Union Quay. L’Attitude 51 is both a wine shop and a wine bar/restaurant serving simple small plates and a wide selection of organic, biodynamic and natural wines by the glass and bottle. They also hold regular ‘Guerrilla Tastings’, informal pop-up tastings arranged at a moment’s notice! www.latitude51.ie

Sheridan’s Wine Bar, Galway

If there were a name synonymous with cheese in Ireland, it would have to be Sheridan’s, so it comes as no surprise that their Galway wine and cheese bar is  ideal for wine and cheese lovers countrywide. The menu leans heavily on old-world wines, all imported and selected exclusively by Sheridan’s. The ‘By the Glass’ selection changes daily so there is always something new to discover, whatever the mood. As expected, there is plenty of top notch cheese and charcuterie to accompany the wine. www.sheridanscheesemongers.com

Loose Canon, Drury Street

If natural wines and a broad selection of cheese appeals, then Loose Canon on Dublin’s Drury Street is the place to go. It’s small, but perfectly formed and the Loose Canon toasties have gained a somewhat legendary status. Open daily from 11am. www.loosecanon.ie

Beau Vino, Castleknock

Coffee by day, wine by night is the slogan at Beau Vino in the Dublin suburb of Castleknock. With an assortment of wine on tap along with a solid selection of bottles on the shelves, the cheese and charcuterie platter for two including a 1L bottle of wine is priced at €45 and makes for a very pleasant way to spend a couple of hours among friends. www.beau-vino.ie

Ox Cave, Belfast

Part of the increasingly popular Ox Restaurant on Belfast’s Oxford Street, Ox Cave is a small slice of heaven for wine and cheese lovers. Wines are available by the glass, carafe or by the bottle, there is also a perfectly-formed selection of cocktails, cheese, charcuterie and hot plates too. www.oxbelfast.com

The Black Pig, Kinsale

No one has ever needed a reason to visit Kinsale, but in case you felt you did, The Black Pig Wine Bar is it. With more awards than you can shake a stick at, there is a choice of over 250 wines by the bottle with over 150 by the glass. In their own words “The Black Pig is not a fancy place; just a simple place where good friends can relax, eat and drink good food and good wine and create memories for many years to come”. Add to that the cheeseboard of dreams, aged beef carpaccio and a swoon worthy vegetarian antipasto platter and this really is the wine bar of dreams. www.theblackpigwinebar.com

Fallon and Byrne

The newly refurbished Wine Cellar at Fallon and Byrne is back and I for one have missed it greatly. Shelves upon shelves stacked high with bottles of wine as far as the eye can see, nibbles, small plates, cheese and charcuterie. More than peckish? There is also a small but perfectly formed selection of pizza and pasta and with its convenient Exchequer Street location, they make it oh so easy.  www.fallonandbyrne.com