Brought to you by the Wine & Cheese Festival

Cheese lovers and wine aficionados — Wine & Cheese Fest is BACK.

Yes, it's time to pencil it into your diaries because it's safe to say, this is one you won't want to miss. The team behind Eatyard and Sunday Sessions at Pot Duggans are bringing the very best food and wine from Irish producers to Dublin's Iveagh Gardens, from August 8 to 11. (Hurrah!) It's all very appealing particularly because there's no fancy fuss, just exceptional quality food and wine. It's simply recommended that we come prepared to taste, drink, eat, chat, dance and have a fabulous time. So what kind of bites and wine should we expect at 2019's Wine & Cheese Festival? Well... The outstanding Green Man Wines, from Terenure, is bringing a whole host of exceptional goods from its shop and restaurant for us to try, and indeed, we'll want to. The quality-driven producers won the 'Best Wine Experience' in Ireland at the 2019 Irish Restaurant Awards. (Yeow!) Wine Lab will be serving wine on tap, but of course, with a difference. All vino is sourced directly from vineyards and then kegged specifically for Wine Lab. You see, they're all about drinking wine in a way that's kinder to the planet while also providing us with exceptional quality wines. (We're on board!) Cork's much-loved independent wine-makers, L'Atitude 51, will be there too. Although the Cork shop is undergoing repair, leaving L'Atitude 51 temporarily closed, fans will be glad to know they have a chance to get their mitts on these superb wines at the Wine & Cheese Festival! Kinsale Mead, suppliers of the world's oldest alcoholic drink (or 'miodh,' as Gaeilge) has been having somewhat of a revival thanks to these fine folks. It's a must-try, friends. Wines Direct, who you'll recognise from various festivals by now, work hard to source independently grown wines from around the world, bringing home remarkable wines for us to add to our favourites. You'll most definitely want a sip. Quintessential Wines will also be making a return, pouring their dazzling selection of natural wines. Of course, it's essential to cater to those who aren't such big fans of the grape. In this case, be sure to try a refreshing craft beer at the Brewtonic bar (low and no-alcohol options) plus lots of colourful cocktails and spritzes. Then, there's the glorious food. Being honest, we can't even contain our excitement. The famous Sheridans Cheesemongers will be on hand with their fine artisan and farmhouse cheeses, including some of the best continental cheeses available. Award-winning Corleggy Cheese will have a superb selection of raw goat, cow and sheep cheeses, while Little Italy (Ireland's gourmet Italian importer) will be handing out some of the finest fromaggio there is. Vegan friends, you'll be glad to know the delicious Vish Shop will be there (you may recall scoffing down their delicious grub at Eatyard). So, prepare to feast, once more. There'll also be The Wooded Pig Irish charcuterie, Handsome Burger cheeseburgers and Beo Wine Bar & Kitchen. It's clear that this celebration of food and wine will not only be terrific for those longing to cleanse their palate with the finest produce there is, but be sure to join in on the Cheesy Singalong Social, the Easy Singles speed dating rendezvous and of course The Ultimate Irish Toastie Championships too. Our inner environmentalist is pleased to learn that it will be a low-waste event, banning (as much as is possible) single-use plastic from the site.  Organisers will be using reusable wine glasses for all vendors instead of disposables while only biodegradable disposables will be used by food vendors. (YAY!) You can find out more on this right here. Tickets start at €16 and you can get them right here. Now, let us tuck in! Brought to you by the Wine & Cheese Festival The Wine & Cheese Festival takes place from August 8 to 11, at the Iveagh Gardens, Dublin.