Bodega’s back (and better)

It was such a welcome return to see Christchurch wine bar Bodega reopen last week. And what’s more, it has a fresh new look and ethos: Wine as wine was. Owner Meg explains: “The focus is on low-intervention clever wine making, which results in less faff and all the flavour.”

Meg joined forces with husband James Fowler on the new Bodega, following the birth of their beautiful baby boy. And James is a pretty handy man to know, with Southbourne hotspots Larderhouse, Terroir Tapas and Parlourmentary under his belt.

The on-site shop has around 150 bottles - including a growing number of British wines - which you can buy to take away or drink in for £10 corkage. If you know anything about the mark-up on wines, this makes it pretty affordable to sit in and enjoy a bottle (or two).

As far as wines by the glass go, the bar staff will open five bottles of red and white each week, plus two bottles of fizz and two rose or orange wines. This will all be dictated by the customers, so get in early in the week if you want to see your choice on the weekly menu. This rotating menu offers the opportunity to try loads of different things. Quite an exciting prospect!

There is a new bar where you can pull up a stool, which I always think is a welcoming option for solo drinkers. And can we just talk about the oh-so-gorgeous tiles that adorn that bar, handmade in Southbourne?

Following two stints of pregnancy-related teetotalism, I have no interest in non-alcoholic drinks, but some people might like to know that Bodega sells three non-alcoholic wines and a range of non-alcoholic spirits.

You can grab yourself some cheese and charcuterie to nibble on - courtesy of cheese heaven Parlourmentary - and the plan is eventually for chefs from Larderhouse and Terroir Tapas to do pop-ups.

So book a table or just show up, check in on the NHS Test and Trace app, and wear a mask until it’s replaced with a glass. Cheers!