Danny Fernandez
Everyone has a favourite local shop. For me, that shop is my local bodega. An essential part of local culture and tradition, bodegas often combine a wine shop and bar. Many have been serving communities for generations, such as Bodega Maestrazgo in the Born, which was opened in 1952 by the grandfather of the current owner, José Moliner.
This hidden gem is overflowing with character from the moment you enter the barrel-filled shop floor. It offers a vast range of exceptional wines, as well as some of the best gourmet artisan products from across the country. The seating area at the back of the store is surrounded by wine crates, crowded shelves and seemingly endless boxes of limited edition Grenaches and Tempranillos, waiting to be enjoyed with a plate of jamón, expertly carved by Feddy who mans the kitchen area. Ornate wooden tables and rustic wine barrels fill the room, where regulars perch to sample the delicious wines and a lively atmosphere fills the air until late each evening.
But it’s the owner and staff that really stand out in this bodega. Their knowledge, passion for what they do and welcoming smiles keep customers coming back for more, and José is always on hand to recommend a wine to the most discerning of tastes. Next door, there is a private tasting room, which hosts regular wine events—the Maestrazgo Wine Club meets here fortnightly, led by sommelier Fintan Kerr (winecuentista.com).
Besides a plethora of wines to choose from, there are also the more than acceptable house wines, which can be bought straight from the barrel (a granel). Bodegas may be an age-old tradition, but this one hasn’t lost one drop of its original charm.