Pardon us while we melt. A new wine and charcuterie shop, Bacchus, quietly opened its doors at 124 2nd Avenue Northeast at the start of 2019 and it is a treasure trove of savory delights.

Bacchus is the brainchild of Philippe Challeau and Christophe Guillot, the business partners have been marinating this passion project for years. Finally, back in July 2018, the right space opened up for the pair to share their culinary proclivities with Sunshine City residents.

Wines and cheeses from across the world

The range of products span the top food destinations across the globe. Meticulously selected items from France, Spain, Italy, Australia, New Zealand and Argentina populate their shelves. Irresistible jars of honey and marmalade,  artisanal oils and vinegars and a prized Argentinian Malbec glisten in the proverbial showroom.

Cheeses from France, beer from Belgium, sardines from Portugal and charcuterie from Italy are there to essentially slay your palate and open you up to a whole new world of flavor.

If you find the plethora of unique offerings more daunting than a New Year’s Day Netflix content drop, never fear, shopping at Bacchus is as much an educational experience as it is a dining experience. Literally, there’s a sprawling wine library on the inside.

Sip and shop at the gourmet market 

Don’t feel rushed out the door. The shop features a fine menu of small plates and wines for visitors to savor and sip in the refined space.

Owner Christophe is excited to bring Gallette butter cookies from France to the streets of St. Pete. It’s basically 1,400-square-feet of food euphoria.

Bacchus should soft open on January 7. Tentative hours will be Monday through Sunday, from 10am-1am. Lunch hours are 10am-4pm, happy hour runs from 4pm-7pm and the market remains open from 7pm-1am.

What’s in a name

Curious what Bacchus means? Bacchus, another name for Dionysus, refers to the Greek God of wine and revelry. We’re getting good vibes from the Burg’s newest gourmet hub. It’s a shop that will elevate your date night, refine and elevate your tastes and remind you that dining is a wonderful adventure.

Bacchus is planning a major opening celebration at the end of January. Follow the gourmet market on Facebook and their website for updates on new items, happy hour specials and upcoming events.

EDITOR’S NOTE: An earlier draft of the article stated the owners were Anais and Christophe Guillot. This has been corrected to state that the owners are Philippe Challeau and Christophe Guillot.