Last full day in Porto/Vila Nova de Gaia. Cynthia Opsal, the Taylor-Fladgate Ambassador, had arranged for tickets to the WOW (World of Wine) Museum. As our time was limited, we chose to do The Wine Experience. For a self-confessed Wine Nerd, this was something akin to Nirvana. Everything I have learned to this point, about wine, in one place. Maps? Check. Vineyard Soils and the types of vine training and pruning methods used in each? Check. Diagrams everywhere. Explanations as to how certain types are wines are made (still/sparkling/fortified)? Check. They even had an area where they discussed the wood used in barrel making. Antique tools? Check. Towards the end there is an area where there is a street scene as you would see it in specific areas in Portugal and what grapes, soil types, pruning methods, etc. are in use there. At the end was a tasting – a sparkling, a white, a red and a fortified (Port). Naturally, you exit into the Gift Shop. Yes, yes, I did buy a few things there. I would really like to go back and have the opportunity to go to the other parts of the museum.
We flew back to Germany on October 17th. It has been a fun and informative time in Porto. The people and welcoming and friendly. The food was amazing.
