Wine, chocolate, good gastronomy, historic buildings and tradition. take what Portugal best, put it all together in an impressive cultural complex of 55 thousand square meters of built area and you’ll have the World of Wine Porto (WOW)a welcome novelty in the port city in the north of the country.
Baptized as a “cultural quarter”, WOW already induces by its name: whether for the best views of Porto, for the seven museums interactive with very rich collections or even by the twelve restaurantswhich serve from typical francesinha to exquisite dishes from contemporary cuisine, at some point visitors open their mouths to utter a simple “wow”.
Situated in Vila Nova de Gaiaon the other side of the Golden Riverthe project of around 100 million euros was inaugurated in July 2020, in the midst of the pandemic, but it has been better used at this time of opening of borders – since Porto receives many Brazilian, English, American and French tourists, in addition to the Portuguese themselves.
Although the cultural attractions cover several areas and industries of Portugal, the vinous soul is present in every corner. Outside the central square, the whole complex occupies former port wine cellarswhich were remodeled to receive the attractions and have not lost their characteristic inverted “V” shape.
The cellars belonged to Taylor’s, a brand owned by the group that operates WOW and which has a warehouse for visits and tastings on the same street as the complex, in the region of historic port wine area. Themed stores, chocolate factory, Wine School and spaces for events complete the attractions, in which the complex can be better spent on a full-day itinerary.
As the terrain in the region is uneven, staircases and charming alleys connect the main restaurants and cultural facilities of WOW, which, as a small neighborhood, is free to enter – but admission to museums and experiences is paid.
The museums are family-friendly and playful, as well as reflecting the cultural richness of the whole of Porto and offering a fresh option for tourists. And rest assured: the instagram stories and internet searches are aided by free high-speed Wi-Fi throughout the complex.
Here are the main points of what to see and do at WOW Porto:
Attractions for wine lovers
Tradition and location in one of the best-known wine regions in the world have weighed in favor of spaces entirely dedicated to the drink at WOW, which helps to strengthen the wine tourism in Portugal. It is the case of The Wine Experiencea two-story museum entirely dedicated to wine (not only from Porto) that, in a didactic way, makes the visitor learn from the stages of growth of the grape to the differences of the wine already in the bottle.
Practical, the museum plays with the five senses of visitors by showing representations of different types of soil and challenging them to discover certain aromas. The best of everything? The ticket of 17 euros entitles you to a wine tasting at the end of the experience.
Another space dedicated to drinking is the Pink Palacebut with one difference: it is “Instagrammable” and entirely dedicated to rosé wine. This means that in each of the five environments it is possible to taste a rosé label and enjoy photos for social networks.
The labels are predominantly Portuguese and there is a pool of pink polka dots, an old convertible car and even saloon of the Wild West. The fun is guaranteed with the shots of wine and the multicolored decorations, but remember: drink water between one glass and another.
In addition to the drink itself, WOW also has spaces dedicated to what surrounds the world of wine. Currently, Portugal is the largest producer and exporter of cork in the worldwhere around 40 million corks are produced per day, according to the Portuguese Cork Association, which explains Planet Cork, a museum entirely dedicated to the material.
Strong industry in the country, it is interesting to note that the use of cork goes beyond corks: there are clothes, sofas and even rocket parts used in aerospace missions with the material. In addition to all the knowledge, games and machines guarantee fun: you can step on a scale and find out how many corks correspond to your weight, play an interactive game with the objective of closing more bottles in the shortest time and even buy a personalized cork with your name for 1 euro.
In indirect dialogue with the world of wine, WOW presents the The Bridge Collectionprivate glass collection by Adrian Bridge, CEO of the Fladgate Partnership group – owner of WOW, Taylor’s, from The Yeatman hotel and businesses related to port wine, tourism and distribution.
with the aim of tell the story of humanity through cups and containersthe collection of 2,000 items is impressive: the oldest piece is an 8,000-year-old Neolithic Japanese vessel and there is even a section with radioactive cups made with uranium glass (which are not harmful).
If the libation takes the path of most cultural attractions, that is, the pleasurable and ritualistic act of drinking wine, it is in Wine School that the educational part enters with more vigor. With rooms and kitchens, it serves different audiences: the curious, connoisseurs and professionals come here with the purpose of learning and demystifying wine in a pleasant and didactic way.
Courses, workshops, harmonization and thematic training for professionals are held at the facility, in addition to, of course, tastings. Prices depend on the course and categories – international wine workshops will also be introduced in the future.
All involvement with the wine theme led to the World of Wine to win the “Special Achievement Award” from the Best of Wine Tourism contest in 2022, an award that celebrates special projects in the wine world for innovation in the wine tourism sector. Previously, only La Cité du Vin, the “city of wine” in Bordeaux, Francehad received the distinction.
Beyond wine: chocolates and fashion
Closer to the level of the River Douro is the The Chocolate Story, the largest museum in the country on this theme, whose white facade houses a museum and a chocolate factory of the gourmet brand Vinte Vinte, which was born from the construction of the museum itself.
Just as the grape turns into wine, here it is understood how cocoa turns into chocolate, with its peculiarities and specificities. The goal is to bring the product approach not only as a bar, but to highlight its entire history, from the beginnings to large-scale production.
But perhaps most interesting is the fact that Chocolate Story is a living museum: in addition to touching the senses, where cocoa is eaten and different varieties of the fruit are smelled, visitors can see the factory that works in the middle of the museum up close. The experience of both occurs at the same time, and the factory is an example of showing production in a self-explanatory way. The whole experience is a true walk through the history and flavors of chocolate.
You can also customize the candy itself and try to get bars in machines similar to those used for stuffed animals. Workshops are also offered with the aim of bringing the senses to the table: different pieces are tasted together with wines, and the nuances between aroma and flavor are highlighted. Fun fact: in a tasting, you should put the chocolate in your mouth and wait for it to melt, as opposed to chewing it.
If the food and beverage industry takes the spotlight, it’s time for portuguese fashion also have their place in the complex. An important industry for northern Portugal, the fashion museum is divided into two floors: the first focuses on the textile industry in general and the second on the country’s fashion scene.
Emblematic names have their pieces on display at Porto Fashion & Fabric Museum, where old brands and newer ones are side by side. The end of the museum opens into a corridor with designer stores from Porto and Portugal.
One of the curiosities is that inside the museum there is a restored chapel from 1760, the Atkinson Chapel. It was known about the existence of the chapel, but the works to establish the museum revealed frescoes never before known to the publicwhich can now be viewed up close.
Finally, the history of the city of Porto is told in the Porto Region Across the Ages, starting point to understand more about the historical and cultural heritage of the “invicta city”. Conquests, invasions, wars and a timeline that led Porto to be what it is today are on display, just as it is possible to enter an icon of the city: a replica of a full-size cable car.
portuguese cuisine
In the midst of so many cultural options, the gastronomy also stands out as an appetizing attraction at WOW. The twelve restaurants and bars are spread across the complex and focus, each in its own way, on different techniques and cuisines – all paired, of course, with port wine.
starting with The Golden Catch, just in front of the central square, which is focused on fresh fish from the country’s extensive coast. Here, in addition to ceviche, mackerel and scallops for starters, you can eat cataplana, a dish from the south of Portugal with fish of the day, mussels, shrimp and coriander served in a characteristic copper-colored container.
If you want an even more traditional cuisine, the T&C is the option: from the kitchen just below the Wine School, typical dishes come out in the style “that every Portuguese family makes and knows”. Alheira and caldo verde are traditional starters, while cod, veal ribs and the traditional Porto francesinha stand out among the main dishes.
more casual, the Pip Restaurant features soups, salads, oven-baked pizzas, hamburgers and lasagnas in a tavern-like setting. Tip: the dishes are very well served and can be shared.
If you want a cocktail in the evening, the order is the Angel’s Share, an elegantly decorated wine bar with a large panel above the shelves reminiscent of an angel. It’s a pleasant place to sit on the sofa and chat with colleagues while drinking a Terracotta – an original drink made with Irish whiskey, cocoa, red fruits and eucalyptus.
At a higher level, the 1828 impresses by its quality, robustness and views of Porto. Focused on prime cuts, try a beef cheek for starter and then choose between entrecôte, ribeye and even tomahawk alongside side dishes – such as grilled asparagus and potatoes sautéed in duck fat. The restaurant’s concept recalls the country’s civil war, with rustic representations on the ceiling and waiters in garb that resemble infantry.
prices and service
access to WOW it is free. Charges are only made for admission to museums, School of Wine courses and consumption of food and drinks in restaurants.
Entrance fees to the museums vary between 17 and 25 euros for people over 13 years old. As there are several cultural apparatuses that can be visited in the same day, the combos are cheaper: two museums cost 30 euros; three for 38 euros and five for 55 euros. Check more details at official site.
WOW Porto is located at Rua do Choupelo, 39, in Vila Nova de Gaia, with access via car, bus, subway and taxi on the Douro River – or on foot, if you want to cross the city’s postcard, the D. Luís I bridge, and enjoy Porto from a different perspective.
Source: CNN Brasil
