Vinopolis World Of Wine

Been there twice in 2007. First, the wine tour. Collect a glass and wend your way through a small museum of winemaking, visiting tasting tables along the way. All but the serious wine buffs will learn something from the exhibitions, but the tastings are pretty ropey, to be honest. The wine is mostly mediocre, and the staff are mixed too. Some are friendly and keen to chat about the wine, others seem to view you as an irritant. During our visit we tasted a wine that was was really, really badly corked and the girl basically told us we were stupid for thinking that the 'vegetal' character of the Shiraz was a problem (vegetal shiraz.. riight.)

Another bizarre aspect of the tour is that halfway through you're transported into an electric blue bar where you get a free gin cocktail. Yeah, ideal for a wine tasting.

The second visit was more successful - a group of us were actually accompanied through the tour by a personal guide, who was enthusiastic and knowledgeable. The wine was better quality, too. That was followed by a meal for about twenty in the Cantina. Reasonable food in a nice airy venue, with good beer and wine. I can't comment on value for money since it was a pre-paid thing.

A mixed bag - splash out on the guided tour and you'll have a good time. Limit yourself to the self-guided tour and you'll probably feel a bit short changed.