The best wine tasting courses in London are not always built around an exam. Formal qualifications have their place, especially for those building a career in the wine trade. However, if you simply want to enjoy wine more, spend your money better and know what you are drinking, a different kind of course may be just what you need.
We have been running wine courses, tastings and masterclasses in London since 1993, which makes us one of the city’s longest-established independent wine schools. Here is what we think makes a course worth booking, and where to begin.
What makes a great wine course
Tutors who make it click – Ever loved a wine without knowing what makes it special? That’s where a great tutor comes in. Ours are Master of Wine–trained tutors, Master Sommeliers and WSET Diploma holders, and they’ll explain why it tastes the way it does, so you can find more like it.
Wine at its best, with food – Wine comes alive with food, which is why every course includes it, from canapés to degustation menus.
Skills you’ll use for life – Long after the last glass, you’ll be choosing better wine at any price, steering clear of the disappointing bottles and trusting your own palate.
New to wine? Start here
If you are new to wine, start with our beginners wine course in London. It is the course most of our guests begin with, and the one we recommend first.
The Premium Beginners Wine Course brings together a comprehensive selection of white and red wines from wine regions across the world. You compare and contrast them through guided tastings, with a three-course menu along the way. It runs for four to four and a half hours.
There is no exam and no homework. You leave knowing why you like what you like, how to read a wine list, and how to spot good value.
The early-bird ticket
If you can commit to a date at least six weeks ahead, our early-bird ticket gives you the same course, with the same three-course menu, for £30 less. The only condition is that early-bird places can’t be refunded, transferred or moved to another date. Plan early and it is the best-value way to start.
Red and white wine tastings
If you already know which colour you love, our Red Wine Tasting and White Wine Tasting give you a whole session on it. Each comes with a two-course menu. These are our most affordable courses, and a good introduction to how we teach.
Voyager Masterclasses
The Voyager Masterclasses take you on a journey through some of the world’s most exciting wine countries: France, Italy, Spain, South Africa and England, plus the Douro Valley, home of Port. The Champagne and sparkling wine masterclass looks at styles of sparkling wine rather than a single country. Each class comes with plates chosen to complement the wines. Some run only once or twice a year, so it is worth checking dates early.
Our flagship course
The Fine Wine & Food Pairing Course is all about wine and food pairing. Forget “chicken with white wine”: you learn to look at the sauce, the ingredients and the cooking method, and you come away knowing how to put a balanced menu together. It feels like a gastronomic dinner party, with some genuinely surprising pairings along the way. Beginners are welcome, but you will get the most from it after a beginners course or a few masterclasses.
Where to start
For most people, the path is simple: a One-Day Wine Course first, then the Voyager Masterclasses, then the Fine Wine & Food Pairing Course. Every course runs at one of our hand-picked venues across London, and you can browse everything on our wine courses page.
Buying for someone else? A wine tasting voucher lets them choose their own course and date.