Created by The London Wine Academy in 2013
The Original Sensory Wine Tasting
Your senses know more about wine than you think. Put them to the test in 90 playful minutes of sensory challenges, contrasting wines and plenty of surprises.
Created by The London Wine Academy in 2013
Your senses know more about wine than you think. Put them to the test in 90 playful minutes of sensory challenges, contrasting wines and plenty of surprises.
Sensory wine tasting in London: The Sensory Wine Tasting for Beginners is a 90-minute Saturday late-afternoon class created in 2013 by The London Wine Academy, an independent wine school founded in 1993 that has taught more than 50,000 students. It is one of The Adventurer Tastings, alongside The Red Wine Tasting and The White Wine Tasting. The school is rated 4.7 by guests on Google and verified as a Top Rated Wine Educator 2026 by Trustindex. Each tasting includes canapés, cheese and charcuterie. Led by Masters of Wine, Master Sommeliers and WSET Diploma holders, it combines interactive sensory challenges with an introduction to the Systematic Approach used by the wine trade, showing how food changes the taste of wine, how to describe aromas and flavours, and how to discover what you like and why. Suitable for beginners, with gift vouchers available. The London Wine Academy was a finalist for the International Wine Challenge (IWC) Wine Educator / Communicator of the Year 2026.
Since 1993
Over 30 years teaching wine in London
Expert Tutors
Led by Masters of Wine, Master Sommeliers and WSET Diploma holders
IWC 2026 Finalist
Wine Educator / Communicator of the Year
50,000+
Students taught across three decades
At a Glance
Duration
Around 1.5 hours, late afternoon
Wines
6 wines
Menu
Canapés, cheese and charcuterie
Venues
Hand-picked central London venues
Level
Beginners, no wine knowledge needed
Price
From £139 per person
One of The Adventurer Tastings
Welcome to The Sensory Wine Tasting for Beginners
Bring your curiosity; we’ll bring the wine, the canapés, cheese and charcuterie, and a few tricks up our sleeve.
Most of us make up our minds about a wine before the first sip. For 90 lively minutes, your senses get their chance to prove you wrong. Expect laughter, lively debate and a far clearer sense of the wines you love.
Why guests love it
Surprises in store
Playful sensory challenges designed to catch you out, with every detail kept firmly under wraps.
Saturday, sorted
Wrapped up around six, leaving you free for an early dinner and the rest of your evening.
Better together
Come as a couple or with friends, or arrive solo and share the fun with fellow guests.
Sample discoveries in every glass
Fruit or flowers, crisp or rich, silky or grippy: learn to read the clues and find the words for what you’re tasting.
Contrasting wines make every difference easy to spot.
What will I learn during the Sensory Wine Tasting?
Trust your own palate
Learn to read the signals from your nose and palate, then back your own judgement with conviction.
The Systematic Approach
A taste of the method the wine trade uses, made clear enough to use on any wine you meet.
A language for flavour
Find the words for the aromas and flavours you notice, so you recognise them next time.
Food changes everything
See how a canapé or a bite of cheese can transform the wine in your glass.
What you like and why
Leave knowing the styles you love, so choosing a bottle becomes a pleasure rather than a gamble.
Agenda
- Start times may vary – please check your chosen date
- Allow around 90 minutes in total, including 15 minutes to arrive and settle in
Welcome and settle in
Find your seat, meet your tutor and say hello to fellow guests.
The Systematic Approach
A lively introduction to the way wine professionals taste.
Senses on trial
Contrasting wines and playful sensory challenges, with a few things you won’t see coming.
Food meets wine
Canapés, cheese and charcuterie arrive to show how food changes each wine.
Your favourites
Crown your favourites and compare notes before heading off into your evening.
Gift Vouchers
Give The Adventurer Tastings
One gift voucher, three ways to enjoy it: The Sensory Wine Tasting for Beginners, The Red Wine Tasting or The White Wine Tasting, chosen by the lucky recipient.
- Perfect for couples and friends
- Ideal for birthdays and Christmas
- Sent instantly by email
- Choice of three Adventurer Tastings
What Our Guests Say
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need any wine knowledge?
None at all. This tasting is designed with beginners in mind, and every guest starts on a level playing field, whatever they already know.
How long does the Sensory Wine Tasting last?
Allow around 90 minutes: 15 minutes to arrive and settle in, then 75 minutes of tasting on a Saturday late afternoon, so you finish in good time for an early dinner. Start times vary, so please check your chosen date.
Where does the Sensory Wine Tasting take place?
The Sensory Wine Tasting takes place at our partner venues in central London. Venues vary depending on the date of the experience – confirmed venues are available on our calendar.
What food is included?
Canapés, cheese and charcuterie come with the wines, and part of the fun is discovering how each bite changes the wine.
Is it a good choice for couples and friends?
Absolutely. Sharing the surprises is half the fun, and couples and friends love comparing notes as they go.
Can I come on my own?
Of course. Guests on their own are very welcome, and the sociable format makes it easy to get chatting with fellow wine lovers.
Can I give the Sensory Wine Tasting as a gift?
Yes. It’s one of The Adventurer Tastings, so an Adventurer gift voucher lets the recipient choose this tasting, The Red Wine Tasting or The White Wine Tasting. Vouchers are sent by email.
How is it different from the Red and White Wine Tastings?
All three are Adventurer Tastings at the same price. The Red and White Wine Tastings run for around two hours with a two-course menu and explore the grape varieties behind each style. The Original Sensory Wine Tasting is shorter and more playful, built around your senses and how food changes wine.
How much does the Sensory Wine Tasting cost?
£139 per person, including the wines, canapés, cheese and charcuterie. A gift voucher for two is £278.
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