Beginners · A One-Day Wine Course
Beginners Wine Course
Early-Bird Ticket
Beginners Wine Course London – Early-Bird Ticket
Our original beginners wine course, now an early-bird ticket: the same curriculum as our Premium Beginners Wine Course, for £30 less when you book at least six weeks ahead.
Early bird wine course in London: the Beginners Wine Course – Early-Bird Ticket (formerly the Classic Beginners Wine Course) gives you the same curriculum as the Premium Beginners Wine Course, lasting 4–4.5 hours. The London Wine Academy is an independent wine school established in 1993 that has welcomed over 50,000 students. The Academy is rated 4.7 by guests on Google and verified as a Top Rated Wine Educator 2026 by Trustindex. Guests taste a wide range of wine styles with a three-course menu. Courses are led by Masters of Wine, Master Sommeliers and WSET Diploma holders. Guests learn the Systematic Approach to Wine Tasting, what makes wines taste different, how grape variety, climate and winemaking influence flavour, how to recognise quality and how to choose wine in shops and restaurants. Level: beginners. Early-bird tickets must be booked at least six weeks ahead and cannot be changed or refunded. The London Wine Academy was a finalist for Wine Educator / Communicator of the Year 2026 at the International Wine Challenge (IWC) Industry Awards.
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
4–4.5 hours
Wines
10+ wines
Menu
Three-course menu
Venues
Central London venues including The Punch Bowl, Mayfair
Level
Beginners
Price
£199 per person (early-bird ticket)
Booking
Book at least six weeks ahead · no date changes, transfers or refunds
Welcome to the Beginners Wine Course
A clear introduction to wine, with practical guidance you can use in real life
If wine lists leave you reaching for the same familiar bottle, this is where to start. You’ll taste a wide range of styles, learn to recognise quality and trust your own palate, and discover what shapes flavour – and which wines you genuinely love. Everything is useful straight away, whether you’re choosing in a shop, ordering in a restaurant or entertaining at home.
Our original beginners course
For many years, the Classic Beginners Wine Course was how people first discovered The London Wine Academy. Today it is our early-bird ticket: the same curriculum as the Premium Beginners Wine Course, for £199 instead of £229, on selected dates when you book at least six weeks ahead. Because of the saving, early-bird tickets can’t be changed, transferred or refunded. If you’d like the freedom to move your date, choose the Premium Beginners Wine Course.
What will I learn on the Beginners Wine Course?
The International Systematic Approach to Wine Tasting
The professional framework used across the wine trade, taught in straightforward, practical language you can use long after the course is over. It’s a practical skill you can use whenever you choose a bottle.
Sparkling, white and red wines from key regions
Taste a selection of sparkling, white and red wines, exploring styles from key wine-growing regions around the world.
Wine and food
A three-course menu is woven into the session, with your tutor using the food to show why certain wines work with certain dishes.
Small, interactive classes
Classes are kept small and the format is interactive, not lecture-style. Your tutor will involve everyone and ask for your opinions. If you’re looking for wine classes for beginners, this gives you time to ask questions and join the discussion.
Choose wine with confidence
Discover what makes wines taste different and how to recognise quality, so you can trust your own palate when choosing wine in shops and restaurants.
A foundation to build on
Experience-led rather than exam-based, but with the same structure used by professionals – a solid foundation if you want to take your wine education further.
Your Beginners Wine Course agenda
- Start times vary by date, so please check your chosen session
- Arrive 5–10 minutes early to settle in and meet the other guests
Settle in
Your session begins with a glass of sparkling wine – time to meet the other guests before the tasting starts.
An introduction to tasting
Your tutor introduces the International Systematic Approach to Wine Tasting in clear, practical language.
Sparkling, whites and reds
Taste a selection of sparkling, white and red wines from key wine-growing regions around the world, with each wine chosen to illustrate a particular style, region or technique.
Three-course menu
A three-course menu is served during the tasting, with discussion of why certain wines work with certain dishes.
Knowledge to take home
Leave with a clearer sense of the styles you enjoy and a practical framework for spotting quality.
What Our Guests Say
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need any prior wine knowledge?
Not at all. Our beginner courses are designed to be friendly, practical and jargon-free, so they are ideal for anyone starting out or looking to build confidence.
Is the Classic Beginners Wine Course still available?
Yes. It is now our early-bird ticket: the same curriculum as the Premium Beginners Wine Course for £199, on selected dates, when you book at least six weeks ahead.
What is the best course for a complete beginner?
Both routes give you the same beginners curriculum. Choose the early-bird ticket if you can book at least six weeks ahead and are sure of your date. Choose the Premium Beginners Wine Course if you’d like the flexibility to change it.
Do you offer anything shorter than a full beginners’ course?
Yes. We also offer themed wine masterclasses as well as shorter white wine and red wine tasting experiences.
Are early-bird places available on every date?
No. Early-bird places are limited, available on selected dates only and offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Because of the reduced price, they are non-refundable and non-transferable, and dates can’t be changed.
How far in advance do I need to book an early-bird place?
Early-bird tickets can be booked up to six weeks before each class, subject to availability, and are valid only for the date booked.
How much cheaper is the early-bird ticket?
The early-bird ticket is £199 per person, £30 less than the Premium Beginners Wine Course at £229.
What price points are the wines?
Wines tasted are typically between £15 and £50 a bottle retail.
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Where this course is held
Our courses run in private rooms at hand-picked central London venues
Explore More at The London Wine Academy
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