The Classic Beginners Wine Course
If wine sometimes feels confusing, intimidating or harder to understand than it should be, this is the ideal place to start.
A clear, confidence-building introduction with practical guidance you can use in real life.
Level
Beginners
Duration
4 hours
Location
Duke of Sussex, Waterloo
Menu
Price
Early-Bird tickets from £199 per person
Welcome to The Classic Beginners Wine Course
A clear, confidence-building introduction to wine with practical guidance you can use in real life.
If you have ever felt overwhelmed by wine lists, intimidated by sommeliers or stuck choosing the same familiar bottles, you are not alone.
Many people come to us because they want to understand wine better but do not know where to begin. Our beginner experiences are designed to help you build confidence, discover new favourites and enjoy wine in a way that feels approachable, practical and genuinely enjoyable.
You will taste a range of wines blind, learn to recognise quality for yourself, and begin to understand the key factors that shape flavour. Everything you learn is designed to be immediately useful — whether you are choosing wine in a shop, ordering in a restaurant or entertaining at home.
What will I learn during the Beginners Wine Course?
You will be introduced to wine in a clear, engaging and confidence-building way, with guided blind tasting, practical explanation and straightforward teaching that makes sense in real life.
You will learn the Systematic Approach to Tasting in a clear, practical way, giving you a reliable framework for understanding wine more confidently. While our courses are designed to be enjoyable rather than exam-led, this structure forms the foundation of professional wine tasting and gives you a sound base to build on.
Blind tasting plays an important role throughout, helping you focus on flavour, structure and genuine quality rather than labels or assumptions.
You will also begin to recognise the styles you naturally enjoy, understand what makes wines taste different from one another, and gain straightforward guidance for choosing wine in shops and restaurants with greater confidence.
- how to taste wine in a clear and structured way
- what makes wines taste different from one another
- how grape variety, climate and winemaking influence flavour
- how to recognise quality more confidently
- how to identify the styles you naturally enjoy
- practical guidance for choosing wine in shops and restaurants
- simple and effective food and wine pairing principles
- a stronger understanding of how to taste, choose and enjoy wine with confidence
Our current recommended route for beginners
For many years, the Classic Beginners Wine Course was the route through which people first discovered The London Wine Academy.
Today, our most complete beginner experience is the Premium Beginners Wine Course. For those booking ahead, a limited number of early-bird places from £199 are released on selected dates, giving you access to this fuller beginner day at a lower entry price.
If you would like the most complete beginner experience, with a fuller lunch and a little more depth, this is the route we would usually recommend.
Your Beginners Course Agenda
Start times may vary; please check your chosen date for the correct schedule. Please arrive 5–10 minutes early to settle in before the class begins.
The Classic Beginners Wine Course moves at a clear, focused pace. You will begin with a short introduction before moving into a series of guided blind tastings designed to build confidence and sharpen your palate.
Across 9–11 wines, you will explore essential styles, understand what shapes flavour, and see how different grapes and regions compare. A two-course menu is served during the session to help bring simple, effective food and wine pairing to life.
You will leave with practical confidence, clearer preferences and a stronger understanding of how to taste and choose wine.
Looking for a shorter or different option?
Not everyone is looking for a full beginners’ day. If you would prefer something shorter, more focused or at a different price point, you may also enjoy one of our other beginner-friendly wine experiences.
Discover our Voyager Wine Masterclasses
A great choice if you would like a themed wine experience in a shorter format.
Our Adventurer White Wine Tastings
Ideal if you would like a more focused introduction through white wines.
Our Adventurer Red Wine Tastings
Perfect if you prefer reds and would like a shorter, practical tasting experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need any prior wine knowledge?
Not at all. Our beginner courses are designed to be approachable, 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?
Our beginners’ offering has evolved over time. Today, our main beginner day experience is the Premium Beginners Wine Course, with a limited number of early-bird places available on selected dates from £199 when booked in advance.
What is the best course for a complete beginner?
For most people, we recommend the Premium Beginners Wine Course. It offers the fullest and most complete introduction to wine in a clear, practical and beginner-friendly format.
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 are offered on a first-come, first-served basis.
How far in advance do I need to book an early-bird place?
What price points are the wines?
The Punch Bowl
