Is this course suitable for complete beginners?

Absolutely. Our courses are designed to be approachable and jargon-free. Beginners are always welcome, and our more advanced masterclasses are perfect if you already have some experience.

What makes this course premium?

The Premium Beginners Course combines structured wine education with a relaxed, luxury experience — including a three- to four-course menu paired with wines throughout the session, at one of London's finest venue partners.

What is blind tasting and why is it used?

Blind tasting means you taste the wine without knowing what it is, helping you focus purely on flavour and structure rather than being influenced by the label or price. It's a professional technique used to train your palate objectively.

Will I learn how to read a restaurant wine list?

Yes — navigating restaurant wine lists is a key part of the course. Your tutor will share practical tips for spotting value and choosing the right bottle with confidence.

How do I know which wines to buy in a shop after the course?

By the end of the session you'll understand how grape variety, region, and vintage on the bottle affect flavour, giving you a practical framework for choosing wine in any shop or restaurant.

Will the course cover how to spot wine faults?

Yes — recognising common wine faults is part of the course content, so you'll know when a wine is corked or otherwise flawed and feel confident sending it back or returning it.

Does the course cover wine storage and investment?

This is not a focus for the Premium Beginners Wine Course. If you're interested in learning smart storage principles and simple investment basics, we highly recommend the Platinum Fine Wine Experience.

What food will be served and how does it tie into the course?

All our courses include food, whether that's a main course, tapas-style dishes, or a multi-course menu depending on the format. We can cater for most dietary requirements with advance notice. Please let us know at the time of booking.

Will both red and white wines be covered?

Yes — the session includes a selection of both white and red wines, giving you a well-rounded introduction to a range of styles.

What is the Systematic Approach to Tasting?

It's a structured method for evaluating wine using appearance, aroma, and palate. It's widely used by wine professionals and gives you a repeatable, reliable way to assess any wine.

How is this course different from the individual White or Red Wine Tastings?

The Premium Beginners Course is broader and more structured, covering both red and white wines alongside topics like wine faults, storage, restaurant wine lists, and quality assessment — making it a more complete introduction to wine.

What time should I arrive and where is the course held?

Please arrive 5–10 minutes before your session. Start times can vary by date, so check your chosen date when booking. Arriving late can also delay food service, so please allow plenty of time.

The Premium Beginners Wine Course

A relaxed, premium introduction to wine with expert guidance, blind tasting and a three-course lunch — designed to build real confidence.

Level

Beginners

Duration

4.15 hours

Location

The Punch Bowl, Mayfair

Duke of Sussex, Waterloo

Three- to Four-Course Menu

Price

From
£229

Rated 4.6 out of 5 – based on 82 Google reviews
Read our reviews on Google

Welcome to The Premium Beginners Wine Course

Ideal for anyone who wants a clear, enjoyable and well-structured introduction to wine, combining learning with a touch of luxury.

The Premium Beginners Wine Course is a 4-hour and 15-minute immersive wine experience in central London, run by The London Wine Academy — established in 1993, rated 4.6 on Google and trusted by over 50,000 students. At £229 per person, this is not an exam-style class. It’s an independent, experience-led introduction to wine for people who want to learn by tasting, not by textbook. You’ll taste more than 10 wines from France, Italy, Spain, New Zealand, South Africa and Argentina — all blind, so you focus on flavour rather than labels. Your tutor — holding a WSET Diploma, Master of Wine qualification or Master Sommelier certification — will walk you through professional tasting techniques in straightforward language, covering grape varieties, regions, food pairing and how to spot quality. The format is integrative and sociable, following an independently curated syllabus refined over three decades. A three-course lunch is included. The course runs at The Punch Bowl in Mayfair and The Duke of Richmond in Hackney.

What will I learn on this wine course?

You’ll explore wine in a clear, practical way. Every wine is tasted blind, helping you focus on flavour and structure rather than expectations. You’ll begin to recognise quality for yourself and identify the details that separate good wines from exceptional ones.

Your tutor will share professional tasting techniques using straightforward language that works in real situations — when you’re choosing wine or discussing it with others. You’ll explore how grape variety, climate, terroir and winemaking choices shape a wine’s style and character, and gain confidence in pairing wine with food.

By the end of the session, you’ll have a solid framework for judging, describing and enjoying wine with confidence. And above all, you’ll enjoy a relaxed, sociable experience that makes learning about wine genuinely fun.

Premium Beginners Wine Course Content

Understanding key wine styles
Classic grape varieties and where they thrive
How to recognise common wine faults
Smart storage and simple investment principles
Practical food and wine matching
Reading and choosing from restaurant wine lists
Key winemaking methods and why they matter
How to assess quality and ageing potential
Where to find value in both Old World and New World wines

Premium Beginners Wine Course Agenda

Start times may vary; please check your chosen date for the correct schedule. Please arrive 5–10 minutes early to settle in and meet the other guests before the class begins.

Your session combines a series of white and red wines with a relaxed three-course menu served throughout the class. Each dish is paired to highlight the styles explored, helping you understand how flavour, structure and food interact in a real, enjoyable way.

Along the way, you’ll learn the Systematic Approach to Tasting, explore tannins, oak and balance, and identify the styles that genuinely suit your palate. You’ll finish the day with stronger tasting skills, more confidence and a clearer sense of what to choose and why.

Frequently Asked Questions

Feature Venue

The Punch Bowl

Famously previously owned by Guy Richie and Madonna, The Punch Bowl is one of Mayfair’s most historic and celebrated pubs.

Feature Venue

The Duke of Sussex

The Duke of Sussex is a reflection of the needs of the local community - the food is simple and harks back to the days when the British Pub first came about.