An Adventurer Tasting

The Red Wine Tasting

Taste a range of red wines from key regions side by side and see how grape variety, tannin, acidity and ageing shape flavour and texture. We’ll show you why some reds feel smooth and others have more grip; which wines are best enjoyed young and which bottles deserve time in your cellar.

By the end, you’ll know what you enjoy and how to choose reds to suit the moment — whether you’re drinking a glass on its own or matching it with your favourite dish.

An Adventurer Tasting

By the end, you’ll know what you enjoy and how to choose reds to suit the moment — whether you’re drinking a glass on its own or matching it with your favourite dish.

The Red Wine Tasting is a 2-hour red wine tasting in London with The London Wine Academy, 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. You taste red wines from key regions side by side, with a two-course menu. Sample reds include Bordeaux, Burgundy and the Rhône; Sangiovese, Nebbiolo and Barbera from Italy; Tempranillo and Garnacha from Spain; and Shiraz, Zinfandel and Pinotage from the New World. Led by Masters of Wine, Master Sommeliers and WSET Diploma holders, the tasting covers the Systematic Approach to Tasting, how tannin, acidity and oak shape a red wine, which wines to drink now and which to keep, and how red wine works with food. Suitable for beginners, it costs £139 per person, and gift vouchers are available. The London Wine Academy was shortlisted as 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

2 hours

Wines

6 red wines

Two-course menu

Venue

The Punch Bowl, Mayfair

Level

Beginners

Price

From £139 per person

Welcome to the Red Wine Tasting

Understand the key differences between red wines through a guided tasting of classic styles.

Red wine tasting in London at The London Wine Academy introduces you to classic styles from renowned regions and the factors that shape their character. Over two hours, you’ll taste blind and learn to assess each wine using the internationally recognised Systematic Approach to Tasting, the standardised tool used to evaluate wines around the world.

You’ll form your own opinions before sharing observations with the group and revealing each wine. A two-course meal is included, with practical discussion of how red wine and food work together.

Why is tasting red wine harder?

More going on in the glass

Tannin, acidity, fruit aromas, alcohol, oak and maturity all influence a red wine’s character. Learning to recognise these elements helps explain why wines can taste so different, even when made from familiar grape varieties.

Structure and texture

Tannins give red wine its characteristic grip and texture, while acidity contributes freshness and balance. Oak ageing can introduce notes of vanilla, spice or smoke, depending on the wine and how it is made.

The effect of time

Ageing changes a red wine’s aromas, flavours and structure. Fresh fruit characteristics can develop into more savoury, earthy or complex notes, while tannins may soften over time. Understanding these changes helps you recognise which wines are best enjoyed young and which can benefit from further ageing.

Sample classic reds you’ll explore

France

Bordeaux

Burgundy

The Rhône

Italy

Sangiovese

Nebbiolo

Barbera

Spain

Tempranillo

Garnacha

New World

Shiraz

Zinfandel

Pinotage

From Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot to the elegance of Pinot Noir, the selection covers a range of classic red wine styles. Each wine is chosen to illustrate a particular style, region or winemaking technique, with examples from established European regions and the New World.

What will I learn during the Red Wine Tasting?

The Systematic Approach to Tasting

Learn how to assess wine using the internationally recognised Systematic Approach to Tasting, the standardised wine-tasting tool used around the world. It provides a structured framework for examining a wine’s appearance, aromas, flavours and structure before reaching your own conclusions.

Tasting blind

You taste without seeing the label or knowing the wine’s identity. This allows you to assess what is in the glass and form your own opinions before discussing your observations with the group and revealing each wine.

Tannin, acidity and oak

Learn to distinguish tannin from acidity, identify fruit characteristics and recognise the influence of oak ageing and maturity. These are key elements in understanding why red wines differ in style, texture and flavour.

Drink now or keep

Understand which wines are intended to be enjoyed young, with fresh fruit flavours, and which have the structure to develop further with age. You’ll learn what to look for when assessing a wine’s potential for ageing.

Red wine and food

Explore how food and wine work together, with practical advice on matching red wine styles to different dishes and ingredients. The two-course meal is included in the experience, with food pairing discussed during the session.

Find the styles you enjoy

There are no exams. The focus is on tasting, discussion and learning to recognise the characteristics you prefer. The teaching approach has been refined over more than 30 years, with an emphasis on practical knowledge you can use when choosing wine.

Your Red Wine Tasting agenda

Settle in

Meet your tutor and the other guests before the session begins.

An introduction to tasting

Your tutor explains the session format and introduces the Systematic Approach to Tasting, the tool you’ll use to assess each wine throughout the experience.

Explore classic red styles

Each wine is chosen to illustrate a particular style, region or winemaking technique. You taste first, using the internationally recognised Systematic Approach to Tasting to assess what’s in the glass and form your own opinions. You then share observations with the group before the wines are revealed.

Food and wine

A two-course meal is incorporated into the session, with discussion of how different food and wine combinations work together.

Knowledge to take home

Leave with a clearer understanding of classic red wine styles, the factors that shape their character and the differences to look for when choosing your next bottle.

What Our Guests Say

Red Wine Tasting in London – frequently asked questions

Where can I find wine tastings in London?

The London Wine Academy offers wine tastings at venues across London. Our red wine tasting in London focuses on classic red wine styles, blind tasting and the principles of wine assessment, with a two-course meal included. Check the course listings for available dates and venues.

What is the best-tasting red wine in the UK?

There is no single red wine that everyone will consider the best. Some people prefer the structure and depth of Bordeaux, others the elegance of Burgundy Pinot Noir, the savoury character of Italian Sangiovese or the ripe fruit of Australian Shiraz. Comparing styles and understanding their differences is a useful way to identify your own preferences.

Is this red wine class suitable for beginners?

Yes. The session introduces the internationally recognised Systematic Approach to Tasting and explains how to assess a wine’s appearance, aromas, flavours and structure. You do not need previous wine knowledge to take part.

What is the difference between a red wine class and a red wine course?

A class typically focuses on a particular subject or tasting, while a course may cover a broader programme of wine education. This two-hour experience combines guided tasting, discussion and practical learning about classic red wine styles.

Can I book a wine tasting in London for two?

You can book places for two people on an available date, subject to availability. The tasting offers an opportunity to compare observations, discuss the wines and share the experience with a partner or friend.

What makes this a luxury wine tasting in London?

The experience combines a curated selection of red wines, structured wine education and a two-course meal at a London venue. The emphasis is on understanding the wines in the glass, discussing their characteristics and learning about the regions and techniques behind them.

Do you offer wine and cheese tasting in London?

Yes. The Red Wine Tasting in London includes a two-course meal, with cheese served as the second course. The tasting also explores how food and wine work together, giving you the opportunity to consider how different red wine styles pair with cheese.

Is this a fun wine tasting in London?

The session combines blind tasting, group discussion and a meal, making it a sociable way to learn about red wine. You form your own opinions before the wines are revealed, then compare your observations with those of the group.

How long does the Red Wine Tasting last?

The experience lasts two hours. Please check your chosen date for the start time and venue details.

Book your Red Wine Tasting

Compare classic red wine styles, learn to assess the wine in your glass and explore how region, grape variety and winemaking influence what you taste. Choose an available date to book your place at The London Wine Academy.

Explore More at The London Wine Academy

Enjoyed your tasting? Here’s where to go next.

Tagged brooks mews, duke of sussex, windmill