Platinum · A One-Day Wine Course

Fine Wine & Food Pairing Course

Where great wines meet a tasting menu – and you leave understanding how to successfully recreate the pairings you love at home.

Food and wine pairing course in London: The Platinum Fine Wine & Food Pairing Course is a 4–4.5-hour fine wine tasting 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. Guests taste fine wines paired with a five-course degustation menu. Led by Masters of Wine, Master Sommeliers and WSET Diploma holders, the course covers the Systematic Approach to Tasting, how to judge quality, ageing potential and value, how to spot wine faults, the essentials of wine investment and storage, and how to match wine with food and navigate restaurant wine lists. Suitable for all levels, from beginners to advanced, with gift vouchers available. 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

9–10 fine wines

Five-course wine and food matching tasting menu

Venues

Central London venues including The Punch Bowl, Mayfair

Level

Beginners to advanced

Price

From £279 per person

Welcome to The Platinum Fine Wine & Food Pairing Experience

Imagine your favourite dinner party made extraordinary: exceptional wines, a tasting menu designed to bring out the best in every pairing, lively conversation and a tutor who reveals why the combinations work so beautifully. At our flagship Platinum Fine Wine & Food Pairing Experience, you’ll discover the pairings you love – and learn how to recreate them at home.

We go far beyond “white wine with chicken”. You’ll learn to read a dish – its sauce, ingredients and cooking method – and understand how each can shape a pairing. Some combinations will surprise you. Between courses, explore how fine wines are assessed, what underpins quality and ageing potential, and the principles of storing and investing in fine wine. Practical pairing guidance runs throughout, so you’ll leave understanding why certain matches delight you – and how to recreate them at home, plan a menu for friends or choose wines with confidence for a business dinner.

What will I learn during the Platinum Fine Wine & Food Pairing Course?

The tasting menu

A five-course tasting menu with fine wines chosen to partner each course. Some pairings may be classic, while others may tantalise and surprise you.

The Systematic Approach to Tasting

Learn the internationally recognised Systematic Approach to Wine Tasting, then put it into practice as you discover which wines are best enjoyed young, which reward time to mature, and how the right food pairing can bring out their character.

Value for money

Learn to judge quality and ageing potential, and find value for money at any price point.

Spot the faulty wine

Recognise the common wine faults, including corked wine, and know what to do about them.

Fine wine investment and storage

The essentials of fine wine investment, and how to store your bottles so they age gracefully.

Practical pairing tips

Practical wine and food pairing tips you can use at home, when entertaining friends or at a business dinner.

How your day unfolds

Arrive and meet your tutor

Arrive and meet your tutor and fellow guests.

An introduction to tasting

Your tutor introduces the Systematic Approach to Wine Tasting.

Fine wines from around the world

From a sparkling aperitif to a golden wine with dessert or a glass of Port with cheese, each wine is chosen with its plate in mind, and the secrets behind every pairing unfold as you taste.

Wine and food matching tasting menu

Your five-course tasting menu, with wines chosen for every dish. Compare the pairings, pick your favourites and learn the rules behind why they work.

Fine wine investment and storage

The essentials of fine wine investment, and how to store your wines at home.

What Our Guests Say

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes the Platinum Experience different?

It’s our flagship course: fine wines of real character, a wine and food pairing tasting menu, and the know-how to put the two together yourself – plus how to store fine wine and the essentials of fine wine investment.

How many wines will I taste and what styles are they?

You will be tasting 9–10 premium wines during the day, across a wide range of styles, grape varieties and regions. There will be a combination of white, red and sparkling wines from all over the world for you to taste and delve deeper into.

What food is included and how does it tie into the course?

The Platinum Fine Wine & Food Pairing Course includes a five-course wine and food matching tasting menu, matched with the wines you will be tasting during the course. Here, the intent is to showcase the best ways to pair different wine styles with various food offerings, ensuring you know the best tips and tricks to do your own wine and food pairings after the course.

What are the basic rules of food and wine pairing?

Start simple: match weight and intensity.

Light dishes (like salads or fish) work best with lighter wines, while richer dishes (like roast meats or creamy sauces) suit fuller-bodied styles.

Acidity in wine cuts through fat beautifully—think a crisp white with something buttery—while a touch of sweetness can soften spicy food.

Tannins in red wine pair well with protein, helping wines feel smoother.

And above all, trust your palate—if it tastes good to you, it’s the right match.

Will I learn how to assess fine wine quality?

Absolutely. During the course, you will be guided through the Systematic Approach to Wine Tasting.

We will start by looking at the wine: its colour and clarity can give clues about age and style. Then smell – take a moment to identify aromas and how intense or complex they are.

When focusing on the palate, feel for balance (do acidity, fruit, tannin and alcohol feel in harmony?), length (how long the flavours linger), and complexity (how many layers you can find).

Fine wines tend to be balanced, expressive, and leave a lasting impression.

Does the course cover wine investment and storage?

Absolutely. During the course we will touch on wine investment and storage, in a clear and practical way. We introduce the key ideas behind investing—what makes certain wines age-worthy, why provenance matters, and which regions and styles tend to hold long-term value. We also cover the essentials of storage, because even the best wine needs the right conditions. You’ll learn how to keep bottles cool, stable, and protected from light and temperature swings so they can develop properly over time.

Where does the Platinum Fine Wine & Food Pairing Course take place?

The Platinum Fine Wine & Food Pairing Course 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.

How much does the Platinum Fine Wine & Food Pairing Course cost?

The course costs £279 per person, includes a five-course wine and food matching tasting menu, and takes place over 4–4.5 hours.

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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