A Voyager Masterclass
The Champagne & Sparkling Wine Masterclass
If you have ever been lost in a conversation about Champagne, Cava or Cap Classique, this Champagne & Sparkling Wine Masterclass is for you.
A Voyager Masterclass
If you have ever been lost in a conversation about Champagne, Cava or Cap Classique, this Champagne & Sparkling Wine Masterclass is for you.
The Champagne & Sparkling Wine Masterclass is a 2.5-hour Champagne tasting in London with The London Wine Academy, priced at £189 per person. Established in 1993, we have welcomed over 50,000 students to our independent courses. You’ll taste Champagne alongside Prosecco, Cava, Crémant and English sparkling wine in a fun blind tasting, with canapés and small plates chosen to complement the wines, learning what makes each style different and which foods bring out the best in it. Your tutor – Master of Wine–trained, a WSET Diploma holder or a Master Sommelier – covers production methods, tasting techniques and the details that matter when you’re buying or ordering fizz. It’s one of our most popular experiences, whether for a celebration, a gift or simply something you’ve been meaning to do.
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
2.5 hours
Wines
8 wines
Menu
Canapés and small plates chosen to complement the wines
Venue
The Punch Bowl, Mayfair
Level
Beginners/intermediate
Price
From £189 per person
Save with a 3 or 4 masterclass bundle
Welcome to the Champagne & Sparkling Wine Masterclass
Champagne, Crémant, Cava, English fizz and more – tasted blind and matched with food
Champagne and sparkling wine are among the most varied, and most misunderstood, wines in the world. Beyond Champagne, there are dozens of styles made across Europe and the New World, each with its own grapes, methods and flavours. Most people stick to one or two familiar names. This masterclass is designed to change that.
Our Champagne tasting in London takes you through the styles in one session, tasted blind and explained clearly, with canapés and small plates chosen to complement the wines. Matching fizz with food is trickier than most people think – smoked salmon, for one, is not the perfect partner for Champagne that everyone assumes. You will come away knowing not just what you enjoyed, but why, and ready to trust your own palate.
Not everything that sparkles is Champagne. Whether you’ve been searching for a Champagne class or a sparkling wine tasting in London, this masterclass lets you taste the great styles side by side, uncover where the real quality and value lie, find your personal favourites and learn exactly when each one comes into its own.
Whether you’re already a Champagne devotee or simply curious about what else is out there, you’re in good company.
How the session works
A warm welcome
Meet your tutor and fellow guests before the tasting begins.
A blind tasting with a difference
Eight wines, no labels and no preconceived ideas. Our tutors guide you with the Systematic Approach to Tasting, a practical framework for assessing any wine, not just the ones in your glass today.
Canapés and small plates to complement the wines
Enjoy canapés and small plates alongside the wines and explore how different flavours and textures can transform a pairing. Some combinations work beautifully. Others might surprise you.
Sample styles to discover
And more, depending on the session.
What will I learn during the Champagne & Sparkling Wine Masterclass?
Our Champagne masterclass goes beyond the famous names to explore the diversity of sparkling wine, helping you understand what you’re drinking and make better choices.
Discover the styles
Explore Champagne, Crémant, Cava, Prosecco, English sparkling wine, Cap Classique and more.
Understand the bubbles
Learn how the Traditional Method, Charmat Method and other production techniques influence flavour, texture and quality.
Compare wines blind
Discover which styles you genuinely prefer, without being influenced by the label or price.
Recognise quality and value
Learn what makes a sparkling wine worth its price and where to find excellent alternatives to Champagne.
Discover which foods suit each style
Understand why some combinations work brilliantly while others may disappoint.
Choose with confidence
Know what to look for when buying sparkling wine, ordering in a restaurant or selecting a bottle for a special occasion.
Champagne & Sparkling Wine Agenda
- Start times vary – please check your chosen date
- Please arrive 5–10 minutes before the start of your class
On arrival
Be welcomed by The London Wine Academy and meet the rest of the group.
Introduction
Your tutor introduces the Systematic Approach to Tasting and the key production methods, including the Traditional Method and Charmat Method.
The main tasting
Explore eight wines blind, comparing styles, production methods, quality and value.
Canapés and small plates to complement the wines
Enjoy canapés and small plates alongside the wines and discover which combinations work best, with time for discussion and questions.
Close
Your tutor rounds up with practical guidance you can use straight away – choosing wine in a shop, ordering in a restaurant or hosting at home.
Special Offer Bundles
Voyager Masterclass Bundles
Perfect for those ready to explore the world’s great wine countries in more depth. Choose any three or four of the masterclasses below, including our seasonal masterclasses when they run, and find the ones you’ll fall in love with.
What Our Guests Say
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Champagne the same as sparkling wine?
Not quite. All Champagne is sparkling wine, but not all sparkling wine is Champagne. Champagne must come from the Champagne region in France and follow strict production rules.
What sparkling wine styles will be covered?
Sample styles include Champagne and vintage Champagne, English sparkling wine, Crémant from regions such as the Loire, Alsace, Burgundy and Bordeaux, Cava, Prosecco, Cap Classique from South Africa and New World sparkling wine. The exact line-up changes from session to session.
What is English Sparkling Wine & why is it exciting?
English Sparkling Wine is made using the same traditional method as Champagne, and the chalk soils of southern England share similarities with the Champagne region. It has gained international recognition in recent years and is one of the most exciting emerging wine styles in the world.
What is the difference between Champagne, Prosecco and Cava?
Champagne is French and made using the Traditional Method, where bubbles form in the bottle, creating complexity and fine mousse.
Prosecco is Italian, typically made using the Charmat Method, producing a lighter, fruit-forward style.
Cava is Spanish and also uses the Traditional Method, but with its own native grape varieties.
Each reflects a different approach to sparkling winemaking, from method to flavour profile.
All three are tasted and compared during the experience.
How are the bubbles in sparkling wine created?
Bubbles in sparkling wine are created through a second fermentation, where yeast converts sugar into alcohol and carbon dioxide (CO₂).
Because this happens in a sealed environment, the CO₂ cannot escape and dissolves into the wine.
When the bottle is opened, the pressure is released and the dissolved gas forms bubbles.
What food is included?
A selection of canapés and small plates is served, chosen to show how Champagne and sparkling wine work with food. Your tutor explains which wine goes with which canapé, and why.
Is this suitable for a hen party or celebration?
Absolutely, and we’d love to make it one to remember. Get in touch and we’ll create a private Champagne and sparkling wine tasting just for your hen party or celebration, with canapés and small plates to match.
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