6 Week Level 1 introductory wine tasting course

This course will give you an excellent basic knowledge of the main grape varieties and benchmark styles from around the world.

We teach you how to taste wine professionally and give you the tools to fully understand the structure and nuances of any wines that you taste.The course will impart the knowledge necessary for you to break free from your wine rut and will introduce you to new and exciting styles.

Our tutors will pass on insider tips to help you navigate the pitfalls of buying wine in shops or restaurants giving you more confidence when entertaining clients or friends. After only six weeks, you'll be able to talk, taste and spit like a professional!

These structured classes follow the systematic approach to wine tasting and cover all the main grape varieties, styles and regions of the Old and New World. Wines are tasted “blind” or unseen so that you learn to judge the quality of a wine on merit, without any preconceptions. You will taste and discuss six different wines each week. Grapes, regions, production methods, ageing potential, food matching, storage conditions, wine faults and other important issues will be covered.

The Syllabus

Week 1 - Introduction to wine tasting

How to taste wine – Using carefully selected wines, which demonstrate the key elements of all wines (fruit, sweetness, acidity, tannin, alcohol) , we teach you the fundamental theory behind the systematic approach.

Week 2 - Chardonnay from around the World

Love it or loathe it, we will show you benchmark styles from around the planet of the world’s most popular white grape. We will show you that there is life after Jacobs Creek!

Week 3 - ABC, "Anything but Chardonnay" (other white grapes)

White grapes belong to one of two different families: neutral and aromatic. We will show you whites with huge personality from around the world

Week 4 - Bordeaux styles around the world (Cabernet/Merlot wines)

Bordeaux used to be unchallenged as the finest region for red in the world. We teach you its history and also discuss its many imitators from around the globe

Week 5 - Other red grapes (Syrah, Pinot Noir, Sangiovese etc...)

While the Bordeaux blends are international, Spain and Italy grow varieties that grow nowhere else in the world. We will teach you the wonders of Tempranillo, Sangiovese plus Pinot Noir, Grenache, Syrah, Zinfandel and more

Week 6 - Sparkling Wine & Champagne

Champagne is probably the most famous wine in the world, but does it really live up to the hype. We show you other wines made by the same ‘traditional method’, but also other exciting sparkling wines which aren’t trying to be Champagne at all.

6 wines are tasted per session

Venue:

60 Cannon Street

60 Cannon Street, EC4N 6NP

With over a decade of experience, the London Wine Academy offers a unique approach to wine education. The unparalleled expertise of our small team allied to our friendly, informal style really does set us apart from the competition. All our courses and events are intended and designed to be enjoyable as well as informative.

Our educators are the very best in their field and include Masters of Wine, Buyers and top Sommeliers. We understand that expertise is not everything and only use passionate tutors who have the ability to communicate and pass on knowledge, whatever your level.