A Complete Guide to Wine Tasting in London

Where to Go, What to Expect, and How to Book

London has become one of Europe’s most exciting wine destinations, offering everything from historic candlelit cellars to modern sustainable wine bars. Whether you’re completely new to wine or looking to deepen your knowledge, this guide will help you navigate the city’s wine scene with practical information on where to go, how much to budget, and what to expect.

Understanding Your Options: Types of Wine Tasting Experiences

Before diving into specific venues, it’s helpful to understand the different types of wine tasting experiences available in London and which might suit you best.

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Casual Wine Bar Visits (From £6-15 per glass)

The simplest way to start exploring wine is by visiting one of London’s excellent wine bars. You can drop in without booking, order wine by the glass, and sample different styles at your own pace.

Best for: Complete beginners, casual evenings out, trying wines before buying bottles

What to expect: Knowledgeable staff who can recommend wines based on your preferences, small plates to share, relaxed atmosphere

Structured Wine Tastings (From £11-45 per person)

These are hosted events where you’ll taste a selection of wines with guidance from an expert. Humble Grape offers wine tasting events starting from £11 per person with a maximum capacity of 20 people.

Best for: Learning tasting techniques, comparing wines side-by-side, meeting other wine enthusiasts

What to expect: 5-8 wines to taste, tasting notes provided, informal discussion and questions encouraged, light snacks often included

One-Day Wine Courses (From £119)

Full-day wine tasting courses are available at London and Berkshire venues from £119, including lunch and tasting 15 different wines.

Best for: Those wanting comprehensive wine knowledge in one day, special occasions, wine enthusiast gifts

What to expect: Morning and afternoon sessions, lunch break, comprehensive tasting notes, practical exercises

WSET Certification Courses

The Wine & Spirit Education Trust offers internationally recognized qualifications. Courses range from Level 1 through to the advanced Diploma.

Best for: Serious wine enthusiasts, industry professionals, those wanting formal qualifications

What to expect: Multi-week commitment, study materials, tastings focused on systematic wine assessment, written and practical exams

Festival-Style Wine Events (From £42-60)

Large walk-around events where dozens or hundreds of wines are available to taste.

Best for: Exploring many wines quickly, discovering new favorites, pre-holiday shopping

What to expect: Standing/walking format, crowded but energetic atmosphere, opportunity to speak with importers and producers

Gordon’s Wine Bar – Historic Experience

Location: 47 Villiers Street, Embankment, WC2N 6NE

Gordon’s Wine Bar, established in 1890, is London’s oldest wine bar, featuring a vaulted candlelit cellar with old oak barrels filled with sherries and port.

What makes it special: The historic setting is unlike anywhere else in London. Walls covered in vintage photographs and newspaper clippings, candlelight, and wines served from the barrel create an unforgettable ambience.

Budget: £8-15 per glass, cheese boards from £12

Humble Grape – Sustainable Wine Focus

Locations: Six locations across London: Canary Wharf, Liverpool Street, Islington, Fleet Street, Battersea, and Clapham Common

Humble Grape specializes in sustainable wines with over 400 wines available, making them ideal for environmentally conscious wine lovers.

What makes it special: Humble Grape’s events are described as “no judgement zones” with casual conversation through each pour.

Wine tasting events: Events start from £11 per person with maximum capacity of 20 people.

Budget: £7-13 per glass, tasting events from £11, WSET courses from £200+

Davy’s Wine Vaults Greenwich – Educational Focus

Location: Greenwich, multiple locations across London

Davy’s combines wine retail with bars, cellars, and educational programs.

Tasting programs: Wine Discovery Tastings, Champagne Tastings, Producer Masterclasses & Dinners, Walk-Around Tastings

WSET courses: Davy’s Wine School offers complete WSET course programs.

Budget: Tastings from £25-60 depending on format and wines featured

Half Cut Market – Contemporary Natural Wine Bar

Location: Holloway, North London

Half Cut Market represents modern London wine culture with knowledgeable staff and a wine selection organized with playful labels.

What makes it special: The casual, unpretentious approach to natural and orange wines makes these sometimes-challenging styles accessible.

Budget: £8-14 per glass, small plates £5-12

Learning to Taste Wine Systematically

Visual examination: Hold your glass against a white background. Notice the color depth and clarity.

Aroma assessment: Swirl the wine gently to release aromatics. Identify broad categories first.

Taste analysis: Notice sweetness, acidity, tannin, alcohol, and body.

Finish evaluation: After swallowing, notice which flavors linger and how long they last.

Progressing Your Wine Journey

Month 1-3: Exploration phase – Visit 2-3 different wine bars, attend one introductory tasting

Month 4-6: Pattern recognition – Attend themed tastings, begin identifying regional characteristics

Month 7-12: Deepening knowledge – Consider WSET Level 1 course, attend producer masterclasses

Year 2+: Advanced exploration – WSET Level 2 or higher, vertical tastings, wine region visits

Do I need to know anything about wine before attending a tasting?

No. Introductory tastings assume no prior knowledge. Even WSET Level 1 courses start from scratch. The only requirement is interest in learning.

Should I spit or swallow?

Either is acceptable. Spitting allows you to taste more wines while remaining clear-headed. Swallowing is fine, especially at tastings with fewer wines.

What if I don’t like any of the wines?

Personal taste varies greatly. Disliking featured wines doesn’t indicate poor taste or knowledge. Identifying what you don’t enjoy is as valuable as discovering favorites.

Can I attend alone?

Absolutely. Many people attend wine tastings solo. It’s an excellent way to meet others who share your interest in wine.

Are wine tastings pretentious?

Quality venues create welcoming, educational atmospheres. While some people take wine extremely seriously, most participants just enjoy learning about something interesting.