Wine Tasting Bristol & Bath:

An Introduction to Wine - One Day Course

Learn about the world of wine and change the way you think about it forever in our famously fun and eye-opening introduction to wine course.

This course is specially geared to broaden wine knowledge, boost your confidence, and most importantly, increase the enjoyment of wine over an interactive and action-packed day as part of a small group.

Whether you’re a curious new convert to wine or have years of happy quaffing under your belt, this course is suitable for anyone and everyone who enjoys wine and wants to learn more, with no previous experience necessary.

From looking at the key grape varieties, production techniques and the styles they produce, to food pairing ideas and to how to navigate the wine aisles and find the best value, you'll explore new ideas and perhaps even challenge some old ones in a relaxed, engaging and practical way.

Starting the day with an introduction to wine tasting and jargon-busting, through an action-packed itinerary, you'll leave this course with increased wine knowledge and confidence that we hope will inspire you to try new interesting wines and to make better-informed interesting buying decisions in future.

Over the day the course will include an introduction on: 

• how to taste and assess wine quality

• the classic grape varieties; major wine-producing regions and countries

• the impact of climate and production techniques on style

• how to spot a fault

• how to understand wine labels & select wine more confidently

• sparkling wine from around the world

• food & wine matching principles

• ageing potential; storage and service

  and plenty more besides...

Course Itinerary

• 10.30am - Welcome and Introduction to The Day

• 10.45 am - An Intro to Champagne & Sparkling Wines of the World & Rose Wines

• 11.15am - White Wines of The World - Part 1

• 12pm - Break

• 12.15pm - White Wines of The World - Part 2

• 1 pm - LUNCH

• 2pm - Red Wines of The World - Part 1

• 3pm Break

• 3.10pm Red Wines of The World - Part 2 / An Intro to Sweet and Fortified Wine

• 3.50pm - Summary and Q&A’s

• 4.00pm - Finish

WHAT OUR CUSTOMERS SAY ABOUT THIS COURSE...

"I'd always viewed wine tastings as fairly stuffy, pretentious affairs - where I was made to feel out of my depth. My Bristol Wine School experience was completely different. Our host for the day was approachable, knowledgeable, friendly and enthusiastic. From the outset, it was clear that the course catered for all. The small group atmosphere was relaxed and meant that we were free to ask questions and get a real, broad understanding of the different wines and where they came from... I will definitely be recommending this to friends!" - Melissa Stewart

"Fab day yesterday on the Introduction to Wine Course. Educational and entertaining. Lots of fun will be back again, would highly recommend!" - Julia Godin

"Some much deserved and extremely positive feedback on the excellent one-day wine tasting course at Great Western Wine. Our tutor’s natural style was engaging, informative, enthusiastic and infectious (in a great way). The pace of the day was just right. Samples were generous, opinions were honest, and the food matching was particularly well planned and thought through. All in all, we had great fun, tasted some fantastic wines all in the company of like-minded individuals and a real expert - thank you!" - Georgina & Will Driver

THIS COURSE MAKES A PERFECT GIFT

You'll be given an option to select your purchase as a gift during your online booking and choose a gift certificate by email or post. Should the date you book be unsuitable, your guest can transfer to another date provided we receive 10 working days notice.

Course Venues

Riverstation, Bristol

The Grove, Bristol BS1 4RB

Located on Bristol’s iconic harbourside, Riverstation, with its stunning terrace, balcony and unrivalled views of the river, can only be described as one of the best alfresco dining restaurants Bristol has to offer.  

The seasonally changing restaurant menu offers fresh and inspiring dishes, whilst the bar downstairs creates exceptional brunches alongside a great selection of English classics and small plates to share. Expect a warm welcome, professional service and relaxed atmosphere.

Perfectly positioned between Bristol Temple Meads station and Millennium Square, the city centre is just a 5-10 minute walk away. There is a pay and display car park within a few meters walk and a taxi can be booked by us for your onward journey.  Bristol ferries will dock at Riverstation’s pontoon on request and can be picked up from many points along the river.

Course Tutor

Bristol Wine School is run by Tristan Darby, who has certified wine knowledge and 20 years experience in the catering, hospitality and wine trade. He is the founder of Bristol Wine School and also runs courses at award-winning wine merchant Great Western Wine in Bath. 

Tristan is the drinks columnist for The Bristol Magazine and The Bath Magazine, he trains wine and catering professionals, consults, works with cookery schools, hosts wine dinners and events with some of the region's top chefs and is a judge for Bristol Good Food awards.

As a former professional actor and singer Tristan takes every opportunity to entertain and add theatre to his events. Passionate that world of wine and spirits shouldn't be a pretentious and elitist he has earned a great reputation for imparting knowledge in an engaging, un-stuffy, non-patronising and approachable way. He'll answer questions as you go and hopes to give you the confidence and tools you'll need to break habits, expand horizons, and choose better wine.