If you’re looking for something unique to do in London with a partner or friends, then you may want to consider one of the capital’s cheese and wine tasting experiences.
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For cheese and wine aficionados, there are few better culinary combinations in the world. But however much you may think you know about both, or either, there’s always something new to discover. In London, there are a number of organised group experiences that invite you to sample and savour a curated selection of cheeses and wines among like-minded folk in intimate settings. If this sounds like your kind of evening, check out our selection of London’s best cheese and wine tasting experiences below.
Cheese & Wine Tasting Discovery
This experience invites guests to enjoy a gastronomic adventure through Britain and France without leaving London. Hosted by former jazz pianist turned cheesemonger Ned Palmer at El Vino wine bar on London’s historic Fleet Street, you’ll receive a glass of champagne upon arrival before setting about tasting your way across different territories, sampling an enticing selection of eight artisanal cheeses together with expertly selected wine pairings, plus sourdough breads and fruit pâtés to snack on. Cheese highlights include mediaeval Roquefort, the most famous blue cheese from Southern France, and cheddar, which sprang up in an English town of the same name in the 12th century. During the tastings, your host will regale you with fascinating stories behind the various cheese flavours. £160 per couple.
Cheese & Wine Masterclass
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Learn how to taste wine like a pro during this Cheese & Wine Masterclass, hosted by an expert sommelier, at Bobo Social, a funky restaurant in Fitzrovia, Central London. You’ll be welcomed with a glass of seasonal bubbles as you settle into the chic dining destination, where you’ll have the chance to savour five different wines, all different in style, region, and grape. These will each be paired with a selection of specially-chosen cheeses from Carron Lodge, as you embark on a mouth-watering voyage to discover what makes the perfect wine and cheese pairing. During the experience, your sommelier will be on hand to answer any of your wine-related questions. £45 per person.
Wine Discovery Night With Cheese And Charcuterie
Embark on a journey that takes you around the world with every sip during this tasting experience in upscale west London. Led by an in-house expert at Jeroboams, a prestigious Knightsbridge wine store, you’ll be guided through the different grape varieties, countries and producers that made the wines you’re tasting come to life. During the experience, you’ll taste both classic and unfamiliar wines hand-picked from some of the store’s favourite producers around the globe. To complement the wines, you’ll be treated to a cheese and charcuterie platter provided by Jeroboams’ Holland Park delicatessen and specially prepared to pair with the wines you’re tasting, enhancing the overall experience. £100 per couple.
The Cheese Crawl – with glass of fizz
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Guided tours are a great way to see a city and this 2-hour walking tour allows you to combine sightseeing with cheese tasting – plus a cheeky glass of bubbly thrown in, too. Starting in well-heeled Mayfair, you’ll tuck into blue cheese courtesy of a cheese counter that’s been serving discerning punters for over 300 years. Next, you’ll pass by Piccadilly Circus, home to Fortnum & Mason, where members of the royal family get their dairy fix. Here, you’ll try one of London’s finest cheese toasties. Entering Little Italy in Soho, you’ll stop off in a local deli for some Italian cheese before making your way to Covent Garden to sample delectable baked Camembert to round off your tour. As you go, your tour guide will share info about the landmarks you pass – and some cheesy jokes for good measure. £25 per person.
Italian fine wine tasting with cheese
UK-based Dionysius Importers offer exquisite Italian fine wines from small vineyards carefully chosen for their traditional ways of producing wine. At their west London outlet in swanky Fulham, wine connoisseurs can come and indulge their taste buds with a selection of wines that are complemented with some pairing cheeses. Among the tipples you’ll get to sample will include fine, vintage and rare wines, allowing you to gain an overview of all their differing flavours. Highlights include offerings from selected vineyards in the traditional grape-growing regions of Piedmont, Tuscany, Veneto, Terntino Alto Adige, Emilia Romagna and Puglia. £24 per couple.