Virtual Vino: The wine clubs and tasting sessions happening online

Isolation inspiration: The best places to learn about wine during lockdown
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Harry Fletcher14 May 2020

London’s wine bars and restaurants are closed for now, but we’ll be damned if it’s going to stop us enjoying our vino.

Wine institutions, experts and enthusiasts have been busy launching virtual clubs and tastings, keeping us going until we can get back drinking in the best places to learn about wine in London.

You needn't have a cellar stuffed full of bottles of Grand Cru to enjoy them either – many operate a regular delivery service, meaning enthusiasts can order a bottle of something affordable for virtual tastings later on.

These are the tasting sessions we've been raising a glass to during lockdown.

67 Pall Mall

Paul Winch-Furness / Photographe

One of London's top spots for masterclasses is moving things online, with 67 Pall Mall launching a series of sessions over Zoom. Join the club’s £10 virtual wine membership for access to the daily online masterclasses, with the option to pre-order wines before each session. Once the club re-opens, virtual members will be able to visit the club in person once a year too.

West London Wine School

For a more structured virtual tasting, try the the West London Wine School. The school is helping people step up their game by taking formal lessons from home. Tasting highlights include the Meet the Winemaker series, where guests speakers from around the world stop by to talk about the process behind their creations. There are also places remaining on the official WSET courses and introductory wine online classes, for those who want to come out of lockdown with a qualification under their belt.

The Finest Bubble

Tristan Gassert / Unsplash

Add some fizz into lockdown life with the Finest Bubble, specialists in Champagnes and English sparkling wines. They’re running weekly Friday Bubble live tastings on Instagram, with special offers available on the bottles being discussed. If you’re after something more in depth, Finest Bubble’s other online sessions so far have included Krug masterclasses and a range of Champagne tastings conducted from Frederick’s in Islington. The next is happening on June 17, with tickets priced at £75. People can get involved at short notice, too, with same day two hour London delivery available.

Chateau De Pommard

Take a virtual walk down Burgundy’s famous wine road La Route des Grands Crus from your living room, all thanks to Chateau De Pommard. More than 1,000 people so far have taken part in the guided experience, with expert speakers sharing insight into wine making techniques and the region’s terroir. Guests can also choose to have crates of wine delivered to them at home, for the authentic experience. Rude not to.

Humble Grape

Wine bar mini-group Humble Grape is spilling all the secrets of top vineyards with a new series of Instagram Live wine tastings, with the winemakers themselves as special guests. The weekly Winemaker Chats can be enjoyed alongside a tasting case of six wines available to order from Humble Grape ahead of the sessions, which happen every Tuesday at 6.15pm. Sessions so far have sampled wines by the likes of Winzer Familie Gregor Schup in Austria. Upcoming sessions include chats with Richie of Rombauer Vineyards, Andres of Bodegas Vinessens and Matic of Matic Wines.

Where to learn about wine in London

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Hedonism

Push the boat out with Mayfair institute Hedonism, which is running top-end sessions every week throughout lockdown. Prices for tastings start at around £120, and they're going pretty much as far as your wallet will stretch. Wine lovers can order themselves a specific mixed case for each tasting, before joining some of the biggest names in wine and fine dining for interactive discussions. There are limited spots for each session, so sign up in good time if you want to get involved. Paces for the virtual wine dinner with Hide’s Ollie Dabous have already sold out, but tickets and wine for the tasting with Napa Valley royalty Edouard Moueix, taking guests through the Napanook 2014, Ulysses 2012 and 2013 and Dominus 2012 and 2015, are available now for £600.

Newcomer Wines

If natural wine is your thing, then east London’s Newcomer Wines is the place to go. The bar and wine shop is open for delivery, specialising in organic choices. There are discussions with winemakers from around the world taking place every Wednesday, offering informative but informal looks at interesting producers. The talks take place at 3pm, but are available to catch up on any time. It’s one of the most relaxed and low-commitment options on the list, and there’s next-day delivery on offer too, so people can get involved at short notice.

The Wine Show @ Home

For those looking for inspiration, new recommendations and engaging discussion, without the obligation to order cases of wine or buy passes to classes, The Wine Show @ Home is the one to go for. It’s a series of informative shows that cover a massive range of topics and terroirs. It’s accessible and doesn't talk down to its audience, with expert host Joe Fattorin doing a good job of conveying his experiences trying a massive variety of wines. Tune in at 7pm from Monday to Friday for the live shows, or take your pick of the wide range of videos already available and pour yourself a glass.

Quality Wines

Quality Wines, the wine shop and sister bar to Clerkenwell favourite The Quality Chop House, has been busy during the lockdown. The dependably excellent wine selection hasn’t suffered during quarantine, and the bar is offering delivery on mixed cases and hosting sporadic, engaging tastings via Instagram Live. There are meals for two available for delivery for £45, too, with interesting wine options also ready to choose from. This week, try pairing the lamb neck with navarre chickpeas, spinach and jamon with a Suc De Saulo, Montsant 2018.

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