Wine School

About this experience

A relaxed introduction to wine, from vineyard to glass, in collaboration with our friends at Vine Wine.

This six-session course is for anyone who would like to understand wine better.

We will explore the science behind how wine is grown, made and tasted, but the sessions will be relaxed, informal and open to everyone. No previous knowledge is required, and there is no pressure to use complicated language or identify wines correctly.

Through guided tastings, discussion and visits to Thornfalcon’s vineyard and winery, you will build a practical understanding of wine and learn how to choose it with more confidence.

What you will learn

Across the course, we will look at:

• How to taste wine using a clear and repeatable method
• Acidity, tannin, sweetness, alcohol, body and balance
• The basics of food and wine pairing
• How to store, serve and decant wine
• How to understand labels and recognise value
• The science behind terroir
• How grapes are grown and vineyards are managed
• The main stages of wine production
• How winemaking decisions affect flavour and style
• The characteristics of important white and black grape varieties
• Sparkling, sweet and fortified wines

The course is not about memorising long lists of regions or tasting notes. Instead, we will focus on the main principles behind wine and use them to understand what is happening in the glass.

How the course works

Each session combines straightforward explanations, guided tastings and group discussion.
The wines are selected to illustrate particular ideas. We might compare wines from cool and warm climates, different approaches to winemaking, or grape varieties with contrasting flavours and structures.

Throughout the course, we will return to the same simple questions:

What can you see, smell and taste, and what that might tell you about the wine

Using the same approach each week will allow your knowledge and confidence to build naturally.

The programme

Session One: Introduction to Wine

An introduction to tasting, balance, food and wine pairing, labels, common faults, and the practicalities of storing and serving wine.

Session Two: The Vineyard and Terroir

A clear explanation of terroir and the basic science behind how climate, soil, water, sunlight and vineyard decisions affect the finished wine.

The session includes a visit to the vines with Panu, Thornfalcon’s viticulturist and winemaker, who will explain how these ideas apply at Thornfalcon.

Session Three: Winemaking

An overview of the journey from grape to bottle, including sorting, crushing, pressing, fermentation, maturation and bottling.

Panu will lead a visit to Thornfalcon’s winery and explain how the equipment, production process and decisions made by the winemaker shape the finished wine.

Session Four: White Grape Varieties

An introduction to important white grape varieties, their typical characteristics and the effect of climate, place and winemaking on their style.

Session Five: Black Grape Varieties

An exploration of important red grape varieties, with a particular focus on tannin, body, structure and the differences between lighter and fuller styles.

Session Six: Sparkling, Sweet and Fortified Wines

A look at how sparkling, sweet and fortified wines are made, followed by a comparative tasting of these distinctive styles.

Science without the formality

Wine can seem complicated, but most of the ideas behind it are straightforward when they are explained clearly.

The course will look at the science of growing grapes, fermentation, flavour, structure and maturation, while keeping the sessions informal and conversational.

Questions are encouraged, discussion is part of the course, and there is no expectation that everyone will taste or describe a wine in the same way.

Your course tutor

The course will be led by Robert England, a WSET Level 4 Diploma holder and WSET Scholar with around fifteen years of experience in the wine trade. Robert is from Vine Wine.

Robert’s background includes vineyard and winery work, wine buying, sales and education. His approach is to make wine clear, decipherable and enjoyable, without unnecessary jargon or formality.

Who is the course for?

The course is open to anyone with an interest in wine.

You might be a complete beginner, someone who already enjoys wine but would like to understand it better, or simply someone who wants to feel more confident when choosing a bottle.

No previous experience is required.

Coming soon

Tickets will be available in 2027, if you have any questions or wish to get in touch about our wine school you can Contact us.