Champagne and sparkling wine tasting

Demystify the luxurious world of champagne, and taste some fine examples

This entertaining evening course makes the subject of champagne accessible to all. Led by wine specialist Christopher Cooper, it aims to break down the barriers of this exclusive domain and improve your appreciation of all types of sparkling wines. By the end of the evening, you'll be able to talk about champagne with confidence, know what to expect from any bottle you order, and have the skills to discover new hidden gems on the shelves.

Christopher will discuss the history behind the revered wine and outline the many different styles of champagne and sparkling wine, including some lesser-known regional specialities. You'll also experience a tasting session featuring a variety of champagnes and fine sparkling wines, and draft tasting notes to help you explore the flavours and characters of each flute. Perfect as an introduction to wine appreciation or for more experienced palates to expand their knowledge into this decadent domain.

This course is for you if...

• You want a general introduction to sparkling wine appreciation
• You have some knowledge of wine and want a more nuanced understanding of champagne and sparkling wine
• You want to be more confident and get better value when ordering and buying champagne

Course description

This informal and informative evening course involves a practical tasting session, and explores the history, processes and qualities of different champagnes and sparkling wines. Topics covered include:

• The history and evolution of sparkling wine
• The different styles and origins of sparkling wine
• How sparkling wines are made – and where the bubbles come from
• The champagne method and the different styles of champagne
• Tasting session to discover the different characters of champagnes and sparkling wines

Tutor profile

Christopher Cooper is a London-based wine and drinks consultant, providing guidance and commentary for hospitality, the drinks industry and the media. Christopher's quirky and witty approach to wine and the broader spectrum of consumable liquids is well respected within the industry. The former group wine buyer for the Soho House Group, he has also worked as head sommelier of Connaught, Savoy Grill, Wolseley and Clos Maggiore. More recently, Christopher set up Drinkonomics Limited. Find out more on his website.

Full course and returns information on the Masterclasses website