Paris: French Wine and Cheese Guided Tasting

Paris does wine. But this experience makes wine feel learnable. You meet Simon at his wine bar, taste 2 whites, 2 reds, and champagne, and get pairing advice that actually sticks after you leave.

What I like most is the step-by-step tasting method (look, smell, taste) and the way the pairing choices connect back to French regions and ingredients. The only real drawback is time, it is a focused 2-hour session, so pace yourself if you are not a big wine drinker.

Key Highlights You’ll Feel During the Tasting

• Small group, up to 8 people, so you can ask questions without shouting over anyone
• 5 cheese tastings matched to 5 wine pours so you learn the logic of pairing
• Perfume-sample sniffing to train your nose, not just your tongue
• French regions 101, with practical links to grape, climate, and taste
• A repeatable tasting routine you can use later in Paris restaurants

Meeting Simon at L’OenoVice, and Why the Room Matters

The vibe is part of the lesson. You start at L’OenoVice, a wine bar setting that feels casual and local rather than staged for tourists. The bar is small enough that the group feels personal, and that helps Simon slow down to your questions.

You’ll also notice the room temperature. A couple of folks noted it can run warm at first, then gets more comfortable when the big doors are opened. If you start feeling hot, go slowly through the first pours, take breaks between tastes, and let your palate catch up.

Most important, this is not a lecture where you sit and watch. You taste throughout, so even if wine is new for you, you get to participate right away.

How the Session Starts: Wine Regions, Grapes, and What Changes the Flavor

Before you drink, Simon sets the foundation. You get an intro to the history of French wine, plus a tour of how different wine regions behave. The big idea is simple: where grapes grow, the climate, and the grape type influence what you end up tasting in the glass.

Then you get the first practical skill. You do not rush to the palate. You look at wine color first, then smell, then taste. It sounds basic, but doing it in order trains you to notice differences instead of just judging whether you like it.

If you’ve ever wondered why some wine smells fruity while another smells more floral or earthy, this is where the mystery starts to get organized.

The Tasting Flow: 2 Whites, 2 Reds, and Champagne with 5 Cheese Pairings

You’ll taste five wines total across the two hours: two white glasses, two red glasses, and one glass of champagne. With each wine, you get a cheese pairing, for five kinds of cheese in all.

The format is designed to teach cause and effect. By pairing one cheese with one wine at a time, you start to feel what changes when:

• acidity meets fat (often a classic wine and cheese combo)
• tannins interact with saltiness and texture
• bubbles in champagne cut through richness

You’ll also be encouraged to compare each wine and cheese pairing as you go, not at the end. That matters because your memory gets fuzzy once the tasting grows fun.

What the process feels like, step by step

• Look: you check color and clarity, which helps you predict style
• Smell: you focus on the first impression before sipping
• Taste: you pay attention to acidity, fruit, and texture
• Eat the cheese: you notice how the wine changes with the cheese and vice versa

The Nose Game: Using Perfume Samples to Identify Wine Aromas

This is one of the most memorable parts. Simon compares each wine’s smell to a different perfume sample. The point is to give your brain reference points for scent, so you stop saying things like it smells good and start saying what it smells like.

It can feel silly for about ten minutes, then it clicks. Once you connect a scent profile to a cue, you get better at describing wine. And when you can describe what you like, it becomes easier to order with confidence later.

Practical tip: when you sniff, do not inhale like you’re trying to power through a wall of air freshener. Small, focused sniffs work better. You are listening for notes, not forcing your nose to win a fight.

Pairing Cheese and Wine Without Guessing Later

By the time you finish, the goal is not that you memorize cheese names. The goal is that you learn how to choose wine and find the pairings that make sense at a restaurant.

Simon’s approach helps you learn the pattern behind the pairing:

• A wine with enough acidity tends to work better with creamy cheeses because it keeps the flavors from turning heavy.
• Softer cheeses often pair well with wines that feel fruit-forward or smooth.
• More assertive cheeses usually want a wine that has structure, like acidity or tannin, so the flavors do not flatten each other.

You’ll taste enough variety to build instincts fast. And because the group is limited to 8 people, you can ask follow-up questions while it’s still fresh.

If you enjoy food and want something more than a basic tasting, this part is where the experience starts paying off.

What Makes Simon’s Teaching Style Work for Beginners

The reviews paint a consistent picture: Simon is funny, patient, and ready to answer questions. That matters for first-timers. Wine tastings can sometimes feel like you’re being tested. Here, the tone is more like, Okay, taste this, tell me what you notice, and we’ll connect it to what’s in the glass.

A few people even said they had zero wine experience before this, and still walked away feeling like they could talk about what they liked. That’s the best outcome. You do not want a tasting that makes you feel behind. You want one that gives you tools.

You’ll also see that Simon adapts to the group. In a small room, the pacing can flex. If a question comes up, you likely get a direct answer instead of a quick brush-off.

The Champagne Moment: Ending on Bubbles and Balance

You finish with champagne, and that’s not random. Champagne’s bubbles and acidity help reset your palate after the reds and the stronger cheeses.

A couple of people noted the guide connects the champagne to his background and family production, which adds a warm human touch. Even if you are not into backstory, the point still lands. Finishing with champagne makes the last bite feel lighter and the whole session feel complete.

If you tend to get full fast, champagne can be a relief. It keeps the tasting from turning into one long, heavy meal.

Price and Value: Is $82 for 2 Hours Worth It?

At $82 per person for 2 hours, you’re paying for more than glasses. You’re buying:

• 5 wine tastings (two whites, two reds, one champagne)
• 5 cheese tastings
• a wine-expert guide who teaches a tasting method, not just facts

So the value depends on how you like to learn. If you want to sip and chat with zero structure, you might feel the cost is high. But if you want a guided framework that helps you order better in Paris later, the price starts to make sense.

The group size is also part of the equation. With a small group capped at 8, you’re not just paying for product. You’re paying for attention, time, and the chance to ask questions.

And yes, some folks also said they bought bottles they loved afterward. That usually happens when a tasting helps you pick something confidently, not when you guess.

Who This Tour Fits Best (and Who Might Skip It)

This one fits well if you’re:

• curious about French wine regions
• new to wine and want a clear tasting routine
• someone who enjoys learning through food pairing

It is not listed as suitable for pregnant women and children under 18, and the experience involves wine, so that restriction matters.

It’s also wheelchair accessible, which is a big practical plus in a city where many small bars can be tricky.

If you’re traveling as a couple, this is especially nice because the small group setup often feels intimate. If you’re traveling solo, you’ll likely get plenty of chances to talk since the space is small.

Getting Ready: Simple Tips So You Taste Better

You do not need to study wine before you go. You do need to show up ready to pay attention. Here are a few ways to get more from the two hours:

• Pace your sips, the goal is noticing differences, not racing
• Use the look-smell-taste order Simon teaches, even if you feel confident
• Ask one question early, then ride the momentum as you taste
• Take your notes in your phone after each pairing, your brain will forget otherwise

Also, check you know the meeting location, L’OenoVice. One person mentioned they could not find the bar at first because they arrived too early, then it was easy once they returned on time. So plan to arrive right around the start.

Should You Book This French Wine and Cheese Tasting with Simon in Paris?

If you want an experience that teaches you how to taste and how to pair, I think this is a strong choice. The structure is simple and effective: 5 wines, 5 cheeses, a clear routine for tasting, and a memorable nose training trick with perfume samples.

Book it if you like hands-on learning, small groups, and a guide who keeps things friendly and responsive. Skip it if you want a long menu tour with lots of free roaming time, or if you prefer wine tastings that are mostly self-led.

FAQ

Where is the meeting point for the tasting?

You meet at L’OenoVice.

How long does the Paris wine and cheese guided tasting last?

The experience lasts 2 hours.

What wines and cheeses are included?

You get 2 glasses of white wine, 2 glasses of red wine, and 1 glass of champagne. You also get cheese tastings of 5 kinds, with a pairing for each wine.

What languages is the live guide available in?

The live guide is available in English and French.

Is this tour suitable for children or pregnant women?

It is not suitable for children under 18 years, and it is not suitable for pregnant women.

Can I get a refund if I cancel?

Yes, you can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.