Paris: French Wine and Cheese Guided Tasting

Paris wine and cheese, taught by Simon. At L’OenoVice, you start with French wine regions, then do a guided see-smell-sip tasting, using perfume samples to sharpen aroma recall.

I love how the format is practical, not pretentious, with a repeatable tasting routine that helps you actually notice differences. I also love the wine and cheese pairing logic, where each pour is matched to a specific cheese so the lesson sticks.

One thing to consider: it is packed into 2 hours, so if you want long, slow chats over each glass, you might feel a bit on a schedule.

Key highlights at a glance

• Simon runs the show at his wine bar, with plenty of explanation and a relaxed, funny pace
• New Year Champagne special brings extra pours and even Simon’s family Champagne
• 5 cheeses with 5 wine pours, matched in sequence so you can taste the pairing effect
• Perfume smell training helps you recognize aromas before you sip
• Small group size (up to 8) keeps questions close and the vibe informal

Meeting Simon at L’OenoVice, where the lesson starts

Your experience begins at L’OenoVice, a Paris wine bar setting that keeps everything grounded in real life. Instead of a lecture hall tone, you get a back-and-forth session where Simon guides you step by step and keeps the group small enough for you to ask questions without waiting your turn.

This is a great format if you are not chasing wine jargon. You are learning by doing. You will see what the wine looks like, smell it with purpose, then taste it with an explanation tied to the region, the grapes, and the way flavors show up.

And because it is run by a bar owner, the info has a “so what” focus. The goal is not just tasting. It is leaving with a way to order and pair wine and cheese on your own later in Paris.

The New Year Champagne special, and why it matters for your palate

This is labeled as a New Year special, which means the experience leans into more wine and more Champagne than the base structure. The tasting includes 2 glasses of white, 2 glasses of red, and finishes with 1 glass of Champagne, and you also get the chance to taste Simon’s family Champagne.

That matters because Champagne is not just a celebratory drink. It becomes the final “check” on everything you learned earlier. By the time you reach it, you have already trained your senses on color, aroma, and taste patterns for the white and red wines. So when the Champagne arrives, you can compare how acidity, bubbles, and balance change what you notice.

If you like your tastings to feel generous and celebratory, this version is worth it. Just keep your water handy, because 2 hours plus five wine servings adds up faster than you expect.

See, smell, sip: the tasting routine you can copy at home

The tasting is built around a clear process, and that is one of the best parts. You do not just drink. You practice the steps:

1) You look at the wine color first.

2) You smell it before the first sip.

3) You taste it with guidance.

Simon keeps this simple and consistent across the different wines, so each round reinforces the previous one. You are learning how to pay attention, not memorizing a list of facts.

Perfume samples for aroma training (the fun part)

One of the more clever elements is the way you train your nose. For each wine, you compare the smell to a different perfume sample. The idea is to help your brain grab onto a recognizable scent profile, then map that idea back to what is in the wine.

If you have ever felt like wine smells the same as every other drink, this is the antidote. It gives you a memory hook. Even if you cannot name a flavor perfectly, you start forming a sense of direction, which makes tasting easier later.

This also makes the experience interactive. You will be encouraged to participate and go through the smell challenge, which is a big reason people leave feeling more confident ordering wine after.

How Simon teaches French wine regions without making it complicated

Between the wines, Simon explains the ins and outs of French wine. You learn how geography connects to flavor, and how climate and grape type influence what shows up in your glass.

You will also get historical context, but it is not delivered as a dry timeline. It is tied to why certain styles developed where they did. That approach helps you remember, because the story is serving a purpose: it tells you what you should expect to taste.

Another smart touch is how he adapts the material to the group. The session is delivered in English and French, and the tone is welcoming even if you start with zero wine background. You get a lot of room for questions, which is where many of the most useful tips tend to come out.

Five cheeses and the pairing lesson that actually clicks

The tasting includes 5 kinds of cheese, with a different cheese paired to each wine. That means you are not just chewing while you drink. You are tasting how fat, salt, and texture change the wine experience.

Here is what you can take from the pairing method, even if you do not know the cheese names right away:

• Pairing helps balance. Wine acidity can cut through fattier cheeses, while richer wines can stand up to stronger flavors.
• Cheese texture changes perception. Creamy, aged, and sharper cheeses each shift aroma and finish in different ways.
• The same wine tastes different with different foods. That is the big takeaway, and it is why the paired sequence works better than random cheese sampling.

By the end, you are not just choosing a cheese you like. You are learning how to build a combo that matches your taste preferences. That is what makes this more useful than a basic tasting flight.

Finishing with Champagne, then taking the method into Paris restaurants

The experience ends with Champagne, and it is the last taste in the sequence on purpose. Once you reach it, you are ready to apply everything you practiced earlier: color cues, aroma recall, and the way bubbles and acidity affect flavor.

Then you are set up to choose wines in restaurants with more confidence. The goal is that when you look at a wine list in Paris, you are not freezing. You have a tasting framework and pairing instincts you can use on the spot.

This is especially helpful if you plan to eat in French-style meals across the trip. Cheese boards, charcuterie, grilled dishes, and dessert pairings all become easier when you understand the “why” behind the match.

Price and value: is $70 per person fair for 2 hours?

At $70 per person for a 2-hour class, you are paying for more than drinks. You get:

• 5 wine servings (2 white, 2 red, 1 Champagne)
• 5 cheese samples
• a live guide (Simon) who teaches the process and answers questions
• small group size limited to 8, which usually means more interaction than a crowded tasting bar session

I think the value is strongest if you want guidance and pairing skills, not just a quick sip-and-go. The structure matters here. Because it is sequential, you leave with usable methods for future ordering, and that tends to make the cost feel lighter.

If you already know wine well and mostly want to taste more bottles with less instruction, you might decide a different style of tasting fits you better. But for most first-timers, this is a solid deal for the quantity and the teaching style.

Who this is best for, and who should skip it

This experience is a great match if you want an English-friendly, high-structure tasting that still stays fun. It is also a strong choice for couples and small groups who enjoy learning together, because the group size is limited to 8 participants.

It also works well if you are not a big wine person yet. The step-by-step routine and the perfume smell training help you connect to flavors without feeling behind. Several people in the feedback also mention how the pairing element changed their view of wine, because it stops being abstract and starts becoming practical.

That said, it is not suitable for children under 18, and it is not for pregnant women. If you fall into either category, skip this one.

Also, keep in mind the pace. Two hours with five wine pours and paired cheese can feel quick, even with bread and water available.

Should you book this Paris French wine and cheese tasting?

Book it if you want a fun, guided session that teaches you how to taste and how to pair. The pairing sequence, the aroma training with perfume samples, and Simon’s teaching style are the combo that makes this worth your time.

Skip it if you want a long, leisurely wine crawl with lots of free time to wander or if you prefer unguided tastings where you control every step. This is a class, with a clear flow, and it stays that way for 2 hours.

FAQ

Where do I meet for the tasting?

You meet at L’OenoVice.

How long is the guided tasting?

The experience lasts 2 hours.

What drinks are included in the tasting?

You taste 2 glasses of white, 2 glasses of red, and 1 glass of Champagne.

How much cheese is included?

There are 5 kinds of cheese included.

Is this a small group experience?

Yes. The group is limited to 8 participants.

What languages are offered?

The live guide speaks English and French.

Is the tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes, it is listed as wheelchair accessible.

Who is the tour not suitable for?

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

Is there free cancellation?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. Reserve now & pay later is also available.