The best virtual wine tastings in the UK
Something for every budget and style.
As the lockdown in the UK continues with bars, restaurants, pubs, clubs and any other type of drinking establishment likely to be off limits for many months to come now is a great time to try out some of the many new virtual wine tastings that have cropped up. Whether from established wine bars or newly created ventures there’s a lot of great quality out there but here’s some of the best.
67 Pall Mall
Regarded as one of the worlds finest members club and with over 4,000 wines on their list they certainly have the choice. With London’s best Sommeliers in their employ they also have the expertise.
They haven’t let this prestige go to waste in lockdown either with a huge range of virtual wine tastings and other masterclasses available. It’s almost certain that you’ll find something interesting and perhaps even a bit different.
The venue is currently host at least two events every day of the week with some days even hosting five events. They have tasting of specific wineries, regions and introductions to whole countries such as China.
Tastings range in price depending on the wine being tasted but range generally from £70 to £130 although some do hit £200. Wines are sent to your home in small tasting bottles.
Ward’s Wine Club
Started by a good friend of mine when he became furloughed Ward’s Wine Club offers a great range of regular wine tastings. All of the wines are hand picked by Ben himself with a focus on biodynamic and organic wines. They’re all very unique. You certainly won’t find any supermarket wine with in these tastings.
They offer a couple of great introductory sessions each of which features three unique wines. One has a Red, White and Rose while the other is all about Sparkling Wines with a Champagne, Prosecco, and a sparkling Chardonnay. These sessions are £59 and £64 respectively including UK delivery.
The highlight event with Ward’s Wine Club though is a 6 bottle tasting. You get a case of six unique and interesting wines delivered to your door. Five are for the tutored tasting while one, a sparkling, is to pop open at your will. This package is a very reasonable £129.
Tastings take place twice per week on a Wednesday and Saturday so you just join the relevant one for the wine you wish you to taste at that time.
The other great thing is that the tastings are recorded so you can watch back to get a quick refresher at anytime.
Grape to Grain
A fantastic wine bar, shop and beer cellar in Manchester. Grape to Grain have now taken their regular tastings online.
Hosted on Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm and 6pm respectively they each have three wines and a selection of cheeses. All of Grape to Grains are quite unique and interesting, again, no supermarket stuff here.
The brilliant feature with these tastings is that they offer a range of sample sizes: a 100ml taster, 500ml carafe, or the full 750ml bottle. Prices are of course dependent on the wines being tasted and the size you go for but they can be as cheap as £15. You do also get some paired cheeses.
Wines can be delivered anywhere in the UK for a small fee but they will deliver for free in Manchester.
Grape to Grain’s tasting are a bit more relaxed than others, particularly 67 Pall Mall, expect a bit of swearing but a lot of fun too.