We’ve learned — the hard way — that you can’t really understand French wine by reading about it. And you can’t hold onto that understanding unless it’s rooted in something tactile. Something lived. That’s what this week is for.
The French Wine Essentials program is a short-form course designed for those who want to study French wine with more structure than a tour can offer — but without the pressure of a full professional certification track.
You’ll have the option to sit the exam at the end. Or not. The experience holds either way.
Over four days, we’ll move through all the major regions of France — from Champagne to the Rhône, from Burgundy to Bordeaux. You’ll learn about geography, grape varieties, tasting structure, and wine laws. But also about tradition, nuance, and how culture shapes the glass.
Thursday, September 25 – Apéro + Cultural Welcome
We begin slowly — a glass, a conversation, a bit of grounding.
You’ll meet the other participants, share a first toast, and be gently dropped into the rhythms of the program.
There’s a small cultural surprise planned. It won’t be flashy — but it will be intentional.
Friday, September 26 – Classroom + Film
Our first full day together is spent in the classroom. We’ll dive into the core of the Essentials curriculum, exploring key regions, styles, and cultural themes — always with guided tastings.
Lunch is prepared by our chef and shared around the table.
In the evening, we head to L’Arlequin, a historic Paris cinema, for something different:
a wine tasting and screening of La Passion de Dodin Bouffant — a film about food, family, and quiet mastery. Subtitled in English. Designed to connect wine to the larger cultural framework it lives within.
Saturday, September 27 – Champagne
A full day in Champagne — with cellar visits, conversations with multi-generational growers, and tastings that connect what we’ve studied to what’s in the glass.
If the weather allows, lunch will be prepared by our chef and served in the vineyard. If not, we’ll gather around a long table indoors and carry the same spirit forward.
This is not a checklist day — it’s an immersion.
Sunday, September 28 – Final Classroom + Optional Exam
Our final day is back in the classroom. This session brings everything together — review, reflection, and space for deeper questions.
The exam is offered in the evening, but entirely optional. Some take it. Others don’t. You’ll know what feels right by then.
Paris Wine Academy 