London's most affordable wine pairings and tastings

The wine industry is hardly famed for its accessibility, with lavish price tags and the odd snooty attitude leaving beginners feeling out of place. But life’s too short to drink bad wine, especially when there’s a whole world out there waiting to be discovered. For those wanting to learn a little more about the world of wine, without unnecessary pretension or cost, you’ve come to the right place. 

We've already sorted you out with a bunch of budget-friendly restaurants in London, and now we're back with something a bit different. Below, you'll find our guide to the most affordable wine tastings and pairings in London, where expert sommeliers and passionate enthusiasts share their knowledge with fellow wine lovers. Here, they break down the jargon and introduce guests to a wealth of exciting bottles. 

With so many wines to choose from, it's easy to feel a little confused by the sheer choice out there, instead going back to familiar favourites to save you from disappointment. It's true, trying out new wines can be an expensive task. Why risk spending money on a full bottle when there's a chance you won't like it?

Well, that's where a wine tasting comes in - you can try several different options without having to commit to a full bottle, and potentially discover a new favourite along the way. Or, why not leave it up to the experts with a wine pairing? The hard work is already done for you. And besides, who better to choose the best wines to pair with your meal than those who've created the whole experience?

Whether you’re looking for a cheap date night in London or a place to spend an evening with a few drinks and a couple of friends, then look no further. Affordable wine tastings and pairings do exist - you just need to know where to look! 

Cheapest wine tastings in London

Whether you're looking for a place to meet like-minded wine lovers, or simply want to expand your knowledge, these affordable wine tastings are sure to tickle your fancy and teach you a thing or two about the world of wine.

Humble Grape, Canary Wharf

What: If you’re a complete novice, then Humble Grape’s Wine 101 offers the perfect introduction - plus, it’s excellent value for money! This chain of lively neighbourhood wine bars now boasts six sites across the capital and has become well known for its monthly wine tastings. Here, you’ll get to try several glasses from local and independent producers, offering a more casual and interactive experience devoid of any snobbery. Each class revolves around a different theme, from an exploration into rose to how to pair wine with food. Educational yet entertaining - this one is not to be missed!
Where: 18-20 Mackenzie Walk, E14 4PH
How much: £10 
Book now: Humble Grape Canary Wharf

Renegade Urban Winery, Bethnal Green

What: Known for its distinctive wine labels - featuring the eyes of members of the community - Renegade Urban Winery makes its bottles at a winery in Walthamstow. Every other week it hosts Thirsty Thursday Tastings which showcase four of the site's own wines in a variety of different themes. From the best of orange wine to sustainably-made bottles, this class is perfect for both novices and connoisseurs alike. 
Where: Arch 12 Gales Gardens, E2 0EJ
How much: £25
Book now: Renegade Urban Winery

London Cru, Fulham

What: Just a stone’s throw from West Brompton station,this London winery offers more than just a tasting, with a wine tour and sampling all rolled into one. Each bottle has been made with locally-sourced English grapes, so you'll get to grips with the flavours and attributes of English wine. If you're curious about how they're made, then London Cru offers a complete behind-the-scenes tour including a chance to try four of the wines.  The tour is run by the winemaking team themselves, so be sure to come with plenty of questions. 
How much: £28
Where: 21-27 Seagrave Road, SW6 1RP

Bedales Wine Bar, City of London

What: Setting up shop in Leadenhall Market, Bedales Wine Bar is a beloved local spot that boasts a passionate and knowledgable team. They do things a little differently here, offering self-guided wine tastings for groups of two to six people. Classes are available every Sunday to Thursday and include a glass of fizz on arrival, followed by a flight of three wines which have been carefully selected by their in-house sommeliers. Receive a full introduction with tasting tips, fun facts and a tasting diary with space for your own notes. You’ll be a pro in no time!
Where: 55 Leadenhall Market, EC3V 1LT
How much: £30
Book now: Bedales Wine Bar

The Wine Tasting Shop, Balham

What: Looking for some affordable weekend plans? Why not try one of the Saturday afternoon tastings at The Wine Tasting Shop. This cosy little wine bar in Balham offers a selection of sharing platters and charcuterie boards throughout the week with an extensive collection of both Old and New World wines available. But it’s the weekend wine tasting that caught our attention. If you’re looking for a short and relaxed event that gives you the chance to question the experts, then this spot is for you.
Where: 18 Hildreth Street, SW12 9RQ
How much: £30
Book now: The Wine Tasting Shop

Baccala, London Bridge

What: Italian restaurant Baccala specialises in two things: seafood and wine. Join Fabio and Moreno for one of their monthly wine talks, where guests are invited to explore verdicchio wines from across Italy. A ticket to one of these events includes three different wines, which are served alongside a selection of the chef's specialities from LeMarche. It's a fun and relaxed evening that brings together fellow wine enthusiasts - what more could you want?
Where: 194 Bermondsey Street, SE1 3TQ
How much: £35
Book now: Baccala

The Winemakers Club, Farringdon

What: Located under the Holborn viaduct, the cathedral-like brick arches at The Winemakers Club are sure to set the atmosphere, offering a unique and cosy location for a wine tasting. The focus here is on organic and independent winemakers, who are brought to life at a series of private tastings hosted throughout the week. Once a month, the event is open to the public and includes cheese and charcuterie boards to pair with six different wines. An absolute steal, if you ask us.
Where: 41a Farringdon Street, EC4A 4AN
How much: £35 
Book now: The Winemakers Club

Diogenes the Dog, Elephant and Castle

What: This award-winning bar explores the underdogs of the wine world, so you’re guaranteed to discover something new and exciting at its wine tastings. The private classes here focus on the basic principles of wine, breaking down the jargon (and the grapes) to arm you with the knowledge you need to make excellent wine choices. You'll try five different wines, and there's a blind taste test for the final bottle to see if you can guess where it's from! 
Where: 96 Rodney Road, SE17 1BG
How much: £35
Book now: Diogenes the Dog

Little Cellars, Camberwell

What: The sister site of beloved wine bar Peckham Cellars, Little Cellars offers Parisian bistro-style cuisine alongside a vast list of sustainable wines. With a bottle shop just next door, this trendy spot offers several events throughout the year for you to brush up on your wine skills. They're a tad pricier than some of the options on this list, but we think they're still excellent value for money. 
Where: 75 Camberwell Church Street, SE5 8TR
How much: £45
Book now: Little Cellars

Cheapest wine pairings in London

Whilst wine pairings are often synonymous with expensive Michelin menus, that doesn’t have to be the case! In fact, these affordable pairings all come alongside some reasonably priced tasting menus too, so you can eat and drink lavishly without breaking the bank.

Tendril, Mayfair

What: You may be surprised to hear that one of the most affordable wine pairings in London is located just off the outskirts of Mayfair. Tendril’s evening Discovery menu comes with an optional wine pairing for only £39. Plus, if you order the Early Bird menu, it costs an incredible £26! The wines change regularly but you can always expect vegan vinos from small European producers.
Where: 5 Princes Street, W1B 2LQ
How much: £26 
Book now: Tendril

Nest, Hackney

What: This spot on Hackney’s Morning Lane is committed to doing things as sustainably as possible, and practices nose-to-tail cooking to avoid wastage. Wines focus on one region for each season, pairing wines from Spain with duck season, English wines with veg season, and German wines with when lamb is at its best. An evening wine pairing includes five glasses for £65, but if you’re in the area for lunch, you can enjoy three glasses for just £28.
Where: 177 Morning Lane, E9 6LH
How much: £28
Book now: Nest

Pidgin, Hackney

What: Beloved amongst east Londoners, Pidgin’s unique and creative approach to the menu is always insightful. No two weeks are the same here, with its four-course seasonal menu changing every seven days. The same goes for the wines, with the option to add a wine pairing to the tasting menu for just £36. Explore a selection of organic and biodynamic wines, with a focus on lesser known labels. 
Where: 52 Wilton Way, E8 1BG
How much: £36
Book now: Pidgin

Six by Nico, Fitzrovia and Canary Wharf

What: Scottish chef Nico Simeone’s restaurants can be found across the country, serving a six-course tasting menu and nothing else - hence the name. The menus are always themed, and change every six weeks along with the wines. Explore six exciting bottles with your meal for an additional £35.
Where: 33-41 Charlotte Street, W1T 1RR; 6 Chancellor Passage, E14 5EA
How much: £35
Book now: Six by Nico Fitzrovia; Six by Nico Canary Wharf

Not convinced that this wine malarky is for you? Hit up one of the best pubs in London instead, where you can enjoy pints and plates in some of the capital's finest boozers.