Five pours, five cheese matches, and a nose game.

This Paris wine-and-cheese tasting is run in a real wine bar by Simon, and it trains you to taste like a pro using perfume-style smell samples. In just 2 hours, you get guided pairings that make the whole France-wine story click fast.

Two things I really like are how Simon explains what you’re smelling and tasting in plain language, and how the cheese pairings show you why wine tastes different with food. The format also keeps things interactive, so you’re not stuck watching and nodding.

One consideration: this is an alcohol-focused session. You’ll be drinking multiple glasses, so go in with a plan to take it slow afterward.

Key highlights you should care about

• Small group (max 8), so you can ask questions without shouting over anyone
• See, smell, sip with clear guidance, not just a passive tasting
• Perfume samples used to sharpen your sense of smell for wine
• Five cheeses matched to your five pours (2 whites, 2 reds, 1 Champagne)
• Simon’s Champagne gets special attention during the session
• You’ll leave with pairing ideas you can use in Paris restaurants (and at home)

Starting at L’Oeno’Vice: A Paris wine bar visit that feels personal

The experience meets at L’Oeno’Vice, and you’re not going to a generic tasting room. You’re stepping into a real wine bar space where the host matters. Simon is the one guiding you, and that owner-led approach is a big part of the value here.

Right away, the tone is relaxed but focused. You get the sense that this isn’t just about getting you to swallow wine and move on. It’s about helping you notice differences, then giving you the words (and habits) to understand them.

Because the group is limited to 8 people, the pacing works better than in bigger tastings. You get time to smell, ask, and compare rather than feeling rushed through a script.

The tasting method: See it, smell it, then taste with a plan

This tasting has a structure you can actually repeat later. The basics go in order: you look at the wine color first, then smell it, and then taste. That sequence matters, because wine flavor is a mix of taste and aroma, and most people skip aroma training.

Simon also builds in a very practical trick: comparing the wine’s smell to perfume samples. The point isn’t to guess perfume brands. It’s to train your brain to separate notes (like fruit, flowers, or something more earthy) and notice them in the glass.

You’ll likely feel a little ridiculous at first, sniffing like a detective. Then it clicks. You start realizing that when people say a wine is “dry” or “fruity,” they’re not being poetic. They’re describing specific sensory signals you can learn to recognize.

What you drink in 2 hours: 2 whites, 2 reds, and Champagne

You taste five wines total: 2 glasses of white, 2 glasses of red, and 1 glass of Champagne at the end. Each one comes with a different cheese pairing, so you’re never eating the same thing with every sip.

There’s also a New Year special element mentioned in the experience description: more Champagne and more wine. If you’re booking around that period, expect the final stretch to feel celebratory and fuller on the bubbly side.

I like this lineup because it covers a range of styles without turning the tasting into a random grab bag. You get multiple chances to compare how grapes, climate, and region show up in the glass, then you finish with Champagne as the party-style bookend.

The practical effect of tasting five different pours

In a lot of tastings, you get one or two “star” wines and the rest blend together. Here, the pairing system forces comparison. After each pour, you’re working with a new cheese match, so you’re constantly asking your senses what changed.

That makes the session feel longer in a good way. Two hours can fly, but the learning sticks because your brain is doing work every few minutes.

The cheese part that actually teaches you pairing

The cheese component is not an afterthought. You taste 5 kinds of French cheese, with a different cheese paired to each wine you drink.

This matters because cheese isn’t just something to munch. It influences what you notice in the wine. Some pairings make fruit flavors pop. Others soften tannins in red wine or shift how acidity feels.

One of the best outcomes of this kind of tasting is that you stop thinking of wine as a standalone drink. You start thinking of wine as something you order with food. That is the real-world skill you’ll use when you’re eating in Paris.

Also, Simon’s guidance is designed to help you explain your own preferences. Instead of saying something vague like “I like it,” you’ll learn what you liked and what you want again.

Learning French wine geography without turning it into school

A big chunk of the session is about why French wine tastes the way it does. You get an explanation of how wine regions connect to things like climate, grape type, and location.

This is the part that helps you stop relying on labels alone. When Simon connects the dots between where grapes grow and what ends up in the glass, you start to understand why two wines can both be “French” yet feel completely different.

You’ll also get context on the history of wine. The best part is that it’s tied to what you’re tasting right now, not dumped as trivia at the end.

The “smell training” with perfume samples (and why it works)

Let’s talk about the perfume samples. The session uses them as a sort of shortcut for learning smell categories. You smell, compare, and talk through what you’re detecting.

This makes it easier than relying only on memory. When you don’t know what you’re smelling, it’s hard to improve. The perfume comparisons give you a reference point, which is why the method gets results faster.

If you’ve ever taken a sip and thought, I don’t get it, this portion is often where people start turning the corner. Your nose is a tool, and the tour gives you a chance to use it on purpose.

How to choose wine in Paris after this tasting

By the end, you’re not only deciding which wine tastes best to you. You’re building a quick decision process you can use while ordering.

Simon guides you on choosing wine, including which wines pair best with which meals. That’s the part that turns the tasting from a fun night into a tool you can carry into restaurants.

Here’s what you can do right away at a wine bar or bistro:

• Start by telling staff what you liked in the tasting (and why)
• Ask for a bottle or glass that matches the style, not just the region name
• Use the pairing logic: your cheese-and-wine experience becomes your food pairing map

You’ll also have that Champagne finale in your head. If you liked the finish, you’ll know what kind of bubbly style to look for later.

Price and value: $70 for a guided tasting in a small group

At $70 per person for 2 hours, the value depends on what you care about. If you want a casual sip and a nice chat, there are cheaper ways to drink wine in Paris.

But if you want guided tasting that changes how you order food and wine afterward, this price starts to make sense. You’re getting:

• 5 wine tastings (2 whites, 2 reds, 1 Champagne)
• 5 cheese tastings, matched to each wine
• A host who explains the why behind the pairing choices
• A small group that supports questions and back-and-forth

Also, several details point to a well-run session: water and bread are mentioned as part of the experience flow, and people note they receive solid amounts to taste properly. That combination is what you’re paying for: attention plus tastings, not just a quick sample.

Who should book this, and who might skip it

This works best if you want to learn while eating and drinking, and you like interactive teaching. It’s a strong choice even if you’re not a wine expert. The session is designed for beginners who want clear guidance, and it doesn’t assume prior experience.

It also suits food people: if you care about flavor balance, you’ll enjoy the logic of pairing wine with cheese and then using that logic for meals.

Who should skip it: the experience is not suitable for children under 18 and not suitable for pregnant women. And because it’s multiple pours, it’s not ideal if you’re looking for a light taste-only outing.

Quick practical tips so you get more out of the session

Plan to pace yourself. With five pours and five cheese pairings in 2 hours, it can add up fast, especially if you also drink at dinner.

Go in with curiosity, not confidence. If you think you’re bad at smelling or describing flavors, great. The perfume comparison method is built for exactly that moment when you’re unsure.

When you get a chance to ask questions, take it. The small group setup makes it easier to get answers tied to what you actually liked, not just general wine facts.

Should you book this Paris wine and cheese tasting?

I think you should book it if you want more than a souvenir tasting. You’re paying for a structured method (see-smell-taste), smart pairing instruction, and a host-led experience with a small group size.

I would skip it if you want a low-alcohol experience, or if you’re uncomfortable with learning through guided tasting (sniffing perfume samples included). And if you dislike the idea of drinking multiple glasses in a sitting, this won’t feel like a casual stroll.

If you’re aiming for a fun, educational night that helps you order with confidence the rest of your trip, this one is a smart bet.

FAQ

Where is the meeting point?

You meet at L’Oeno’Vice.

How long is the Paris wine and cheese guided tasting?

The experience lasts 2 hours.

What wines and cheeses are included?

You taste 2 white wines, 2 red wines, and 1 Champagne, along with 5 kinds of cheese, paired as you go.

Who is the guide?

The tasting is led by a wine-expert guide, and you meet Simon at his wine bar.

How big is the group?

The tour is a small group limited to 8 participants.

What languages are spoken during the tour?

The guide speaks English and French.

Is the activity wheelchair accessible?

Yes, it is listed as wheelchair accessible.

Is this activity suitable for children or pregnancy?

No. It is not suitable for children under 18 and not suitable for pregnant women.