Why can’t wine education be engaging and enjoyable?
We believe in keeping wine appreciation approachable and allow for sensory examination and evaluation, never complicated or overtly analytical.
Studying the complexity of wine tasting has been a fruitful learning curve that has opened my eyes to the delights of a huge variety of wines.
Michael Broadbent
Through our ongoing courses, events and best-selling books, the Academie du Vin encourages our guests to discover wine tasting and appreciation through a traditional approach using our wealth of knowledge to train how your senses should feel.
It’s a place and modern community focused on a passion for fine wine allowing us to share our interest with likeminded people who have an innate curiosity but without the intimidation factor.
Our History
Originally established in Paris in 1973 by Steven Spurrier, the Academie du Vin was France's first private wine school teaching wine appreciation to ex-patriate British and Americans living in the city. The location of the school was adjacent to Steven Spurrier's famous wine store, the Caves de la Madeleine, and designed inside a former locksmith shop.
The Academie du Vin quickly rose to fame in wine enthusiast circles through its association with the 1976 Judgment of Paris - a blind tasting which brought recognition to California wines and changed the wine world forever.
With Steven’s extensive training and experience in the UK wine trade, he was instrumental in creating an educational wine phenomenon that transformed enthusiast's approach to wine; by perfectly blending enjoyment and technical expertise.
Our Founders
A British wine expert and former merchant who has been described as a champion of French wine. Spurrier organized the Paris Wine Tasting of 1976, which unexpectedly elevated the status of California wine and promoted the expansion of wine production in the New World. He is also the founder of the Academie du Vin and Christie's Wine Course, in addition to authoring and co-authoring several wine books. It has been said time and time again, that upon meeting Steven, they learn something new and important, a testament to his character and willingness to extoll his wisdom and the pleasures of wine to the world.
Our Books
The topic of Wine is filled with a mythology built on rules and intimidations, leaving us feeling insecure. Yet nothing breaks down barriers and brings us together as we take notice of the relationships built and conversations held over a glass of wine.
To impart the feeling of enjoying wine, our aim is to beautifully break it down through story and imagery united by a passion to learn more whether you are a collector, taster, buyer, or enthusiast.
Discovering the authentic voice of a particular terroir requires study.
Matt Kramer (author of Making Sense of Burgundy)
A Good Read Should Inspire
Our intention is to be evocative offering valuable resources, always believing a good read should inspire you to think about the things that initially got you into wine, further building your knowledge by exposing you to a whole new world of possibility.
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