Burgundy Wines Masterclass in Dijon

Reviewed · BURGUNDY WINE TOURS

Burgundy Wines Masterclass in Dijon

5.0 · 139 reviews 2 hours (approx.) From $110 Operated by The Wine Compass · Bookable on Viator
Book on Viator →

Dijon teaches you to taste Burgundy. In this Burgundy masterclass, you taste 6 wines including some 1er cru picks, then connect those sips to grapes, crus, and the rules behind production. It runs in a relaxed pace, and you can ask questions without feeling rushed.

I love the step-by-step tasting coaching built on the Wine & Spirit Education Trust system, including fun scent exercises that help you name what you smell. I also love the cheese and charcuterie pairing, because it turns a tasting session into something you can actually remember later. The main consideration is simple: alcohol is served, and you need to flag dietary requirements or any alcohol-related health issue ahead of time.

Burgundy Masterclass: What Makes This Dijon Tasting Work

Burgundy Wines Masterclass in Dijon - Burgundy Masterclass: What Makes This Dijon Tasting Work

  • Small group, max 9 keeps the vibe personal, even when the class is in English only.
  • 6 Burgundy wines with some 1er cru means you get range, not just beginner pours.
  • WSET-based tasting method helps you taste with structure, not guesswork.
  • Scent and aroma training uses a practical smell test so you learn the language of Burgundy.
  • Cheese and charcuterie pairing makes comparisons easier while you’re still in learning mode.
  • You can ask anything and the guide adjusts to your level, from first-time sippers to sharper wine nerds.

Arriving at 1 Av. Junot and settling into the cellar mood

The session starts at 1 Av. Junot, 21000 Dijon, and it ends back at the meeting point. The location is near public transportation, so you can treat this like a proper evening plan instead of a complicated detour.

Once you’re inside, the tone is very much hands-on learning. You’re not stuck listening to a lecture while you take notes. You’re tasting, smelling, and asking questions in a relaxed space that feels more like a local wine lesson than a performance.

4:30pm timing: a two-hour plan that fits your dinner plans

Burgundy Wines Masterclass in Dijon - 4:30pm timing: a two-hour plan that fits your dinner plans
The masterclass begins at 4:30pm and runs about 2 hours. That timing is great if you want something structured in the afternoon, then you still have time to wander Dijon or get to a dinner reservation without sprinting across town.

If you need a different time slot, they say to get in touch and they’ll try to accommodate. That flexibility can matter if you’re juggling museum hours, a train schedule, or a wine shop stop later.

WSET tasting coaching: how you learn to taste without guessing

Burgundy Wines Masterclass in Dijon - WSET tasting coaching: how you learn to taste without guessing
A big part of the value here is how the guide teaches you to taste. Before you get carried away with the pleasure of drinking Burgundy, you get a clear method for what to do first and what to notice next.

The approach is based on the Wine & Spirit Education Trust systematic method. The guide is trained to a high level in London and brings around ten years of leading tastings for both amateurs and professionals. Translation for you: you get both structure and personality, and the class stays understandable even when Burgundy gets complicated.

Then the lesson moves beyond basic advice. You’ll be guided through what different aromas can mean, with scent exercises that help you spot categories like fruit, spice, and floral. It’s the kind of training that makes you more confident the next time you’re in a wine shop or reading a Burgundy label at a restaurant.

Six Burgundy wines, including some 1er cru, plus a blind tasting moment

Burgundy Wines Masterclass in Dijon - Six Burgundy wines, including some 1er cru, plus a blind tasting moment
You can expect 6 Burgundy wines during the session, and some include 1er cru selections. That detail is important. Burgundy is famous for its classification system, and seeing (and tasting) higher tiers early helps you understand what people actually mean when they talk about the “cru” ladder.

On top of that guided tasting, you may also get a blind tasting segment. This is one of the most loved parts in the experience set, because it forces your senses to work harder and makes the later wine comparisons feel sharper.

The guide doesn’t just hand you a glass and hope for the best. You taste, then you talk. You smell, then you connect. And the class doesn’t try to turn you into an expert overnight. It gives you tools you can reuse, fast.

Crus, grapes, and production rules, taught in plain language

Burgundy Wines Masterclass in Dijon - Crus, grapes, and production rules, taught in plain language
Burgundy’s reputation comes from a maze of rules. This masterclass helps you map that maze.

You’ll learn:

  • How to taste properly using the structured method
  • The different areas within Burgundy
  • How different grapes and styles show up in the glass
  • The history and culture that shape the region
  • The rules of production, explained clearly
  • How to read a Burgundy label and understand what it’s trying to tell you

One of the practical wins is the way the class takes “complicated rules” and turns them into a sequence you can follow. That matters because Burgundy’s system can feel intimidating if you only experience it from restaurant lists or wine shop shelves.

By the end, you should feel comfortable connecting classification terms to taste and to place. You won’t just know names. You’ll know what to look for and what to taste for next.

Cheese and charcuterie pairings that teach you what to notice

Burgundy Wines Masterclass in Dijon - Cheese and charcuterie pairings that teach you what to notice
Food here is not an afterthought. During the activity, you’re served a cheese and charcuterie plate made from local selections. That pairing has two big benefits for your learning.

First, it gives you an immediate comparison point. When you switch from wine to cheese, the guide can help you understand why a wine suddenly tastes different, or why certain flavors seem to pop or soften.

Second, it teaches the practical side of Burgundy. You’ll start to recognize how acidity, texture, and aroma respond to food. That means you can use the lessons at dinner the same night, not just in theory.

A few extras show up depending on the day. One account mentions homemade gougeres by the guide’s mother. You might find small surprises like that, but the confirmed core is the local cheese and charcuterie pairing.

Matthieu and Pauline: when the guide adapts to your level

Burgundy Wines Masterclass in Dijon - Matthieu and Pauline: when the guide adapts to your level
This is built for beginners and experts. The class is small, with a maximum group size of 9 travelers, and it’s described as a private-style experience where you can ask questions freely.

In practice, that often means you get more direct attention than a big group tasting would allow. There are also reports of sessions running with just one person or a very small group, which makes the whole experience feel even more tailored.

Two guide names appear again and again: Matthieu and Pauline. Both are described as warm, friendly, and able to explain Burgundy step-by-step in English. If you care about your session staying at your exact level, that adaptability is a real advantage.

Also worth noting: the guide doesn’t just talk wine. In some sessions, you get recommendations for wine venues and dining around the region, and you might receive practical info on shipping wine so you can consolidate purchases into one shipment.

Price and value: is $110.10 worth it in Dijon?

Burgundy Wines Masterclass in Dijon - Price and value: is $110.10 worth it in Dijon?
At $110.10 per person, the smart way to judge this is what’s included, not what you’d pay for a single glass elsewhere.

You’re getting:

  • 6 Burgundy wines, including some 1er cru
  • A structured tasting lesson focused on how to taste and understand Burgundy
  • Cheese and charcuterie pairing during the session
  • A guide with serious credentials and years of experience leading tastings

When you price that against buying multiple bottles or doing a purely educational tour without food and guided tasting, it starts to make sense. This is a concentrated format. You’re not spending a whole day on vineyards. You’re spending about two hours learning the logic of Burgundy while drinking and eating.

And it helps that the overall rating is 5 stars with 139 reviews, and the experience is described as recommended by everyone who booked it. That level of consistency usually signals that the class works for real people with real levels of wine knowledge.

Who should book this (and who might skip it)

I’d recommend this masterclass if you want a smart, practical education without turning your vacation into homework. It’s especially good if you:

  • Feel intimidated by Burgundy classification and want a clear path
  • Want to taste beyond the basics, including 1er cru pours
  • Like learning through scent, comparison, and food pairing
  • Want a small group setting where you can ask questions

I’d think twice if:

  • You cannot participate in tastings involving alcohol, since the experience serves alcohol
  • You have dietary needs or intolerances and haven’t pre-communicated them, because the team needs this info ahead of time

If you’re traveling as a couple, this also works well. Small-group tastings make it easy to talk, not just listen.

Should you book this Dijon Burgundy Wine Masterclass?

If you want a high-value tasting that gives you real tools, I’d book it. The format is built for learning what matters in Burgundy: how to taste, how to understand crus, and how to read a label with confidence.

The best reason to go is that you leave with more than memories. You leave with a method and a language for what you smell and taste, plus a quick understanding of how Burgundy’s classification system translates into flavor.

If Burgundy is on your agenda anyway, this is a strong early stop. Even if you only plan to drink a little afterward, you’ll order with better instincts, and you’ll enjoy the experience more.

FAQ

Where is the meeting point for the Burgundy wine masterclass?

The tour starts at 1 Av. Junot, 21000 Dijon, France, and it ends back at the meeting point.

What time does the class start, and how long does it run?

The starting time is 4:30pm, and the duration is approximately 2 hours.

How many people are in the group?

The experience has a maximum of 9 travelers.

What wines and food are included?

You’ll taste 6 Burgundy wines, including some 1er cru selections. A cheese and charcuterie plate is served during the activity.

Is the masterclass offered in English, and can I request another language?

It is offered in English. German language might be available on request.

You need to let them know about any intolerance, allergy, or dietary requirements because food is served. If you have health issues linked with alcohol, they cannot let you join, so it’s important to inform them in advance.