The 7 Best Wine and Food Pairing Experiences

1.Pisa, Siena and San Gimignano Day Trip with Lunch & Wine Pairing

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 6,006 reviews · 12 hours (approx.) · from $78Our pick

Leave Florence at 7:30 a.m. for Siena, San Gimignano, and Pisa. Choose guided Siena touring and a three-course winery lunch with wine pairing, then enjoy free time in the hill towns and at Pisa’s Square of Miracles. Guides such as Constantino, Sara, and Jacopo are noted for clear organization.

“My husband and I really enjoyed the day trip. We loved that we got to experience another part of Italy during our vacation. Highly recommended!”

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2.Port Wine Tasting with Cheese Pairing

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 1,074 reviews · 1 hour · from $30Best value

At Quevedo in Vila Nova de Gaia, you’ll taste three 40ml pours: Crusted, 10-Year-Old Tawny, and 2009 White Colheita Port. Each comes with a different cheese pairing. Guides such as Miguel, Bruna, Fernando, and Inês explain Port, the Douro Valley, and the family-run producer in a relaxed one-hour session.

“Really good tasting - very informative and both the port and cheese were excellent. For anyone who doesn’t like strong cheeses, this is perfect and the pairings were obviously well thought out. Would highly recommend.”

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3.Paella Cooking Class in Madrid with Bottomless Wine Pairing

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 985 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $143Top rated

At The Cooking Clubhouse on Calle de Atocha, you’ll cook paella in pairs with a professional chef, then share several paellas, tapas, desserts, and five Spanish wines at a communal table. The class runs about two and a half hours and welcomes up to 20 people.

“Look no further, this is the best cooking class! It’s a no pressure, fun and enjoyable and you get to meet people from different parts of the world. Great folks that make your experience amazing!”

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4.The Award-Winning Bilbao Food Tour & Wine Pairing by Basque Local

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 967 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $126

Join a Bilbao-born English-speaking guide such as Irene, Olaia, or Leire for a three-hour evening in Casco Viejo. Visit five bars, taste one or two freshly made pintxos at each, and pair them with five drinks, including wine, cider, and beer. Come hungry: this is dinner, not just a snack stop.

“Irene was a fantastic tour guide. She took us to so many wonderful places. Everything was delicious. We also learned about the Basque culture.”

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5.San Sebastian Food Tour: Pintxo Tasting Paired with Wines

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 493 reviews · 3 hours · from $117

Walk San Sebastian’s Parte Vieja with a local guide such as Jonathan, Francisco, Julen, or Beatriz. Taste eight pintxos at traditional bars, paired with three Spanish wines, cider, and a local liqueur. Small-group and private options make this a useful first evening in the city.

“We had a great time on the tour. Julen, our guide, was knowledgeable, happy to answer all of our questions and great fun. The food and wines were delicious and we loved that it was a small group. I recommend this tour.”

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6.Orecchiette Cooking Class and Wine Pairing in Lecce

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 205 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $80

At BALU’ Wine & Food in central Lecce, you’ll learn eggless orecchiette from local instructors, then taste Puglian wines with cheese, taralli, focaccia, cold cuts, bruschetta, dessert, and pasta. The two-hour class is social, hands-on, and limited to 16 people.

“We booked this last minute and are so happy we did. We had such a nice time learning how to make orecchiette and drinking wine. Definitely recommend!!”

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7.Durrës Countryside Vineyard Experience with Wine & Food Pairing

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 125 reviews · 4 to 5 hours (approx.) · from $95

Join a shared half-day trip from Durrës to a countryside vineyard with an English-speaking guide such as Mario or Erisa. Tour the vines and bunkers, taste Albanian grape varieties, raki, olive oil, cheeses, cured meats, olives, and bread, and enjoy views across the vineyard.

“Great experience. Mario picked us up from hotel and we headed to winery with some surprises for us along the way. He was a great tour guide answering our many questions about Albanian culture and customs. Duka winery staff were knowledgeable and so hospitable. Short boat ride on lake with a charcuterie board and some Rose was a great precursor to the remainder of the wine tasting. The food served alongside the remainder of wine tasting was delicious. There also looked to be a full menu that other guests ordered from, but what they served was plenty to accompany a wine tasting.”

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