An International Wine Educator

The Académie du Vin hosts acclaimed courses and tasting experiences not only in Toronto but also in Las Vegas and Miami in the USA, as well as in Mexico and London, UK—bringing our signature style of wine education to curious palates around the world.

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Wine Education and Appreciation with Marc Nadeau | Chats from the Wine Cellar

Yule Georgieva of InVintory and Marc Nadeau talk about the Academie du Vin, but also Academie du Vin Library which is a sister company of sorts that Steven founded to publish great wine books.

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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.

Steven Spurrier

1941 – 2021

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 and wine tasting events, the Academie du Vin encourages our guests to discover wine tasting and appreciation through an experiential approach, sharing our wine-making and tasting knowledge in a convivial setting, supporting your senses and learning.

It’s a place and modern community focused on a passion for fine wine. It allows us to share our interests with like-minded people who have an innate curiosity, but without the intimidation factor.

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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 Judgement 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.

In The Beginning

1973

The Academie du Vin was established in Paris in 1973 by Steven Spurrier as France’s first private bilingual wine school.

The Judgement of Paris

1976

A wine competition pitting some of the finest wines in France against unknown California bottles, the Paris Wine Tasting revolutionized the wine world. The outcome was considered a foregone conclusion, but the Californian wine rated best in both Chardonnay and red categories, which caused surprise as France was generally regarded as being the foremost producer of the world’s best wines

Branching Out

1987

The Academie du Vin travelled across multiple continents to spread the art of tasting. A Japanese branch in Tokyo was established as the first and biggest wine school in the region, now with four locations turning out more than 30,000 graduates.

Establishing Roots

1987

Within the same year, the Toronto location was opened to give those who were passionate about wine the tools necessary to enjoy, explore, and critique a wine without obtaining formal Sommelier Certification.

Present Day

2020

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Widely recognized as the preeminent wine school in Canada, The Academie du Vin has influenced many wine connoisseurs for over thirty years; by ushering a resurgence for wine appreciation through appealing to a new generation of enthusiasts. The Academie du Vin offers a welcoming and stimulating experience that imparts our unsurpassed knowledge and skills, making the tools of tasting wine accessible and enjoyable.

Our Founders

Steven Spurrier (1941 – 2021)

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Marc Nadeau

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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

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