Three pours, one great wine lesson. I love how the WSET-certified sommeliers explain the thinking behind each pairing, and I love that it all happens in Amsterdam’s De Pijp neighborhood at Wijnbar Paskamer. It’s a focused, hands-on way to get better at tasting without turning it into a homework assignment.

The format is simple and satisfying: 3 quality wines matched with 3 small bites, served over the course of the experience. Paskamer also holds the Wine Bar of the Year title in the Netherlands for 2022, so you’re not just paying for glasses, you’re paying for care and consistency.

One catch to plan for: a high wine is not a full dinner. The portions are intentionally small, so if you’re hungry-hungry, you’ll want to extend the stay or eat beforehand.

Key highlights you’ll actually feel

• WSET-certified sommeliers guide you through each wine-and-bite pairing
• Three rounds: 3 glasses of wine and 3 matching bites
• De Pijp location at Wijnbar Paskamer, a lively Amsterdam neighborhood
• Wine Bar of the Year (Netherlands 2022) sets a high bar for the experience
• You can add an extra round for EUR 11 if you want more food and wine

De Pijp start: Wijnbar Paskamer sets the tone fast

Your high wine begins at Wijnbar Paskamer in Amsterdam, in the De Pijp area. This matters more than it sounds. De Pijp is one of those neighborhoods where you can feel local life around you without needing to chase famous landmarks. You’ll get the “I’m here for an experience” vibe quickly, rather than spending your time just trying to find your way.

This is also run as a private group experience. That typically means the pacing is calmer and you’re more likely to get direct attention from the sommelier guiding your tasting. If you’re the type who asks questions (or wants to without feeling put on the spot), this format is a good fit.

Paskamer is also wheelchair accessible, which is a real plus in Amsterdam where some places are not. If you’re going with mixed mobility needs, you can plan with more confidence.

And since you’re paying for a wine bar with an award behind it, you can expect the staff to treat the tasting like something they care about, not just a quick product sale. The average rating is 4.6 out of 5 across 10 bookings, which lines up with the main idea: the pairings should work.

How the three rounds of High Wine work (3 wines, 3 bites)

The heart of the experience is the “high wine” set: three rounds, each with a glass of wine plus a bite that matches it. You’ll get the wines and bites in a sequence, not all at once. That sequencing is the trick. It keeps you paying attention to how flavors build and change from one glass to the next.

Here’s what that looks like in plain terms:

• You’ll drink 3 quality wines across the session.
• You’ll eat 3 matching bites, designed to complement what’s in your glass.
• Your guide will explain what you’re tasting and why the pairing makes sense.

The bites are small. That’s not a flaw—it’s the point of this style. The high wine concept is about tasting and learning through short, focused portions. Think of it like a tasting menu’s smaller, more wine-forward cousin.

Also, the experience is not meant to replace a full meal. The description is clear that you should not expect dinner-level portions. If you want to leave satisfied, come with a plan: either eat lightly before you arrive, or plan to add more during your stay.

Why the WSET-certified sommelier part matters

A lot of wine tastings stop at flavor descriptions. This one is built around explanation from WSET-certified sommeliers, and that changes what you get out of it.

What I like about this kind of guided pairing is that it trains your ear and palate to notice the links between things:

• how acidity can affect how a bite tastes
• how sweetness or tannin can change the texture you experience
• how the guide’s selection helps you taste wine as a full experience, not a standalone drink

You’re not just being poured at. You’re being taught how to connect the dots, and the guide also explains why specific combinations were chosen. That’s especially helpful if you don’t already speak wine vocabulary. You can follow along using taste and logic, not pretended expertise.

Language is also covered: the sommeliers speak Dutch and English, so you won’t get stuck if you’re not fluent in Dutch. And because this is a private group experience, questions feel more natural in the flow of the tasting.

Wine, food, and the award effect: what you’re really paying for

The price is $43 per person, and that number only makes sense when you look at what’s included: 3 wines, 3 matching bites, and guided service by a certified sommelier.

In other words, you’re not paying purely for the wine. You’re paying for:

1) the selection of wines,

2) the matching food bites,

3) the coaching and explanation that turns drinking into a learning moment.

Paskamer’s Wine Bar of the Year (Netherlands 2022) title is a signal that their wine program is treated seriously. It doesn’t guarantee perfection in every pour, but it’s a strong clue that the bar invests in quality and consistency.

The add-on round option (EUR 11)

If you want more, you can add an extra round: EUR 11 per person for 1 additional wine and bite. This is useful because the high wine format is intentionally lighter than dinner. If you find the first three rounds hit the spot and you want the same pace for longer, that add-on gives you a controlled way to extend without turning the evening into an unplanned food marathon.

Timing tips: plan for 90 minutes, expect up to 2 hours

The experience is listed with a 2-hour duration, and you’re also advised to reserve around 90 minutes for the high wine. That’s not unusual. Booking windows can include a little extra time for seating, introductions, and the rhythm of service.

My practical advice: give yourself a bit of buffer. If your schedule is tight, aim to block about 90 minutes of real tasting time, and treat the full booking as closer to 2 hours once you account for arrival and the way the service unfolds.

Also, with tastings like this, you’ll enjoy it more if you don’t walk in rushing. Arrive with time to settle in, grab the correct seat, and get your first pairing without feeling like you’re sprinting through the best part.

Dietary wishes: what to do before you book

One thing I appreciate here is that dietary needs can be handled with prior notice. The experience notes that you should inform the team about dietary wishes when you book. With advance information, they’re able to adjust.

That means you shouldn’t show up with a last-minute restriction and hope for luck. If you’re vegetarian, have allergies, or avoid specific ingredients, put it in the booking notes early so they have time to plan the matching bites around your wine rounds.

Since the entire experience is built on pairing, having the right food matters. The goal isn’t just to hand you a substitute—it’s to keep the wine-and-bite logic intact.

Who should book High Wine at Paskamer (and who shouldn’t)

This is a great match if you want:

• guided wine learning with a certified sommelier
• a structured format (3 rounds) instead of a messy, free-for-all tasting
• good food pairing in a relaxed Amsterdam neighborhood setting

It’s also ideal for a date or a small group that wants quality without committing to a full multi-course dinner.

Skip it if:

• you’re expecting a full dinner experience (the portions are small by design)
• you’re traveling with children under 18
• you’re pregnant (it’s listed as not suitable)

One more real-life note: because this is a wine-focused experience, the tasting pace can be hard to enjoy if you’re trying to minimize alcohol. If that’s your situation, it’s worth thinking through whether you want a wine-centered night or a lighter food-first evening.

Should you book this High Wine at Paskamer?

Yes, if you want a guided, wine-forward evening where the food is built to match the glass. The mix of WSET-certified sommeliers, three planned rounds, and an award-winning wine bar gives you structure and quality for the $43 price.

Don’t book it expecting a dinner replacement. If you want to eat well, plan to either arrive hungry enough for small bites or plan to add more with the extra round option.

If your goal is to learn how pairings actually work, this is the kind of experience that makes you leave with better tasting instincts, not just a full stomach.

FAQ

What’s included in the High Wine experience?

You get three quality wines and three matching bites, guided by a certified sommelier.

How long does the High Wine last?

The experience duration is listed as 2 hours, and you’re advised to reserve around 90 minutes for the experience.

Can you accommodate dietary requirements?

Yes. You should inform the team about dietary wishes when you book, and with prior notice they can adjust the experience for your diet.

What languages are the guides speaking?

The sommelier/instructor is listed as speaking Dutch and English.

How much does an extra round cost?

For a supplement of EUR 11 per person, you can add one extra wine and bite.

Is the experience suitable for children or pregnancy?

It’s listed as not suitable for pregnant women and children under 18.