Following the excellent feedback from our latest event, we’re thrilled to share the full session with award-winning wine educator Paul Declerck, a fourth-generation winemaker from France’s Loire Valley and bestselling author of “How to Appreciate Wine.”
In this first instalment of our exclusive four-part series, Paul introduces his game-changing FIVE POINTS METHOD, a simple, universal framework that transforms wine from intimidating mystery to confident mastery. By the end of this session, you’ll be able to score ANY wine out of 100 points using the same criteria the world’s top wine critics rely on.
Whether you’re a complete beginner standing baffled in front of a wall of bottles, or a curious enthusiast wanting to taste with more intention, this session gives you instant expertise to bring to your very next dinner party.
🍷 WHAT YOU’LL LEARN IN PART 1:
– What wine actually is (and why it’s so complex)
– The difference between ENJOYING a wine and APPRECIATING its quality
– Point 1 — Intensity of the Nose
– Point 2 — Complexity of the Aromas
– Point 3 — Intensity of the Palate
– Point 4 — Balance of the Wine
– Point 5 — The Finish
– How to combine all five points into your own personal score out of 100
– Bonus Q&A
⏰ JOIN US LIVE FOR PART 2 — WINE REGIONS DECODED
📅 Tuesday, 13 May 2026
Paul takes us deep into the great wine regions of France and beyond, building beautifully on the foundation laid in Part 1.
👉 Bonjour Paris members can register for the remaining sessions here:
https://bonjourparis.com/bonjour-paris-live/
📚 PAUL DECLERCK’S RESOURCES:
🌐 Wine school: https://howtoappreciatewine.com/
📖 Get the book: The French 5 Points Method: https://howtoappreciatewine.com/products/the-french-5-points-method-book
⏱️ TIMESTAMPS:
00:00 Welcome & introduction
02:00 Meet Paul Declerck — Loire Valley winemaker
03:00 Why the Five Points Method exists
05:00 Wine and the art of creating moments
06:00 A peek inside the world of fine wine investment (Cult Wines)
08:00 What is wine? The basics
09:00 The three things to check in every glass
11:30 Enjoying vs appreciating a wine — the key distinction
13:00 The legacy of Robert Parker and the 100-point system
15:00 The Five Points Method revealed
17:00 Point 1 — Intensity of the Nose (the “face as a scale” trick)
19:00 Point 2 — Complexity of the Aromas (primary, secondary, tertiary)
22:00 Point 3 — Intensity of the Palate
24:00 Point 4 — Balance (acidity vs alcohol)
27:00 Point 5 — The Finish
28:00 Putting it all together — your own score out of 100
29:30 Q&A: dessert wines
31:30 Q&A: should you swirl?
32:50 Q&A: how to develop your palate
34:30 Q&A: prep before a wine tasting
36:00 Q&A: tannins explained
38:30 Q&A: which French region scores highest?
41:30 Q&A: ageing New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc
43:00 Q&A: how long to decant reds, whites & rosés
45:30 Q&A: Bordeaux vs Napa Valley
48:00 Q&A: best methods to preserve an open bottle
49:30 Q&A: which vintages to drink in 2026
51:00 Q&A: “Reserve” and “Cuvée” — meaningful or marketing?
52:30 Q&A: light, medium & full-bodied wines
53:30 Q&A: small vs large producers
54:30 Q&A: Paul’s honest opinion on Vivino vs Wine Searcher
56:30 Q&A: do Coravin systems really work?
57:30 Wrap-up & Part 2 preview
⚠️ Please drink responsibly and in accordance with local laws and legal drinking ages.
#WineEducation #FrenchWine #FivePointsMethod #BonjourParis #PaulDeclerck #WineTasting #LearnAboutWine