Academy Masterclass Wine Seminar: Exploring Champagne presented by Champagne Master Lieven DeGeyndt.  Grand Tasting Included.

Discover the World's Most Prestigious Sparkling Wine Through an Exploration of Different Styles Made from Multiple Grape Varietals by Small Producers in Champagne, France

This two-class courses includes admission to the Saturday VIP/Early Walk-Around Grand Tasting, mere steps away from the seminar area.

Your Ticket Includes the Following:

• Class #1 - Online & Taped via Zoom on Saturday, February 21, 2026, 10AM - 11:15AM, or anytime thereafter via taped replay
• Class #2 - LIVE at Main Street Station on Saturday, March 7, 2026, 9:15AM - 11:00AM: This class includes a comprehensive tasting of many Champagnes
• Saturday Afternoon VIP/Early Walk-Around Grand Tasting on Saturday, March 7, 2026, 11:00AM to 4:00PM: This event is literally steps away from the Academy masterclass and begins just as the Academy masterclass concludes.

Masterclass Details

In this Master Class's two sessions, you'll learn the truth of how and when champagne was discovered, why champagne would become known as the “drink of kings”, and why and how the Champagne region and brand is distinct from every other wine region in the world. Through tastings, Lieven will guide you through a range of champagne styles, going beyond the "yellow label" to discover small growers, limited productions, and styles most people never get the chance to try. From insider tips and myth-busting to "aha" moments with practical insights you can use long after the seminar ends. This is more than a tasting, it's a rare chance to learn directly from someone who has spent time in the vineyards of Champagne, studied the history, and is part of the global conversation on champagne and sparkling wines. Come explore champagne the way insiders (the Champenois) drink it, with curiosity, context, and maybe even a laugh. Seats are limited!  Secure your spot now and experience champagne the way insiders drink it: with context, curiosity, and maybe even a laugh.

About Champagne Master: Lieven DeGeyndt

Lieven DeGeyndt is one of the few voices in the U.S. who combines academic wine study with hands-on experience in Champagne itself. A Belgian native based in Washington, D.C., he is the founder of Sparkle-ist, a wine club dedicated exclusively to champagne and sparkling wine, and a noted educator and consultant for restaurants and private individuals. He's on a mission to show that champagne is not just for New Year's toasts, but for celebrating and enjoying any moment, any day —- and yes, it deserves better than the flute.

His path to the glass is shaped by deep roots: a family connection to farming, first-hand work in the 2024 and 2025 Champagne harvests, and champagne pairing dinner event collaborations with Michelin-starred chefs. He also educates restaurant teams, sommeliers, and conducts private tastings, always with the goal of making champagne feel less intimidating and a lot more fun. As a Champagne Master Level (Wine Scholar Guild), Certified Specialist of Wine, and current WSET Diploma candidate, Lieven offers attendees a rare combination of authority and accessibility, with dirt still under his nails from working alongside the growers and family producers who craft extraordinary bottles you'll never find in stores.

Special Discount for the Trade

The wine trade will receive a 20% discount on the cost to enroll in this class.  Interested members of the trade should e-mail Alex Papajohn at apapajohn@VariantEvents.com for details on trade enrollment.