One smart hour and you’ll feel like you know the difference. The Paskamer High Wine turns Amsterdam’s De Pijp into a relaxed tasting session, with three rounds of wine matched to small bites, explained by WSET certified sommeliers in a lively wine bar that has been named Wine Bar of the Year in the Netherlands (2022).

I love the clear pairing logic. Each pour comes with a bite chosen to match it, and the guidance helps you understand why the combination works.

One thing to consider, this is not a full dinner. Portions are intentionally small, so if you arrive hungry, plan to eat before or ask to extend with more food and wine.

Key takeaways

• Three rounds: three wines paired with three matching bites
• WSET certified guidance that explains the why behind each pairing
• De Pijp atmosphere at a wine bar that’s been recognized as a top spot in the Netherlands
• Small portions by design, so pair it with a real meal plan
• Optional extra round for a bit more drinking and eating
• Dietary needs supported if you tell them in advance

De Pijp and Paskamer, a wine tasting that feels like going out

Amsterdam can be intense. Paskamer High Wine offers a calmer pace, in the De Pijp neighborhood, where you can find locals and a steady buzz instead of museum energy.

Paskamer itself is the kind of place you want to return to after the tasting. It’s a wine bar experience, not a performance, and the setup supports conversation with your sommelier rather than forcing you through a rigid script.

It also helps that this bar was named Wine Bar of the Year in the Netherlands in 2022. That matters because it usually signals consistency: people show up, the team delivers, and the wine list is taken seriously.

What “high wine” means at Paskamer, and what you should expect

In Amsterdam, “high wine” is easy to misunderstand. Think of it as a guided tasting with food pairings, not a full meal. At Paskamer, you get three quality wines, each matched with a small bite designed to complement what’s in your glass.

The staff is very clear about the tradeoff: the portions are smaller than what you’d get in a normal dinner. That is not a flaw, it’s the point. Small bites let you focus on how flavors change with each pour, instead of stuffing yourself and losing the thread.

If you want more food after the three rounds, you can. The experience is set up so you can extend your stay for additional food and wine, but the base High Wine is built to stay light and tasting-focused.

Your three-round itinerary, how the tasting flows

The whole session is built around a simple rhythm: wine first, bite next, then a quick explanation that ties them together. You start at Wijnbar Paskamer and stay there through the tasting in the De Pijp area.

Round One: the tone setter

Round One is where you get oriented. You’ll taste the first wine, then get a small bite that’s meant to match it. This is usually the easiest pairing to enjoy because your palate is freshest, and the sommelier can set expectations for the kinds of flavors you’ll notice next.

What I like here is that the pairing is not random. The bite is served to make the wine taste better, not to distract you. The goal is balance.

Round Two: the pairing challenge

Round Two tends to be where the tasting becomes more interesting. You’ll get your second glass of wine with another bite that responds to it. This is often where you start noticing how acidity, texture, and fruitiness interact with food.

If you’ve ever had wine and food that did not quite match, this is the opposite. The small portion means you can actually compare what you’re tasting without feeling overfull.

Round Three: finishing strong, learning more than you expected

Round Three is both the finale and the wrap-up lesson. You’ll have your third wine and bite, and the sommelier will explain the logic behind the final combination.

This is also the round where I think the experience earns its keep. You walk away with a better instinct for matching flavors, because you’re not just drinking, you’re hearing why the bite works with the wine.

The pacing

The tasting itself feels like a focused sit-down, and the total experience is listed as 2 hours. You’re also advised to reserve around 90 minutes for the high wine experience. I treat that as: plan enough time that you are not rushing the conversation, especially if you want to ask questions.

WSET certified sommeliers, and how the explanations help

One of the biggest reasons to do a guided tasting is not the wine. It’s the context. At Paskamer, the guidance comes from WSET certified sommeliers, and you can feel the structure in how they talk about the wines and pairings.

They explain why they chose each combination. That matters because you start tasting with a purpose. Instead of asking, Is this wine good?, you start asking, What does this wine do to the bite, and what does the bite do to the wine?

I also appreciated the practical side of the way they share the info. It’s not academic in a way that makes you feel tested. You’re simply handed better tasting tools.

Language and comfort

The experience is offered with instruction in Dutch and English. That gives you an easier path to ask follow-up questions if something doesn’t make sense right away.

Price and value, plus what the optional extra round costs

At $43 per person, you get three quality wines and three matching bites, with a certified guide. That’s a fair structure for a tasting where the team is actively teaching you and pairing each glass with food.

If you compare it to buying wine at a bar, the value is less about the glass price and more about what you get alongside it: food pairings and guided explanations. For me, that turns the experience into learning plus a nice night out, not just drinking.

There is also an option to add more. For a supplement of EUR 11 per person, you can add an extra round of 1 wine and 1 bite. This is a smart add-on if you want to stay longer or if you realize you are enjoying a style of wine from earlier rounds.

Timing, diet needs, and planning your Amsterdam night

This is a small, focused experience, so how you plan matters.

Reserve time like a pro

The experience duration is listed as 2 hours, and you’re asked to reserve around 90 minutes for the high wine itself. Either way, treat it as a seated event. Don’t stack it back-to-back with another reservation where you feel rushed. Amsterdam is great, but you will walk.

Dietary wishes

If you have dietary needs, tell them in advance. With prior notice, the team is able to adjust for your diet. That’s important because pairing is built on flavor, so adjustments need to be planned, not improvised.

A good move: include your dietary requirements clearly when you book, so they can build substitutions that still fit the pairing concept.

Who this suits best

This is ideal if you want:

• A guided wine tasting with food pairings
• A relaxed, social atmosphere in De Pijp
• A short activity that feels special but not intense

It also fits well if you like learning, but you want it delivered in plain language. That WSET certified guidance makes the experience feel organized without being stuffy.

Who should skip

It is not suitable for pregnant women and children under 18. So keep that in mind when you are planning with family.

Should you book the Paskamer High Wine?

If you want a wine evening that is guided, structured, and actually educational, I think this is a solid choice. The strongest thing here is the pairing itself. The food is good, and the match with the wine is the point, not an afterthought.

Book it if:

• You like wine but you also want to understand what you’re tasting
• You want a comfortable De Pijp outing that lasts about two hours
• You appreciate WSET certified explanations and careful pairing choices

Skip it if:

• You’re expecting a full dinner with big portions
• You want a casual grab-and-go drink with no guidance
• You fall into one of the groups it is not suitable for

One extra practical note: the experience lists free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and there is a reserve and pay later option. That makes it easier to commit without turning your plans into a stress test.

FAQ

How long is the Paskamer High Wine experience?

The experience is listed as 2 hours. You are also advised to reserve around 90 minutes for the high wine experience, so plan for a relaxed sit-down rather than a rushed stop.

What exactly is included in the High Wine at Paskamer?

You get three quality wines and three matching bites. You also receive guidance from a certified sommelier during the rounds.

Can I add an extra round of wine and food?

Yes. For a supplement of EUR 11 per person, you can add an extra round that includes 1 wine and 1 bite.

Do you adjust the pairing for dietary needs?

You can. You should inform the team about your dietary wishes with your booking. With prior notice, they can adjust to any diet.

Is a High Wine the same as a full dinner?

No. A high wine cannot be seen as a complete dinner including wine pairing. Portions are smaller than normal dishes, though you can opt to extend your stay for more food and wine.

Is it wheelchair accessible, and what languages are spoken?

The venue is wheelchair accessible. The experience is guided in Dutch and English.

Who is the experience not suitable for?

It is not suitable for pregnant women and children under 18 years old.