Amsterdam: High Wine at wine bar Paskamer, 3-rounds

The best part of Paskamer’s High Wine is its simple idea: three good wines, three matching bites, and a sommelier explaining the logic behind each pairing. You get more than a drink at a wine bar, but less than a full meal, which makes this a neat fit before dinner or during an afternoon in De Pijp.

I like the small, private-group setting and the chance to ask questions without feeling trapped in a formal class. I also like that the food is chosen to support the wine, rather than arriving as random bar snacks. The main thing to keep in mind is portion size: this is a tasting, not dinner.

Key points at a glance

• Three wine-and-food pairings: Each round includes one quality wine and one small bite selected to complement it.
• WSET-certified sommeliers: You’ll receive an explanation of the wine and why its food match works.
• De Pijp setting: Paskamer gives you a relaxed base in one of Amsterdam’s popular neighbourhoods.
• About 90 minutes of tasting: The overall booking window is listed as two hours, so allow extra time around the tasting.
• Private group format: The experience is arranged for your own group rather than a large shared crowd.
• Easy to extend: You can add a fourth wine and bite for EUR 11 per person, or request more food and wine.

Three glasses, three small lessons in De Pijp

Paskamer’s High Wine is built around three rounds. In each one, you receive a glass of wine and a small food pairing. The point is not to rush through three pours. It is to notice how the bite changes the wine, and how the wine changes the bite.

That structure works well for someone who likes wine but does not want a long lecture. Your sommelier explains the wine in Dutch or English, then gives you the reason behind the pairing. You may hear about the balance between the food and the wine, the way a dish brings out a flavour, or why one style works better than another.

The experience is also more approachable than a formal tasting with a long list of unfamiliar terms. You can simply pay attention to what you like. If you enjoy one pairing more than another, that is useful information for your next bottle or restaurant order.

The portions are intentionally modest. Three bites will not replace a full dinner, and the food selection is not described as a series of full courses. Think of it as a polished wine-bar tasting with enough food to make the wine pairings meaningful.

What happens when you arrive at Paskamer

Your starting point is Wijnbar Paskamer in De Pijp. The venue is presented as a local wine bar rather than a sightseeing stop, so the appeal is the tasting itself and the chance to spend time in a neighbourhood setting.

The bar was named Wine Bar of the Year in the Netherlands in 2022. That award does not guarantee that every wine will suit your taste, but it gives you useful context. Paskamer takes wine seriously, while the format remains social and relatively easygoing.

The group is private, which matters if you want the tasting to feel personal. You can ask questions about the wines, explain what you normally enjoy, or tell the sommelier what you do not like. A large group can make that harder, especially when the focus moves quickly from one glass to the next.

You should plan for about 90 minutes for the High Wine itself. The advertised activity duration is two hours, so allow a little flexibility rather than scheduling a museum visit immediately afterward. The longer window may give you time to settle in, finish a round, or continue with additional food and wine.

How the three wine pairings work

The exact wines and bites can change, so you should not book this expecting a particular grape, country, or dish. The useful promise is the format: three quality wines paired with three small bites, selected by the Paskamer team.

That changing selection is part of the appeal. You are not simply ordering three glasses from a list. The staff decides which combinations best show the character of each wine. This gives you a chance to try a pairing you may not have chosen on your own.

The first round should help you settle into the format. You can listen to the sommelier’s introduction, taste the wine by itself, then try it with the bite. Pay attention to the contrast. A food pairing may make the wine seem softer, fruitier, sharper, or more structured.

The second round gives you another comparison. By this stage, you will have a clearer idea of how the tasting works, and you can ask more specific questions. If you are curious about a grape, a region, or the style of wine in your glass, this is a good time to ask.

The third round completes the planned tasting. Three pours are enough to give you variety without turning the experience into a long drinking session. Still, pace yourself. This is a guided tasting, not a challenge to finish as quickly as possible.

A verified May 2025 rating from Timothy in Hong Kong specifically praised the food and its pairing with the wine. That matches the main reason to choose this experience: the food is not an afterthought. The bites are small, but they are there to demonstrate how the wine works with food.

Why the sommelier guidance matters

A wine tasting can be disappointing when the explanation stays vague. Paskamer uses WSET-certified sommeliers, so you can expect the staff to have formal wine training and to explain the choices behind the pairings.

That does not mean you need any wine knowledge before arriving. The format suits beginners because the food gives you a practical way to understand the wine. Instead of trying to identify every scent, you can ask a more useful question: does the bite make the wine taste better to me?

For people who already know a fair bit about wine, the value is different. You can ask about the reason for a pairing, compare the style with wines you have tried elsewhere, or use the session to sharpen your own preferences. The private-group setup should make this easier than a fixed lecture.

The language choice is also practical. The tasting is available in Dutch or English, so English-speaking visitors can follow the explanations without needing a translation. No individual sommelier names are provided, but the experience is guided by the Paskamer team.

The De Pijp location and timing

De Pijp is a useful area for this kind of stop because it works well as part of a wider day in Amsterdam. You can plan the tasting as an afternoon break, an early evening activity, or a pre-dinner stop.

Paskamer is not presented as a major attraction that requires a long visit around the building. The draw is the wine bar, the pairing, and the chance to slow down for a while. If you want a sightseeing-heavy activity with landmarks and narration, this is not that.

The timing is worth planning carefully. The tasting is described as lasting around 90 minutes, while the booking information gives a two-hour duration. I would keep the rest of your schedule loose. Wine tastings often take longer when you ask questions or decide to order an extra round.

Because the portions are small, an early booking can work well before dinner. You can also use it as a relaxed afternoon tasting if you prefer not to drink on an empty stomach. The supplied information does not identify specific nearby restaurants, so choose your later meal separately rather than assuming the tasting will cover it.

Price and what you receive for $43

At about $43 per person, the High Wine is priced as a guided tasting rather than a simple bar visit. The package includes three quality wines, three matching bites, and a certified sommelier leading the session.

The value depends on what you want from the outing. If you are mainly looking for three drinks, ordering from a wine list may cost less or give you more choice. If you want help understanding why particular wines work with food, the instruction and pairing are what justify the price.

The small portions are an important part of this calculation. You are paying for three tasting combinations, not a three-course meal. I would not choose this as your only food plan for the evening unless you also arrange extra dishes.

For EUR 11 per person, you can add a fourth wine and bite. That is a reasonable option if your group wants a little more tasting without committing to a full meal. You can also ask to extend the visit with more food and wine. Add that request when booking so Paskamer can prepare for it.

Dietary needs and the limits of the package

You should include dietary requests with your booking. With advance notice, Paskamer can adjust the experience for different diets.

Do not wait until you arrive if you have an allergy, intolerance, or strict dietary requirement. The available information confirms that adjustments are possible with prior notice, but it does not list standard substitutions or specific menus. Early communication gives the team a better chance to prepare suitable bites.

The experience is not suitable for pregnant women or children under 18. That restriction is straightforward, since the central feature is a flight of alcoholic wines. Everyone in your group should be comfortable with a wine-focused activity.

Wheelchair access is available. If your group has specific access needs beyond that, it is sensible to confirm details before booking, since the supplied information does not describe the layout of the bar.

Who will enjoy this High Wine most

I would recommend Paskamer to couples, friends, and small private groups who want an easy wine activity in Amsterdam without giving up a full evening. It is especially useful if you like trying unfamiliar wines but want some guidance on what you are tasting.

It also suits people who enjoy food pairing more than wine drinking alone. The bites give each glass a purpose, and the sommelier’s explanation helps you understand the connection.

This is a good choice for a celebratory afternoon, a relaxed date, or a break from sightseeing. The private format gives the occasion a more personal feel than a large public tasting.

I would be more cautious if you are very hungry, prefer full pours, or want to choose every wine yourself. The portions are small, the wines are selected for you, and the experience has a clear tasting focus.

The score of 4.6 from 10 ratings suggests a strong response overall, but it is still a small sample. The most specific praise available focuses on the quality of the food pairing, which is also the feature most likely to determine whether you enjoy the experience.

Booking details worth knowing

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the experience for a full refund. A reserve-now-and-pay-later option is available, which helps if your Amsterdam schedule is still shifting.

The activity is offered in Dutch and English. It is arranged as a private group, and the available start times depend on the date you select.

Plan for roughly 90 minutes of tasting, but keep two hours free so you are not rushing. If you want extra food, another wine, or a longer stay, add a note when booking. The fourth round costs EUR 11 per person, and more extensive food and wine can be arranged on request.

Should you book Paskamer’s High Wine?

Book it if you want a small, guided wine-and-food tasting in De Pijp, especially if you enjoy learning by comparing a drink with a bite. The sommelier guidance, private group format, and option to add another round make the experience more flexible than a basic wine flight.

Skip it if you need a full dinner, want a large amount of wine, or prefer to select every glass yourself. For most people, the best plan is to treat Paskamer as a polished pre-dinner tasting and budget for another meal afterward.

FAQ

How many wines are included?

The experience includes three quality wines, served as three separate glasses.

How many food pairings are included?

You receive three small food bites, with one bite matched to each wine.

Is this a full dinner?

No. The portions are small and are not intended to replace a full dinner.

How long does the High Wine last?

You should reserve about 90 minutes for the tasting. The overall activity duration is listed as two hours.

Can I add another wine and bite?

Yes. You can add one extra wine and bite for a supplement of EUR 11 per person.

Can I extend the experience with more food?

Yes. You can request more food and wine, and you should leave a note with your booking if you want to extend your stay.

Who leads the tasting?

The tasting is guided by WSET-certified sommeliers from Paskamer.

Is the experience available in English?

Yes. The experience is offered in Dutch and English.

Is Paskamer wheelchair accessible?

Yes. The activity is listed as wheelchair accessible.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.