answers

Frequently Asked Questions:

Do I have to have any pre-existing wine knowledge to join Tango Wine Club?

No; everyone at every level of wine knowledge is welcome! The workshops are designed with the beginner-to-internmediate wine-learner in mind, so if you are a more advanced student of wine, much of the content might be review.

I do recommend that most people start at the very beginning of a semester series so that they are there for the first class, which introduces in detail the formal elements of wine tasting (however, we will also do a brief review of this at every subsequent workshop anyway, so really, you can join any time).

Can I invite my non-member friends to classes?

Yes, you can invite up to one other person to join you (e.g., a friend, spouse/partner, roommate) at your location, whether or not they are a member.  Friends at another location, however, will need to join and obtain their own Zoom link.

How many wines do I have to buy?

Technically, you don’t have to purchase any wines. You could just come for the workshop, and not participate actively in the guided tasting portion. For participants who purchase wines, there will be 1-3 wines to taste per workshop, and on occasion, an additional 1-2 optional wines (for those students who have preservation systems allowing them to just take out a taste without opening the bottle, and who want a more in-depth look at that workshop’s wine types. Otherwise, most people don’t really want 4-5 unopened bottles of wine to consume over the weekend, unless they’re hosting a dinner party the next day!).

Are the wines expensive?

I try to keep the wines all under around $25-30. This can be a challenge, especially if there are rising prices due to certain economic factors. In most cases, there are different “quality” tiers of the same wine type, so students can choose the wines that better match their budgets. I do my best to include one or two quality levels that would be around $15-20 at most stores, for the budget-minded, as well as some higher-end options for those interested.

If there is a wine style that is almost *always* expensive, I will try to do a separate pop-up workshop featuring those wines. (Please do let me know if you’re someone interested in that; if there is enough interest, I’ll start offering these levels soon.)

How will I know what kinds of wines to buy?

After you register, you’ll receive a Members Shopping Guide with details about the wines for that semester’s series, and tips on how to select them from whichever store you are using.

Won’t my wines be different from everyone else’s if we’re all buying from different stores, in different cities and states?

Yes, but the idea is to learn the general characteristics of that varietal or style of wine. In fact, everyone shopping at different stores mimics real life – you might be traveling, or at a different wine store in your town than the one you usually go to, or at a new restaurant…so your choices are always changing. There are tens of thousands of wines in the world! One aim of Tango Wine Club is to help you adapt and be able to make educated guesses! Also, if you participate in the optional post-workshop breakout rooms and find that everyone is tasting different types of the same wine featured, it only adds to the conversation!

Will I learn about winemaking?

While winemaking processes will sometimes be mentioned, it will usually be in the context of their effect on a wine’s flavor. The focus of Tango wine club workshops is on learning wine types and characteristics – the savoring of wine – versus the scientific learning of winemaking. Students interested in winemaking are certainly encouraged to seek formal classes in that area. This is a rare topic in professional wine courses in general; I would recommend checking out oenology courses at universities offering these programs.

Will I learn about viticulture practices?

While viticulture practices will likewise sometimes be discussed, it will typically be in the context of their effect on the outcome of wine. The focus of Tango wine club workshops is on the learning of wine types and characteristics – the savoring of wine – versus viticulture and agricultural practices. Students interested in viticulture are certainly encouraged to seek formal classes in that area.

What is your refund policy?

You can request a full refund six (6) or more business days before the first workshop of a given semester series. Requests for cancellation that are made after that, but before the first workshop, will be honored, less a $40 cancellation fee. No refunds will be given beginning the day of the first workshop.