answers
Frequently Asked Questions:
Can I invite my non-member friends to classes?
Yes, you can invite up to one other person to join you (e.g., a partner, a friend) at your location, whether or not they are a member. Friends at another location, however, will need to sign up before they can join in.
You are also welcome to invite anyone to sign up for the monthly “Introduction to Tasting class”, free to non-members who would like to try out a class before deciding whether or not to join.
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 sometimes 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 1-2 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 stores with many choices”?].
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. Everyone shopping at different stores in fact 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. One aim of the 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 touched upon, it will be in the context of their effect on a wine’s flavor. The focus of Tango wine club classes is on learning wine types and characteristics – the savoring of wine – versus scientific learning of winemaking. Students interested in winemaking are certainly encouraged to seek formal classes in that area.
Will I learn about viticulture practices?
While viticulture practices will sometimes be touched upon, it will be in the context of their effect on the outcome of wine. The focus of Tango wine club classes is on learning 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. Requests for cancellation 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.