Jessica B.
Yelp
I purchased my bf a Groupon for a wine tasting class for two, because he's just started to like reds and I thought it'd be a fun thing for us to do together. It was...fun. Interesting and slightly amusing as well. I don't think I feel any overwhelming need to go to this again though -- I'd rather hit up an actual winery up in the GA mountains next time.
We arrived early (well, actually, at 6:45, which is what their website tells everyone to do). We were encouraged to go "explore" the neighborhood, which we did, returning right at 7 p.m. The inside of the Wine Shoe is really cool, and it's a great, intimate set-up for the wine tastings. We had a wide variety of wines to try; sparkling, whites and reds. We recieved backgrounds on all of them.
What I liked: All the wines are unique and from small-time producers who only make pure wine, no sulfites or other additives. The booklet we got at the beginning of class gave a brief overview of each wine, and also gave wine facts and tips (nearly all I didn't know -- I'll keep the book). All the wines were inexpensive. The tastings we had ranged from about $10-$19 per bottle (we got 2 we liked before leaving). They also have a reasonably priced monthly wine club membership. I walked around after the class to see the other wines in stock and I think the most expensive variety was about $50, so it's cool that they are unique but not out of this world expensive. Also, free parking!! And lots of cool restaurants and bars within walking distance.
What I didn't like as much: I understand this is all about "tasting" and not "drinking," but she was a little heavy on some people's pours and a little light on others (you were supposed to get 3 sips out of each pour, I was lucky to get 2. I think she used a heavy hand for the older people around the table, and skimped on us 20-somethings). Note, if you expect some small food pairings for a wine tasting, you will not get that here. They want you to only experience the taste of the wine. For the cost of a couple to take the class, I'd say it's a tad overpriced (Groupon makes it much more worthwhile).
Side note: Adrian J.'s review is a spot-on summation of Teresa, the instructor. If I had to sum that lady up in one word, it'd be "kook." Like him, we also thought the (very nice) lady who checked us in would be our instructor, but nope! Teresa was very Europeanesque and kinda funny -- but she also told a lot of irrelevant stories about her travels to wine countries, with less informatino about actual wines. And she was a bit condescending to everyone (minus the one French guy in the class). I would even say she was a bit rude to me after giving some unclear directions about where she wanted everyone's wine glasses to be placed. My bf made a point to be the "class clown" (she told him she was going to have to put him in time-out -- yes, 5th grade all over again), so he kept me entertained. I basically had to just laugh about the awkwardness around the table. And like Joshua L. mentioned, she appears to be tipsy all the time. Maybe just her personality? Or maybe she just loves that wine...