An in-depth knowledge of wine can enliven humdrum dinner parties, just as an in-depth knowledge of dynamite fishing can enliven foundering job interviews. Give palates an executive education with today’s Groupon: for $20, you get an Introduction to the World of Wine class and a bottle of wine at Vino Vitae (up to a $50 value).

At Vino Vitae, burgeoning epicureans enter into the ranks of knowledgeable winos with the winery's slate of glass-clinking classes. An informal meet and greet begins each 90-minute class, where students sip on bubbly or an aperitif and discuss the evening's topics. The palate-educating sessions arm taste buds with the tools to unlock any wine's grape secrets, and Vito Vitae's hands-on approach leaves hands purple and minds well informed on a range of varietals. Held outdoors on warm months or beside the gourmet shop's bar during winter, the intimate setting is ideal for cuddling with a favorite bottle of vino and affords beginning sippers ample one-on-one time with the instructor. Once brain buckets are full of grapey knowledge, pupils are packed off to home with a selected bottle of wine from the evening's tasting, and bottles of each wine tasted are discounted for purchase the day of the class. Vino Vitae also hosts weekly wine socials, wine-club meetings, and a variety of customized classes for the adventurous palate.