An in-depth knowledge of wine can enliven humdrum dinner parties, just as an in-depth knowledge of Star Trek can enliven foundering job interviews. Give palates an executive education with today’s Groupon: for $12, you get a Wine 101 class for two at Mount Pleasant Winery in Branson (a $30 value). Classes are held every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday at 11 a.m.
Grown sustainably on Augusta’s verdant hillsides, the fruit of Mount Pleasant’s voluptuous vines has soaked up a slew of accolades. Wine 101 classes in tasting, food pairing, and cork firing edify duos of aspiring aficionados with a one-hour onslaught of grape-centric wisdom, along with a complimentary souvenir wine glass. Students will learn to pair wines with cheese and chocolate and practice trapping even the wildest varietals in bottles. Indulge in a selection of delicious sips while honing the five S’s of proper tasting—seeing, swirling, sniffing, sipping, and savoring—before honoring instructors with the optional sixth S: snuggling.