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Click here to learn more about: Our philosophy, How to register, What our classes are like, Our credit policy, and much more...
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Wine 101 One Night |
| Thursday, Feb 18 (Wine 101) |
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| Saturday, Feb 20 (Wine 101) |
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| Friday, March 5 (Wine 101) |
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| Saturday, March 6 (Wine 101) |
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| Friday, March 12 (Wine 101) |
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| Friday, March 19 (Wine 101) |
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| Saturday, March 20 (Wine 101) |
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| Friday, April 2 (Wine 101) |
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| Friday, April 9 (Wine 101) |
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| Saturday, April 24 (Wine 101) |
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| Friday, May 7 (Wine 101) |
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| Saturday, May 15 (Wine 101) |
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Special Food & Wine Seminars |
| A Focus on Reds (Feb 12) |
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| Napa vs. Bordeaux (Feb 27) |
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| A Focus on Reds (March 26) |
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| Napa vs. Bordeaux (April 22) |
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| A Focus on Reds (May 1) |
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| Grand Cru Burgundy vs. The World (May 14) |
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| A Focus on Reds (June 10) |
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| Napa vs. Bordeaux (June 12) |
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Regional Wine Explorations |
| Italy - North to South (Feb 26) |
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| Italy - North to South (April 3) |
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| Wines of Croatia & Hungary (April 8) |
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| France - Making Sense of it All (April 16) |
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| Italy - North to South (May 21) |
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| Big, Bold Reds of Spain & Portugal (June 18) |
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| France - Making Sense of it All (June 19) |
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16 Wines, 8 Cheeses, 1 Night |
| Saturday, Feb 13 (16.8) |
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| Friday, Feb 19 (16.8) |
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| Saturday, March 13(16.8) |
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| Saturday. March 27 (16.8) |
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| Saturday, April 10 (16.8) |
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| Friday, April 30 (16.8) |
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Gifts & Promotions |
| Any Class Anytime - $90 |
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| Any 4 Classes Anytime - $275 |
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Wine 101 One Night
The Wine 101 class promises, at a minimum, you will taste a dozen unique wines, sample artisanal cheeses from Murray's Cheese, and leave with a keen sense of what makes wines different along with a better understanding of what you like. While that may seem sufficient for two hours, we aim for more. In this, one of our most popular offerings, we hope you will develop a newfound admiration for this incredible product of nature while tasting the differences in body, tannin, and sweetness of wines.
Wine has been with us for millennia, and while it can seem a daunting subject, it should not be. We will explore numerous regions of the world as well as briefly discuss how grapes grow and how wine is made (the most exciting part of the class, honestly). We believe that wine should be enjoyed by all on a regular basis.
Thursday, Feb 18 (Wine 101)
Date: Thursday, February 18
Location: 167 West 23rd Street
Time: 7:00 PM - 9:30 PM
Price: $90
*** Class Full ***
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Saturday, Feb 20 (Wine 101)
Date: Saturday, February 20
Location: 167 West 23rd Street
Time: 5:00 PM - 7:30 PM
Price: $90
*** Class Full ***
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Friday, March 5 (Wine 101)
Date: Friday, March 5
Location: 167 West 23rd Street
Time: 7:00 PM - 9:30 PM
Price: $90
*** Class Full ***
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Saturday, March 6 (Wine 101)
Date: Saturday, March 6
Location: 167 West 23rd Street
Time: 5:00 pm - 7:30 pm
Price: $90
*** Class Full ***
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Friday, March 12 (Wine 101)
Date: Friday, March 12
Location: 167 West 23rd Street
Time: 7:00 - 9:30 PM
Price: $90
Friday, March 19 (Wine 101)
Date: Friday, March 19
Location: 167 West 23rd Street
Time: 7:00 pm - 9:30 pm
Price: $90
Saturday, March 20 (Wine 101)
Date: Saturday, March 20
Location: 167 West 23rd Street
Time: 5:00 PM - 7:30 PM
Price: $90
Friday, April 2 (Wine 101)
Date: Friday, April 2
Location: 167 West 23rd Street
Time: 7:00 PM - 9:30 PM
Price: $90
Friday, April 9 (Wine 101)
Date: Friday, April 9
Location: 167 West 23rd Street
Time: 7:00 - 9:30 PM
Price: $90
Saturday, April 24 (Wine 101)
Date: Saturday, April 24
Location: 167 West 23rd Street
Time: 5:00 PM - 7:30 PM
Price: $90
Friday, May 7 (Wine 101)
Date: Friday, May 7
Location: 167 West 23rd Street
Time: 7:00 PM - 9:30 PM
Price: $90
Saturday, May 15 (Wine 101)
Date: Saturday, May 15
Location: 167 West 23rd Street
Time: 5:00 PM - 7:30 PM
Price: $90
Special Food & Wine Seminars
These classes typically focus on the wines and culinary contributions of one specific country or region. We discuss the history and importance of the wines and talk about how to pair them with various types of cuisine.
A Focus on Reds (Feb 12)
Date: Friday, February 12
Location: 167 West 23rd Street
Time: 7:00 PM - 9:30 PM
Price: $90
See complete class description on June 10 listing. Thank You!
*** Class Full ***
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Napa vs. Bordeaux (Feb 27)
Date: Saturday, February 27
Location: 167 West 23rd Street
Time: 5:00 PM - 7:30 PM
Price: $90
See complete class description on June 12 listing. Thank You!
*** Class Full ***
Back to Top
A Focus on Reds (March 26)
Date: Friday, March 26
Location: 167 West 23rd Street
Time: 5:00 - 7:30 PM
Price: $90
See complete class description on June 10 listing. Thank You!
Napa vs. Bordeaux (April 22)
Date: Thursday, April 22
Location: 167 West 23rd Street
Time: 7:00 PM - 9:30 PM
Price: $90
See complete class description on June 12 listing. Thank You!
A Focus on Reds (May 1)
Date: Saturday, May 1
Location: 167 West 23rd Street
Time: 5:00 PM - 7:30 PM
Price: $90
See complete class description on June 10 listing. Thank You!
Grand Cru Burgundy vs. The World (May 14)
Date: Friday, May 14
Location: 167 West 23rd Street
Time: 7:00 PM - 9:30 PM
Price: $140
Few regions in the world can claim a history as rich and as intriguing as that of Burgundy, France. Here, history is shaped by tales of strife, waged battles against the weather, politics and cunning, bitter family feuds, fortunes won, fortunes lost, and a who’s sleeping with whom tangled web that even the Enquirer might not touch. The land on which this all takes place, however, is the real story. Row by row, parcel by parcel, Pinot Noir is not just grown here, it is reared. Each square foot of the Cote d’Or has been mapped out and designated an appellation based on its quality level. Some plots sufficiently good to yield Village wine, while other tracts qualify as something much better, Premier Cru, while fewer still are designated as the very best of the very best, the Grand Crus.
And they are what this tasting will be about, the Grand Cru’s of Burgundy – Le Musigny, Romanée St. Vivant, Clos de la Roche, Latricières-Chambertin, Clos des Lambrays, Clos de Tart, and others. To simply taste these wines can be a satisfying experience alone, of course, yet to add context, we will taste them alongside their counterparts from around the globe. Incarnations of Pinot Noir from New Zealand’s Central Otago, Oregon’s Willamette Valley, Australia’s Yarra Valley, and California’s Anderson Valley. It is a contest indeed, and while there may be no definitive winner at night’s end, you can rely on the fact that nearly a dozen world class Pinot Noirs will be tasted. Unlike so many other grapes, Pinot Noir is complex, intense, and deep, while simultaneously lithe. Start to finish, these will be incredible wines. Bottles will range from $30 up to $145. As always, cheeses, charcuterie, breads, olives, etc… will be served. We hope you’ll attend.
A Focus on Reds (June 10)
Date: Thursday, June 10
Location: 167 West 23rd Street
Time: 7:00 PM - 9:30 PM
Price: $90
Even though white wines can be as "serious" and as complex as their counterparts in rouge, reds beckon to us in ways whites often do not, and I, too, fall prey as much as anyone to this call. If you welcome the bite of winter solely to find guilt-free solace in a rich, peppery Shiraz, or if you can find succor in a glass of red at day's end, never mind the season nor the forecast, this class is a must.
During this one evening seminar we will explore the basics of red wine production as well as highlight the qualities of the major red grape varieties. By understanding how Pinot Noir differs from Cabernet Sauvignon or from Nebbiolo, one begins to understand why the wines taste as they do and why they each exhibit such telltale personalities.
Furthermore, while we can only explore a specific number of regions and grapes in one evening, you will leave this class with a key understanding of why, for example, wines from Oregon and other cooler areas often taste as they do and why they tend to grow certain grapes over others. You will also taste and become familiar with some of the distinct flavors commonly noted in certain grapes such as the green pepper of Cabernet Franc, or the strawberry of Gamay, or the violets of Dolcetto.
And not to be left out...tannins. We will taste and discuss the role of tannins, how to detect them in wines, and how to begin the journey of knowing when to age, and when it's best to pull the cork. You can count on learning as much as we can possibly fit into one evening about red wines, their component parts, and the enormous variety they offer.
Napa vs. Bordeaux (June 12)
Date: Saturday, June 12
Location: 167 West 23rd Street
Time: 7:00 PM - 9:30 PM
Price: $90
Both grow Cabernet Sauvignon, both are fiercely loyal to their region, and both create intense, complex, long-lived wines. Yet they are not the same. Bordeaux, with its centuries of history and ornate chateaux, claims restraint and finesse as well as power, yet by a judicious hand. The wines of Pauillac, Margaux, Graves, St Julien, Pomerol, St Emilion and St Estephe are all possible appearances.
As for Napa, they too have a rich history, yet it is one more of rags to riches than of landed gentry. Here, with their all too reliable sunshine and rainless summers, they craft wines that display purity of fruit, seamless tannins, soft mid-palates, and simply put, gobs of flavor. Both locales, however, offer up many exceptions to these stereotypes, leaving one to consider the producer and not the region alone.
We will taste a number of wines blind so you can decide without the label which you prefer. We will also sample wines of different price points to determine if the higher priced bottles are actually worth the added cost. Older vintages will also play a role with bottle prices for the tasting ranging from $20 to $50, possibly higher. We will accompany the wines with a number of perfectly aged cheeses, some French, some American.
Regional Wine Explorations
Whether it is one of our always-popular-classes featuring Italy or France, or a never held before seminar on the wines grown in Hungary or South Africa, these classes focus on regions and therefore highlight wines that speak of place, and of course, the people who make them.
Italy - North to South (Feb 26)
Date: Friday, February 26
Location: 167 West 23rd Street
Time: 7:00 PM - 9:30 PM
Price: $90
See complete class description on the May 21 listing. Thank You!
*** Class Full ***
Back to Top
Italy - North to South (April 3)
Date: Saturday, April 3
Location: 167 West 23rd Street
Time: 5:00 PM - 7:30 PM
Price: $90
See complete class description on the May 21 listing. Thank You!
Wines of Croatia & Hungary (April 8)
Date: Thursday, April 8
Location: 167 West 23rd Street
Time: 7:00 PM - 9:30 PM
Price: $90
Special Guest Appearance!
Despite a longstanding cultural tradition of winemaking, few modern wine drinkers have ever heard of Croatia. Alas, that is about to change! In this country, the Mediterranean meets the Dinaric Alps meets the Adriatic. With such diversity, it’s no surprise that influential wine critics such as Robert Parker, Oz Clarke, and Jancis Robinson, have long been singing the praises of this nation’s wines.
Cliff Rames will be co-hosting this class with me. He is the Sommelier & Wine Director of the Caudalie Vinotherapie Spa at The Plaza as well as a 'Certified Specialist of Wine' (CSW). More importantly, he is a full Croat, the real deal, and on his most recent trip in December he sourced out many distinct, special bottlings which we will taste. Most of all, he is a professional colleague and friend whom I have known for years and I can attest that his passion for wine is non-pareil. As the founder of Wines of Croatia, he spends much of his time promoting the wines of this nation, as he did most recently as a guest on Wine Library TV, with Gary Vaynerchuck. Cliff will discuss the grapes and regions of this Balkan land, as well as the link between Zinfandel, Chardonnay, and Croatia, along with other little known, but incredibly illuminating tales of Croatia’s wine history.
Andrew Harwood, founder of NYC Wine Company, takes you across the border from Croatia into Hungary, whose equally inimitable tradition of winemaking will be showcased. Andrew, having worked as a winemaker in Tokaj, will give you the low down on the storied wines of this fabled zone, while also sharing his other favorite grapes and regions such as Bull’s Blood, Furmint, Hárslevelű, Kékfrankos, Kadarka and more.
Of course, your wine exploration to Croatia and Hungary will be enhanced by a selection of cured meats, perfectly aged cheeses, and, of course, the ubiquitous….”more”. So invite a friend(s) and discover the rich history and winemaking culture of Croatia and Hungary – you are bound to fall in love with one of these regions and wonder where these unique, inimitable wines have been your whole life.
France - Making Sense of it All (April 16)
Date: Friday, April 16
Location: 167 West 23rd Street
Time: 7:00 PM - 9:30 PM
Price: $90
See complete class description on the June 19 listing. Thank You!
Italy - North to South (May 21)
Date: Friday, May 21
Location: 167 West 23rd Street
Time: 7:00 PM - 9:30 PM
Price: $90
Without question, Italy provides a staggering percentage of the world's most distinctive and exalted wines. In addition, the sheer breadth of styles they produce is equally impressive. From the minerally perfumed whites of the Tre Venezie and Val d'Aosta to the dark, powerful reds of Sicily and Campania, this country continues to be a formidable force in winemaking as it has been since before Romulus and Remus first found Rome.
Admittedly, the north has long dominated the wine scene in Italy, with the wines of Piedmont (Barolo, Barbaresco...), Veneto (Amarone...), and Alto Adige (Schiava, Lagrein...) joining suit with Tuscany (Brunello, Chianti...), yet the wines of the south are making their case and doing it well with their rich, distinctive offerings that taste of flowers, spice, and pepper all at once. From the south we will sample Primitivo, Salice Salentino, Taurasi, the gorgeous mineral and apricot scented wines of Campania, and others. These wines are all quite distinct from one another, yet collectively they present a vivid picture of Italy, and all it has to offer.
Which wines are worth hunting down and getting to know? We believe they all are, yet only you can decide as the bottles will speak for themselves on this night dedicated, ultimately, to all things Italian (including extraordinary artisanal cheeses & cured hams).
Big, Bold Reds of Spain & Portugal (June 18)
Date: Friday, June 18
Location: 167 West 23rd Street
Time: 7:00 PM - 9:30 PM
Price: $90
You could sample a new Spanish wine every night of the year and still not experience all the variety that this country produces. Each region has their own specialty. Rioja creates smoky, earthy, subtle reds with the Tempranillo grape, while the Priorat region makes rich, dense, powerful reds from the Garnacha variety. The Ribera del Duero also employs the Tempranillo grape, yielding wines bigger and more powerful than those of Rioja. And this is just a few of the reds we will try.
As for whites, Spain may not spring to mind, but it should. Whether it's the crisp, aromatic Albarino grape of Galicia, or the lemony & spritzy apertif wines from the Basque region's Txacoli zone, Spain has countless inimitable bottlings, with many at extremely favorable prices.
Spain alone easily fills an evening, yet Portugal, its neighbor, is equally deserving of attention. Here you will taste many full-bodied wines made from varieties both familiar and unknown. While often a bit more 'old world' in style, they offer an interesting counterpoint to Spain's offerings.
Since we're talking about neighbors, it would be unfair to leave Andorra out of the mix. This tiny mountainous principality creates a few unique wines all their own. Growing at high elevations offers unique challenges, yet the resulting wines tend to show rich flavors wrapped up in well balanced wines that eschew excessive tannins and body in favor of creating a food-friendly beverage.
We will feast upon a cornucopia of Spanish meats, Marcona Almonds, Arbequina Olives, and some of the Iberian peninsula's most distinctive cheeses. We individually plate the evening's selection of cheeses for each guest. They are designed to complement the wines and we will discuss food and wine pairing, some rules, some traditions, and how to step outside them whenever you care to.
France - Making Sense of it All (June 19)
Date: Saturday, June 19
Location: 167 West 23rd Street
Time: 5:00 PM - 7:30 PM
Price: $90
French wines ooze intimidation; the language, no grape listed anywhere in sight, countless vineyards and producers, and all this at often exorbitant prices. Yet even in the face of these apparent obstacles, France is worthy of our attention. Why? Simply because they still continue to create so many of the world’s most intriguing, exotic, and individualistic wines.
France is the birthplace of most noble grape varieties we know today; Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Syrah, Chardonnay, and others. We will taste many of these grapes which have all been grown in their respective regions in France such as Bordeaux, Burgundy, the Rhone Valley and others. The French classification system, based largely on the concept of regional identity, is actually a blessing once you understand the ideology behind it. If, for example, you taste Sancerre, or Hermitage, or Chambolle-Musigny, and you like the wine, then you can feel confident in buying other bottlings from that region, even if the producer or vintage is different from the one originally tasted. (maybe you will like it even better).
You are bound to fall in love with at least one of these wine-producing areas, especially after discovering the rich history and culture that are so much a part of what makes these wines unique. Of equal importance, we will address the basics of reading labels and other essentials in order to give you a deeper, more inherent understanding of these delicious products of nature. French artisanal cheeses and pate de compagne will also make a definite appearance.
16 Wines, 8 Cheeses, 1 Night
This event used to be called 20 Wines, 10 Cheeses, 1 Night. Numerous runs of this course, however, proved that this was simply overkill, more so for the students than for us. Fear not, the spirit of it is the same, and it is an exciting event to attend. In this class, we serve eight pairs of wines, a number of which will be from up-and-coming areas around the world such as South Africa, South America, Australia, Spain, and New Zealand. Each pair will contain wines from either the same region or same grape. The two wines will be similar yet with at least one differentiating factor to distinguish them. I will briefly highlight the grapes used, the climate, and the production method for each wine served.
Through this you will learn about what makes wines different while also discovering your own preferences. And yes, maybe you will like both wines in each pair, maybe neither, that is part of the journey that is this class. Along with each wine poured we will discuss wines that are similar to the one tasted and are readily available in most stores. You will then have a list of wines that you know will either offer pleasure or should be avoided. In addition, each pair of wines will be accompanied by an artisanal cheese chosen specifically for its compatibility with the wines. Through this you can learn about new and interesting cheeses as well as how to pair them with wines that you like. We really hope you can make it to this unique and exciting tasting forum.
Saturday, Feb 13 (16.8)
Date: Saturday, February 13
Location: 167 West 23rd Street
Time: 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Price: $90
Please scroll up for course description. Thank you!
*** Class Full ***
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Friday, Feb 19 (16.8)
Date: Friday, February 19
Location: 167 West 23rd Street
Time: 7:00 - 9:30 PM
Price: $90
Please scroll up for course description. Thank you!
Saturday, March 13(16.8)
Date: Saturday, March 13
Location: 167 West 23rd Street
Time: 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Price: $90
Please scroll up for course description. Thank you!
*** Class Full ***
Back to Top
Saturday. March 27 (16.8)
Date: Saturday, March 27
Location: 167 West 23rd Street
Time: 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Price: $90
Saturday, April 10 (16.8)
Date: Saturday, April 10
Location: 167 West 23rd Street
Time: 5:00 - 7:30 PM
Price: $90
Friday, April 30 (16.8)
Date: Friday, April 30
Location: 167 West 23rd Street
Time: 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Price: $90
Please scroll up for course description. Thank you!
Gifts & Promotions
You know the situation - You need a gift for someone about whom you know very little, you're annoyed at spending cash on a gift that provides a 50/50 chance, at best, that they'll like it. Without a choice, you shop, and shop, and shop, until you surrender to Sephora, convincing yourself, "I think they said they needed face creme and essential bath oils." Give them a wine class and they'll thank you time and again. It's the gift that keeps giving.
Any Class Anytime - $90
Price: $90
If you would like to offer wine classes as a gift, yet the recipient's life is decided by strategically placed post-it notes and putting out fires, then we propose our open-ended certificate. It can be used anytime for any class we offer (assuming availability) and it's good for two years. Better yet they can reserve date(s) then change them last minute if they need to for another class. Classes are offered year round and we add new classes about once a month.
We can signify a specific date or class topic if you like, yet even in that event, the certificate is still valid for any class they choose if they call to change it. Thank you for your consideration!
Any 4 Classes Anytime - $275
Price: $275
The owner has lost his mind. When you buy this 4-pack, you save $85 off the regular price. Wow. Use the savings however you wish, bring home a bucket of wings from The Wing Wagon, or maybe a case of paper from Staples.
The 4 classes can be used in any combination you desire, 4 people to one class, two people to two, or be selfish, and go solo to four classes. Valid for two years.
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