Wednesday, September 16: Whole Foods

Cheese Course Erik Woody leads this tasting of French cheeses. Contact sherell.white@wholefoods.com to register. Free. 6:30-7:30 p.m., 1548 N. Dale Mabry Hwy., Tampa (813-874-9724)

Wednesday, September 16: The NoHo Bistro

A Palette for Your Palate. The bistro’s ingenious culinary team pairs five tapas tastings with a new wine each week. Today, enjoy a Pint Grigio palette. $15. 5-8 p.m., 1714 N. Armenia Ave., Tampa (813-514-0691)

Wednesday, September 16: Bern’s Fine Wines and Spirits

Potluck Wednesday. Beat the mid-week dinner blahs by stopping in for SideBern’s gourmet take-away — and enjoy a complimentary mini-wine tasting while you wait. This week’s one-stop wonder is shellfish risotto with fennel, arugula and mascarpone cheese. $19.95. 5-8 p.m., 1002 S. Howard Ave., Tampa (813-250-9463)

Thursday, September 17: Mike Kwasin

Seeds of Hope Tasting. Owner of Fine Wine and Spirits Warehouse, Mike Kwasin, hosts this tasting of wines like Darioush, Artesa, Beringer, Nickel & Nickel, Opus One and more to benefit the Seeds of Hope foundation, which works to eradicate malnutrition in the Dominican Republic. Includes light hors d'oeuvres. $25 per person and $40 per couple. 3613 S. Beach Dr., Tampa (813-837-8941)

Thursday, September 17: WineMall

Happy Hour with the Wine Whore. A free wine tasting with the one and only Wine Whore, of winewhore.com. Reservations required; contact tampawinewoman@yahoo.com to RSVP. 6:30-8:30 p.m., 11246 W. Hillsborough Ave., Tampa (813-855-7711)

Thursday, September 17: Publix Apron’s Cooking School

Seafood Around the World. Learn techniques and accompanying flavors to bring out the best in your seafood. The menu includes: shrimp creole; lobster risotto; truite aux amandes (trout with almonds); steamed Prince Edward Island mussels with parmesan crostini; and seafood trio in treasure chest. $50. 6 p.m., 7835 Gunn Highway, Tampa (813-926-4465)

Friday, September 18: Mazzarro’s Italian Market

Weekly Wine Tastings. This week, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon from California and Bordeaux. Free. 1-5 p.m., 2209 22nd Ave. N., St. Petersburg (727-321-2400)

Friday, September 18: Bern’s Fine Wines and Spirits

Blind Cabernet Sauvignon Crush Hour. See how versatile and diverse a Cab can be with a selection of grapes hailing from Napa, Sonoma, Washington state, Bordeaux, Spain, Chile and more. Pick up a list of available wines and test your tastebuds against fellow wine mavens at this blind tasting — the coinnoisseur who matches the most wins a wine pize! $25. 6:30 p.m., 1002 S. Howard Ave., Tampa (813-250-9463)

Friday, September 18: Uncorked Fine Wine and Spirits

A Quick Trip Through Europe. Visit Italy, Germany, Spain, Portugal and France all in first class service at this paired appetizer and wine tasting. $10. 6:30-8:30 p.m., 2706 Fourth Street N., St. Petersburg (727-892-9463)

Friday, September 18: Publix Apron’s Cooking School

Rosario Del Nero. The famed, award-winning Italian chef and cookbook author teaches the class the secrets of his culinary success, with a hearty and flavorful menu that includes: whole wheat cheese tortellini tossed with a salad of arugula, roasted beets, goat cheese and walnuts; four-cheese ravioli wrapped in prosciutto, fresh mozzarella, and basil; chicken pesto involtini; and riserva mushroom agnolotti. $40. 6:30 p.m., 7835 Gunn Highway, Tampa (813-926-4465)

Friday, September 18: Vintage Wine Cellars

Rhone Rangers. Explore the friendly competition between France’s northern and southern wine producing regions with 10 wines that combine the Syrah, Grenache and Mouvedre grapes of the Rhone. $10. 7-9 p.m., 3629 Henderson Blvd., Tampa (813-879-2931)

Saturday, September 19: The Tampa Theatre

The Grapefather. Pay your respects and “kiss the ring of the grapefather” at this eight annual movie-themed wine tasting (Can you guess what this year’s theme is?) Local restuarants — including Bern’s and Sidebern’s, Bin 27, Chez Bryce, NoHo Bistro, The Rack and more — provide haute cuisine, and a silent auction rounds out the evening’s offerings. Visit thegrapefather.org for more info. $50 and up. 711 N. Franklin St., Tampa (813-274-8981)

Saturday, September 19: Mazzarro’s Italian Market

Sample a selection of Italian wines and an array of appetizing international varietals. Free. 11 a.m.-2 p.m.., 2209 22nd Ave. N., St. Petersburg (727-321-2400)

Saturday, September 19: Uncorked Fine Wine and Spirits

Oktoberfest. Break out your stein and celebrate the suds fest in grand German style at this tasting of hearty fall brews; reservations required. $20. 7-9 p.m., 2706 Fourth Street N., St. Petersburg (727-892-9463)

Sunday, September 20: The Columbia

1905 Day. The legendary restaurant celebrates its 104-year anniversary by rolling back prices on its award-winning, authentic Hispanic menu to turn-of-the-century prices. From noon to 7 p.m., stop in for chicken and yellow rice “Ybor” for $2.95; boliche (eye round of beef) for $2.95; merluza “a la rusa” for $2.95; Columbia’s original “1905 Salad” for $1.95; sangria for 95 cents; flan for 50 cents; and richly brewed American coffee for 5 cents. Visit columbiarestaurant.com for participating locations and info.

Monday, September 21: Uncorked Fine Wine and Spirits

Uncorked Wine Academy. Hit the books (and the bottle!) at this wine-centric course that covers pairing food and wine; tasting techniques; grape varietals; how wine makes it from the vineyard to the glass; and how to distinguish the flavors that make your tastebuds tingle. Reservations required. $50. 7-9 p.m., 2706 Fourth Street N., St. Petersburg (727-892-9463)

Tuesday, September 22: The NoHo Bistro

Harvest Wine Dinner. Underdog Wines are paired with each of the meal’s five courses, which include crudites and red pepper aioli, seared scallops with cauliflower puree, a green salad with sweet potato crisps, a duet of veal or a vegetarian option of polenta and wild mushrooom torta, and cardamom-buttermilk pie. Call in advance for reseravtions. $45. 6:30-9 p.m., 1714 N. Armenia Ave., Tampa (813-514-0691)

Wednesday, September 23: Bern’s Fine Wines and Spirits

Potluck Wednesday. Beat the mid-week dinner blahs by stopping in for SideBern’s gourmet take-away — and enjoy a complimentary mini-wine tasting while you wait. This week’s one-stop wonder is coq au vin with carrots, mushrooms and potato puree. $19.95. 5-8 p.m., 1002 S. Howard Ave., Tampa (813-250-9463)

Wednesday, September 23: Publix Apron’s Cooking School

Not Your Average Pasta. There's nary a macaroni and cheese or marinara sauce in sight — instead, the menu includes: orzo salad with feta cheese and avocado; tagliatelle with fava beans, mascarpone and prosciutto; tortellini with grilled chicken in a dijon caper cream auce with sundried tomatoes and basil; and shrimp and casarecci carbonara. $40. 6 p.m., 7835 Gunn Highway, Tampa (813-926-4465)

Thursday, September 24: Carrollwood Cultural Center

Teach and Taste Wine. Wine guide Charles Visalli leads this series of workshops on wine etiquette, how to sample wine when dining out, wine varietals, the art of pairing food with wine and more. This week’s focus is “discovering champagne and sparkling wine.” E-mail timeforwine@tampabay.rr.com to reserve a spot. $25, $20 for CCC members. 6-7:30 p.m., 4537 Lowell Road, Tampa (813-269-1310)

Thursday, September 24: The Toasted Pheasant

Virginia Wine Dinner. Try New World wines paired with each of the evening’s four courses, which include: chicken and porcini mushroom soup, mixed field greens salad, lamb chops grille and dark chocolate mousse. $45. 7 p.m., 14445 N. Dale Mabry Hwy., Tampa (813-265-6700)

Monday, September 28: Uncorked Fine Wine and Spirits

Wednesday, September 30: Bern’s Fine Wines and Spirits

Potluck Wednesday. Beat the mid-week dinner blahs by stopping in for SideBern’s gourmet take-away — and enjoy a complimentary mini-wine tasting while you wait. This week’s one-stop wonder is spaghetti carbonara with pancetta, zucchini and soft egg. $19.95. 5-8 p.m., 1002 S. Howard Ave., Tampa (813-250-9463)

Thursday, October 1: SideBern’s

Grill and Chill. It’s not your run-of-the-mill cookout, that’s for sure. Chef Chad Johnson cooks up fancified versions of the perfect football fodder for anyone who knows that tailgating doesn't have to mean PBR and Oscar Meyer weiners (though that has its place in our hearts, too). The menue includes: wild boar ribs with pomegranate sauce; grilled quail with a smoked tomato glaze; buffalo brisket with molasses barbecue sauce; wild mushroom bread pudding with seasonal herbs; charred brussels sprouts with green apple and bacon; and top it all off with fried pumpkin pie with spice caramel — even Grandma doesn't make 'em this tasty. Wash down all the good grub with a selection of autumn-friendly brews like Gingerbread Ale, Smuttynose Pumpkin Ale, Sprecher Oktoberfest and Lagunitas Cappuccino Stout. Visit bernsfinewines.com to RSVP. $45. 6:30-8:30 p.m., 2208 W. Morrison Ave., Tampa (813-258-2233)

Monday, October 5: Uncorked Fine Wine and Spirits

Wednesday, October 7: Bern’s Fine Wines and Spirits

Potluck Wednesday. Beat the mid-week dinner blahs by stopping in for SideBern’s gourmet take-away — and enjoy a complimentary mini-wine tasting while you wait. This week’s one-stop wonder is stuffed peppers with merguez sausage, caramelized onion and parmesan cheese . $19.95. 5-8 p.m., 1002 S. Howard Ave., Tampa (813-250-9463)

Thursday, October 8: Carrollwood Cultural Center

Teach and Taste Wine. Wine guide Charles Visalli leads this series of workshops on wine etiquette, how to sample wine when dining out, wine varietals, the art of pairing food with wine and more. This week’s focus is “traveling aroud the wine globe.” E-mail timeforwine@tampabay.rr.com to reserve a spot. $25, $20 for CCC members. 6-7:30 p.m., 4537 Lowell Road, Tampa (813-269-1310)

Monday, October 12: Uncorked Fine Wine and Spirits

Wednesday, October 14: Bern’s Fine Wines and Spirits

Potluck Wednesday. Beat the mid-week dinner blahs by stopping in for SideBern’s gourmet take-away — and enjoy a complimentary mini-wine tasting while you wait. This week’s one-stop wonder is cassolette with pork belly, lamb, white beans and an herb crust . $19.95. 5-8 p.m., 1002 S. Howard Ave., Tampa (813-250-9463)

Thursday, October 15: Sidebern's

Autumn Celebration. Executive chef Chad Johnson flaunts the flavors of fall at this seasonal wine tasting and feast, and Wine Director Kevin Pelley selects the perfect accopmaniment to each course. Traditional autumn tastes are complemented by unexpected flavors, and the menu includes: roasted monkfish with salsify, green apple, lovage and powdered dijon; pheasant with savoy cabbage, foie gras and potato cream; matsutake mushroom with jamon iberico, maple and smoldering spices; autumn squash with pork cheek, porcini and blis elixer; elk striploin with aged gouda, smoked parsnip, brussels sprouts and horseradish; and pear clafouti flavored with almond, cranberry and sage. $125. 2208 S. Morrison Ave., Tampa (813-258-2233)

Thursday, October 22: Carrollwood Cultural Center

Teach and Taste Wine. Wine guide Charles Visalli leads this series of workshops on wine etiquette, how to sample wine when dining out, wine varietals, the art of pairing food with wine and more. This week’s focus is “the art of blind tasting.” E-mail timeforwine@tampabay.rr.com to reserve a spot. $25, $20 for CCC members. 6-7:30 p.m., 4537 Lowell Road, Tampa (813-269-1310)

Thursday, November 5: Carrollwood Cultural Center

Teach and Taste Wine. Wine guide Charles Visalli leads this series of workshops on wine etiquette, how to sample wine when dining out, wine varietals, the art of pairing food with wine and more. This week’s focus is “food, cheese and dessert wine pairings.” E-mail timeforwine@tampabay.rr.com to reserve a spot. $25, $20 for CCC members. 6-7:30 p.m., 4537 Lowell Road, Tampa (813-269-1310)

Thursday, November 19: Carrollwood Cultural Center

Teach and Taste Wine. Wine guide Charles Visalli leads this series of workshops on wine etiquette, how to sample wine when dining out, wine varietals, the art of pairing food with wine and more. This week’s focus is “elements of terroir on wines.” E-mail timeforwine@tampabay.rr.com to reserve a spot. $25, $20 for CCC members. 6-7:30 p.m., 4537 Lowell Road, Tampa (813-269-1310)

This article appears in Dec 2-8, 2000.