CALI AND SUSHI Savor a variety of California's boutique wines, paired with sushi. $15 in advance; $20 at the door. 7:30 p.m. Fri., Jan. 5. Charlie's Wine Cellar, 533 S. Howard Ave., Tampa (813-250-1967 or charlieswine.com).
AUSSIE FOOD AND WINE PAIRING Apron's resident chef, Bil Mitchell, teaches how to pair the Asian-influenced cuisine of Australia with its local wines. $45. 6:30 p.m. Fri., Jan. 6. Apron's Cooking School at Publix, 7835 Gunn Highway, Tampa (813-926-4465 or publix.com/aprons).
WINE FESTIVAL Explore the fruits of our local wine at the Florida Estates Winery Festival. Event includes a variety of fresh food, sauces, sandwiches, plants, homemade arts & crafts, live music, and a wine tasting. Free. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Sat., Jan. 6. Florida Estates Winery, 25241 State Road 52, Land O'Lakes (813-996-2113). www.floridaestateswines.com.
GO ITALIAN Specialty Wines features a tasting of artisan Italian producers every Friday. Free. 6-9 p.m. Specialty Wines, 11803 Martin Luther King Blvd., Seffner (813-413-2003).
UNCORK YOUR TASTE Cork & Olive, a chain of wine shops in the Bay area, offers free daily wine tastings at all locations. Find the nearest at www.corkandolive.com.
Events? E-mail winestuff@creativeloafing.com.
This article appears in Jan 3-9, 2007.