Got an upcoming or ongoing wine event? Send information to: The Wine List, 810 N. Howard Ave., Tampa, FL 33606, fax 813-739-4801 or e-mail winestuff@creativeloafing.com.
DRINK FOR A CAUSE Melting Pot hosts a wine tasting fundraiser to benefit St. Jude's Children's Hospital. Taste four wines paired with cheese and chocolate fondue. $20. 6:30 p.m. Thurs., July 12. Melting Pot St. Petersburg, 2221 Fourth St. N., St. Petersburg (727-895-6358) RSVP requested.
BASTILLE DAY CELEBRATION The French practically invented wine, so celebrate their independence day with their wine and some appetizers in your hand. Free but limited to 50 people. Sat., July 14. West Palm Wines, 2009 N. 22nd St., Tampa (813-241-8587 or westpalmwines.com).
ANNUAL SUMMER BASH Bern's Fine Wines celebrates summer with a tasting of 20 wines paired with cheeses, and discounts on wines up to 30 percent. Free. 12-4 p.m. Sat., July 14. Bern's Fine Wines & Spirits, 1002 S. Howard Ave., Tampa (813-250-9463 or bernsfinewines.com).
WINES UNDER $20 ABC Liquor hosts a tasting that might please your wallet and your palate. Loads of wine and appetizers will entertain for hours. $10. 5:30-7:30 p.m. Wed., July 18. ABC Liquors, 14729 N. Dale Mabry, Tampa (813-264-1881).
WINE AND FRIEND PAIRING Bring a friend to this free Vino 100 wine tasting, where you can share your favorite selections with a friend. Free. 5-8 p.m. Thurs., July 12. Vino 100, 5056 Fourth St. N, St. Petersburg (727-522-8466 or vino100tampabay.com).
VIVA LA FRANCE Celebrate all things French at this Bastille Day celebration. Taste 10 French wines from various regions around that country. $10. 7—9 p.m. Fri., July 13. Vintage Wine Cellars, 3629 Henderson Blvd., Tampa (813-879-2931).
TASTE SOUTH AMERICA Taste a variety of wines from Chile and Argentina paired with regional cuisine. $15 in advance; $20 at the door. 7:30 p.m. Fri., July 13. Charlie's Wine Cellar, 533 S. Howard Ave., Tampa (813-250-1967 or charlieswine.com).
FOCUS ON THE UNUSUAL Uncover some new favorites at this tasting, which explores grenache, albarino and syrah wines. $10; includes souvenir glass. 6:30-8:30 p.m. Fri., July 13. Uncorked, 2706 Fourth St. N., St. Petersburg (727-892-WINE or uncorkedwines.com).
WINE FESTIVAL This event includes a variety of fresh food, BBQ, sandwiches, plants, homemade arts and crafts, live music and a wine tasting. Free. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Sat., July 14. Florida Estates Winery, 25241 State Road 52, Land O'Lakes (813-996-2113 or floridaestateswines.com).
FREE TASTING Each week, the Tampa location features a selection of four to six wines from areas around the world. Total Wine and More, 1720 N. Dale Mabry, Tampa (813-350-9601 or totalwine.com).
B-21 SATURDAY TASTINGS B-21 hosts a wine tasting every Saturday. Free. 1-4 p.m. B-21 Fine Wine and Spirits, 43380 U.S. 19, Tarpon Springs (727-937-5049 x 210 or b-21.com).
GRAPE CRUSH HOURS Each Wednesday, sample pre-selected white half glasses for $10 and three pre-selected reds for $12. Includes complimentary appetizers. Wednesdays, 5-7 p.m. The Grape at International Plaza, 2223 N. West Shore Blvd., Tampa (813-354-9463).
UNCORK YOUR TASTE Cork & Olive, a chain of wine shops in the Bay area, offers free wine tastings daily at all locations. Find the nearest at corkandolive.com.
This article appears in Jul 11-17, 2007.