As if you needed an excuse to drink, Wednesday is National Wine Day, and there's no better way to celebrate than with a good bottle or a neighborhood tasting. From local wineries to restaurants to wine shops, CL's working guide to Wine Day has your holiday revelry covered.
A Taste for Wine In the heart of downtown, enjoy a complimentary wine sampling set to highlight wines from Tuscany and other areas of Italy. Free. 6:30 p.m. 241 Central Ave., St. Petersburg, 727-895-1623, ataste4wine.com.
Aspirations Winery Spend the day perusing the retail section. Classic reds and whites, along with fruit-infused wines are offered from the winery, which specializes in low-sulphite varieties. Its grapes are imported from regions around the globe. Wines start at $14.95. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. 22041 U.S. Highway 19, Clearwater, 727-799-9463, aspirationswinery.com.
Bizou Brasserie Unwind while sipping with Bizou Brasserie and Republic National Distributing Company. Complimentary wine samples and hors d'oeuvres, as well as live music, in Bizou's historic, century-old courthouse setting will make for a fine holiday. Free. 5-7 p.m. 601 N. Florida Ave., Tampa, 813-227-9555, bizoutampa.com.
Café Largo A West Coast Wine Dinner will offer organic, single-estate wines from Paso Robles, California, to Oregon's Willamette Valley. The cafe's French cuisine, including scallops and roasted lamb, will pair with tastes from wineries like WildAire Cellars and Victor Hugo Winery. $84.50. 6:30 p.m. 12551 Indian Rocks Road, Largo, 727-596-6282, cafelargorestaurant.com.
Cooper's Hawk Winery & Restaurant Patrons can pair their favorite wines with fare like Asian pork belly tostadas, pistachio-crusted grouper and s'more budino from the contemporary eatery. 4110 W. Boy Scout Blvd., Tampa, 813-873-9463, coopershawkwinery.com.
Craft & Curd Join this wine and craft beer haven for a free wine and cheese tasting. Six wines will be matched with cheese, and a buy one, get one 50 percent off deal will be offered for pints of beer, too. Free. 6-8 p.m. 2908 W. Gandy Blvd. #B, Tampa, 813-443-0853, craftcurd.com.
Dash of Salt n' Pepper Visit this culinary hub to participate in the Teach and Taste event with Time for Wine. Guests will sample Italian wine varieties as they learn about the processes by which they're created. Call or email [email protected] to reserve. $20 in advance, $25 at the door. 6 p.m. 10353 Cross Creek Blvd., Tampa, 813-664-1430.
Florida Estates Winery Those in Land O' Lakes should swing by the Florida Estates Winery. A selection of locally made fruit and grape wines, plus global offerings, are featured, as are tastings. Wines start at $13.95. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. 25241 State Road 52, Land O' Lakes, 813-996-0393, floridaestateswines.com.
Florida Orange Groves Winery As the only Florida winery at Epcot International Food & Wine Festival, Florida Orange Groves Winery showcases a variety of tropical, citrus and berry wines, such as the best-selling Hurricane Class 5 White Sangria or Key Limen, during tours and tastings. Wines start at $17.98.10 a.m.-4 p.m.1500 Pasadena Ave. S., St. Petersburg, 727-347-4025, floridawine.com.
The Florida Winery A John's Pass Village & Boardwalk winery with a hearty assortment of wine available for purchase -- the popular Razi, a raspberry and white zinfandel blend, among them. Wines start at $14.99. 12945 Village Blvd., Madeira Beach, 727-362-0008, thefloridawinery.com.
Keel & Curley Winery Pick up one of this area winery's signature blueberry wines to ring in Wine Day. In the mood for something even more distinct? Go fusion with the Tangerine Tango Zinfandel, Black Raspberry Merlot or Wild Berry Pinot Noir. Most wines at $14.99. 11 a.m.-9 p.m. 5210 Thonotosassa Road, Plant City, 813-752-9100, keelandcurleywinery.com.
Tarpon Springs Castle Winery Enjoy a bottle of Tarpon Springs Castle Winery's fine wine in a romantic, European-style atmosphere. Made in the southern Italian tradition of winemaking, the vino options include cabernet sauvignon, chardonnay and sangiovese. All wines at $25.95. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. 320 E. Tarpon Ave., Tarpon Springs, 727-943-7029, tscwinery.com.
Try Wine Inside this wine bar and store's tasting room, guests may sample from 88 wines on tap before deciding what to buy. The retail section carries more than 400 options. 110 First St. N., St. Petersburg, 727-898-9463, trywinecompany.com.
Two Lions Winery & Palm Harbor Brewery With special attention to the think local, drink local philosophy, this winery and brewery offers award-winning muscadine wine, varietals of fruit wine, and handcrafted beers. 4-10 p.m. 1022 Georgia Ave, Palm Harbor. twolionswinery.com.
Vino-N-Brew This arm of Keel & Curley's offers their signature wines as well as craft brews from Two Henry's Brewing Co. If you're not feeling a blueberry wine, try a roasted jalapeño blueberry porter for something unique and fun. 7 a.m.-midnight. 9641 Gulf Blvd, Treasure Island.
Why Not Boutique Wines, mystery discounts and after-hours, pre-Memorial Day shopping opportunities await at this National Wine Day Sip & Shop event. Free, money for goodies. 6-8 p.m. 3423 W. Bay to Bay Blvd., Tampa, 813-374-2394, whynotboutique.com.
Winesmith Located in the heart of downtown St. Pete, this retail wine shop and bar brings together wines from all over the world and features wine tastings every Friday. Noon-9 p.m.1620 Central Ave, St. Petersburg. stpetewinesmith.com.
Yard of Ale Receive half off of any wine varietal at the SoHo location from Yard of Ale. The choices range from chardonnay to sauvignon blanc. Free, money for wine. 7 p.m.-3 a.m. 406 S. Howard Ave., Tampa, 813-251-4433, yardofale.com.
Ybor City Wine Bar Learn about your favorite wine every Wednesday at this Ybor wine bar. The Weekly Educational Wine Tasting features wine and food pairing, and is a great opportunity for mid-week fun with your friends. $20. 7 p.m.1600 E 8th Ave #102, Tampa. yborcitywinebar.com.
