Thursday, January 27: The Columbia Restaurant
The Columbia Restaurant is hosting a five-course winemaker dinner featuring the wines of Compañía Vinícola del Norte de España (CVNE) of Rioja, Spain with special guest of honor: Jesús Madrazo, Fifth Generation family member of CVNE. Wines paired by Richard Gonzmart, fourth generation family member of The Columbia, and Chef Geraldo Bayona. $100 (all-inclusive), 7-10 p.m. 2117 E. 7th Ave, Ybor City, Tampa. 813-248-4961, columbiarestaurant.com
Friday, January 28: Corey Avenue St. Pete Beach
Join in on Corey Avenue's "Last Friday" wine tasting and scavenger hunt. Participating merchants offering refreshments, wine, prizes and more. Join the Pirate Scavenger Hunt for a chance to win a $50 Corey shopping certificate (costumes optional). Free event, 5-8 p.m. 300 Corey Ave., St. Pete Beach. 727-498-8778, coreyave.com
Friday, January 28: Sono Cafe Terrace at the Tampa Museum of Art
"20 and 25": Join Sono Cafe and Mise en place for "Cocktails for a Cause" to raise money for the Taste of the NFL's hunger relief efforts. Celebrating 20 years of Taste of the NFL and 25 years of Mise en Place. Wine, beer and cocktails served, plus anniversary specials and complimentary light appetizers from Chef Marty Blitz. Free event; 5-7 p.m. 120 W. Gasparilla Plaza, Tampa. 813-254-5373.
Friday, January 28: Cru Cellars
Attend this weekly tasting at Cru where you'll get to try five different wines accompanied by an assortment of cheeses, then get a whole glass of your favorite. $15, 6-8 p.m. 2506 S. MacDill Ave., Tampa. 813-831-1117; crucellarstampa.com
Friday, January 28: World of Wines of South Tampa
To celebrate Gasparilla Eve, World of Wines will be offering samples from Govone, Val D'oca and Delle Venezie Wineries of Italy and the Hop Kiln Vineyard in California. $10; 6-8 p.m. 3431 South West Shore Blvd, Tampa. 813-835-9463.
Friday, January 28: Bern's Fine Wine & Spirits
Spanish Crush Hour: This week, Bern's will be welcoming Bodegas Numanthia’s Winemaker Manuel Lezado and tasting all three Numanthia wines: Termes (91 Points), Numanthia (94 Points) & Termanthia (97 Points). Additional wines served will be from Marques de Grignon, one of Spain’s premier wineries. $25; 6:30-8:30 p.m. 1002 South Howard Ave., Tampa. 813-250-9463, bernsfinewines.com
Friday, January 28: Vintage Wine Cellars
Vintage is doing something a little different this week: a craft beer tasting! Sample four American IPAs, 4 winter and seasonal ales, and 4 Belgian brews. Complimentary beer fare munchies and cheeses served. (Stone Ruination IPA, Smuttynose IPA, Ballast Point Victory at Sea Porter, Cigar City Jose Marti Black IPA, Clipper City Loose Cannon IPA, Peak Organic Winter Sason Ale, Saxo by Caracole Belgian Wheat, Piraat Belgian Strong Ale and others) RSVP suggested. $10, 7-9 p.m. 3629 Henderson Blvd., Tampa. 813-879-2931, vintagewinecellars.net
Saturday, January 29: The Fresh Market South Tampa
Learn how to prepare Smokey Shrimp and Sweet Potato Chowder from the chefs at your local Fresh Market's. Free event; 1-4 p.m. 3722 Henderson Blvd., Tampa. 813-875-7400, thefreshmarket.com
Saturday, January 29: Publix Apron's Cooking School
Learn how to prepare some delightful dishes, paired with Oregon wines, from the Pacific Northwest in this watch, eat and sip demo at Apron's. Register here. $45, 6:30 p.m. 7835 Gunn Hwy, Tampa. 813-926-4465, publix.com/aprons/schools/Tampa
Sunday, January 30: Slow Food Meeting at St. Pete Main Branch Library
Join the Tampa Bay chapter of Slow Food USA this Sunday, January 30, to discuss projects and goals for the coming year. Meet the board members, exchange ideas, find out about what's going on with the group in 2011 and meet some new foodie friends. The meeting is free and, if you decide to join, it's only a $25 tax deductible donation for a yearly membership; same for current members wishing to renew. Free event; 3-5:45 p.m. St. Petersburg Public Library, Main branch auditorium: 3745 9th Avenue North in St. Pete. slowfoodtampabay.org
Monday, January 31: Bernini Restaurant
This is an informational meeting to finalize the local chapter of the US Bartenders Guild's application to USBG National and discuss the events planned for 2011. If you're interested in the art of mixology, this may be right up your alley. Free event, 3-6 p.m. 1702 East 7th Ave., Ybor City, Tampa.
Tuesday, February 1: Shor American Seafood Grill
This Italian-inspired dinner will pair Zonin wines with a seven-course meal by Shor's chefs Brad and Richard. The event will also feature entertaining and informative speakers, plus a live auction of rare Zonin 3L wines and Hyatt Chef Wine Dinner. Proceeds benefit Abilities' job placement services for disabled veterans returning from duty in Iraq and Afghanistan. RSVP required. $100 (all-inclusive), 6:30-10:30 p.m. 301 S. Gulfview Blvd., Clearwater. 727 373-1234, clearwaterbeach.hyatt.com
Thursday, February 3: Whole Foods Market
Blind tasting: Put your palate to the test and taste six wines from around the world without knowing what you're drinking. Points will be awarded for discerning the correct varietal and region, etc. Grand prize: a 3-liter bottle of Yangarra Shiraz! RSVP required. Email [email protected] to reserve your spot. Free event, 6:30 p.m. 1548 North Dale Mabry Hwy, Tampa. 813-874-9435, wholefoodsmarket.com/stores/tampa
Weekdays: Wood Fired Pizza Wine Bar
Monday- College Night: 2-4-1 happy hour with college or faculty ID, 5 p.m.- close; Tuesday- Half-priced wine bottles, 5 p.m.- close; Wednesday- 2-4-1 glasses of wine. 5p.m.- close; Thursday- $12 unlimited drafts, 8-10 p.m. 2822 E. Bearss Ave., Tampa. 813-341-2900, wood-firedpizza.com
Mondays: Peabody's
Penny pitchers! Buy one pitcher get the second for a penny, including well liquor pitchers and select draft beers. 15333 Amberly Dr., Tampa. 813-972-1725, peabodysbilliards.com
Tuesdays: Cafe Alma
Who needs a Friday or Saturday date night? Get out on a Tuesday to indulge half-priced bottles of wine and tapas all evening, starting at 4:30 p.m. Being frugal never tasted so good. 260 1st Avenue S., St. Pete. 727-502-5002
Tuesdays: Beak's Old Florida
Get 25% off Palm Plate entrees of steaks, pork and choice seafood dishes for "T-Bone Tuesdays" at Beak's (dine in only). 2451 Central Ave., St. Pete. 727-321-9100
Tuesdays: MacDinton's
Specials from 7-close, including: $2 Sam Adams Seasonal drafts, $2.50 Smirnoff vodkas, and $4 Smirnoff shots, and $3 build-your-own-burger. And free karaoke makes this night even better. 7 p.m.-3 a.m. 405 South Howard Ave, Tampa. 813-251-8999; macdintons.com
Wednesdays: World of Beer (all locations)
Half-off select drafts and, if you kill one of the kegs, you'll be the lucky winner of a $10 gift card to spend on even more beer at WOB. Open-close. www.wobusa.com
Fridays: Taps Wine and Beer Eatery
Ladies receive $4 martinis from 5-10 p.m. 777 N. Ashley Dr., Tampa. 813-463-1968, www.tapswineandbeer.com
Tampa Bay Fresh Markets: Click here to see a list of weekly markets in Tampa Bay.
