Thursday, September 10: The Palm
Herradura Tequila Dinner. An ambassador from the blue agave tequila house hosts this four-course dinner and tasting tutorial. Learn to properly sip and pair the variety of agave expressions (Blanco, Reposado, Añejo and Extra Añejo), as well as the history of Herradura and insights on the rising popularity of tequila over the years. Reserve seats in advance by contacting [email protected]. $98. 6:30 p.m., 205 Westshore Plaza, Tampa (813-849-0697)
Thursday, September 10: Publix Aprons Cooking School
Nick Stellino. The celeb chef -- of Oprah Winfrey Show and Good Morning America fame -- leads the class. The menu includes: spinach salad with feta cheese and seedless grapes; pasta with cherry tomatoes, basil, and shrimp; pork chops with nancibella sauce; and pears in red wine sauce. $50. 6:30 p.m., 7835 Gunn Highway, Tampa (813-926-4465)
Thursday, September 10: 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 weeks focus is aromas and bouquets of wine, and how to identify the ingredients that make your favorite vino so delish. E-mail [email protected] to reserve a spot. $25, $20 for CCC members. 6-7:30 p.m., 4537 Lowell Road, Tampa (813-269-1310)
Friday, September 11 Saturday, September 12: The Toasted Pheasant
Toasted Pheasant Gone Wild. Tonight, you wont find chicken and steak on the menu, but an exotic array of game, including quail, elk, buffalo, rabbit, alligator and more (no word yet on the wild salamander). 14445 N. Dale Mabry Hwy., Tampa (813-265-6700)
Friday, September 11: Mazzarros Italian Market
Weekly Wine Tastings. This week, its a Napa vs. Sonoma showdown with a selection of Chardonnays, Cabernets and Zinfandels. Free. 1-5 p.m., 2209 22nd Ave. N., St. Petersburg (727-321-2400)
Friday, September 11: Vintage Wine Cellars
Guess That Grape. This mystery wine tasting features ten different reds and whites from around the world -- can you tell the difference between a Cabernet and a Chiati? $10. 7-9 p.m., 3629 Henderson Blvd., Tampa (813-879-2931)
Saturday, September 12: Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center, Ferguson Hall
IMAGINE. This food and wine tasting is accompanied by a 70s-themed performance by the vivacious and talented TBPAC cabaret singers, with proceeds to benefit Parkinson's Disease and movement disorders research. Visit movementdisorders.health.usf.edu or tbpac.org for more info. $75 general, $125 VIP. 6:30 p.m., 1010 N. MacInnes Place, Tampa (813-229-7827)
Saturday, September 12: Park Square Cellar
Grand Reopening. Seems like the only resurrections lately are of bad TV shows, but tonight you can sample more than 100 wines -- gratis -- in celebration of Park Square's resurrection from the land of closed businesses. There'll also be food, music and and array of entertainment to kick off the new start. Free. 1-4 p.m., 16132 Churchview Dr., Lithia (813-689-4560)
Saturday, September 12: Mazzarros Italian Market
Sample a selection of Malbecs, Sauvignon Blancs and Nero dAvola from Argentina and Italy. Free. 11 a.m.-2 p.m.., 2209 22nd Ave. N., St. Petersburg (727-321-2400)
Monday, September 14: Datz Deli
Merchant du Vin Beer Dinner. It may be football season, but you'll find nary a Bud Light at this dinner,which is sure to please anyone with a taste for a refined, refreshing brew. Datz forgoes their deli-ghtful sammies for some fancier fare. The menu includes: Sonoma jack fritters paired with Ayinger Brau Weisse; Cajun shrimp brochettes on sourdough paired with Orval Trappist Ale; roasted Cornish game hen with pomme poached apples paired with Samuel Smith Nut Brown; smoked and braised short ribs with five-onion cavalo nero and creamy polenta, paired with Ayinger Celebrator; and a dessert duet paired with Samuel Smith Oatmeal Stout and Lindemans Framboise. $45. 6 p.m., 2616 S. MacDill Ave., Tampa (813-831-7000)
Monday, September 14: The Toasted Pheasant
Cooking Class: Patty Cake, Patty Cake, Bake Some Bread. And get a little toasty with a free glass of wine with your dinner while the chefs teach you how to make semolina bread rolls, cinnamon raisin bread and lick-your-fingers-good cinnamon rolls. $27. 6:30 p.m., 14445 N. Dale Mabry Hwy., Tampa (813-265-6700)
Monday, September 14: Put a Cork In It
Meet the Sommelier. Learn about the wide world of wine from a certified expert at this tasting event. Learn what you like (and why you like it) and how to properly imbibe your vino of choice. $15. 6:30-8:30 p.m., 28347 Paseo Dr., Wesley Chapel (813-973-8338)
Wednesday, September 16: Whole Foods
Cheese Class. Erik Woody leads this tasting of French cheeses. Contact [email protected] 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 bistros 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)
Thursday, September 17: Publix Aprons 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: Mazzarros 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)
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 years theme is?) Local restuarants including Berns and Sideberns, Bin 27, Chez Bryce, NoHo Bistro, The Rack and more provide haute cuisine, and a silent auction rounds out the evenings offerings. Visit thegrapefather.org for more info. $50 and up. 711 N. Franklin St., Tampa (813-274-8981)
Saturday, September 19: Mazzarros 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)
Tuesday, September 22: The NoHo Bistro
Harvest Wine Dinner. Underdog Wines are paired with each of the meals 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)
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 weeks focus is "discovering champagne and sparkling wine." E-mail [email protected] 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)
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 weeks focus is "traveling aroud the wine globe." E-mail [email protected] to reserve a spot. $25, $20 for CCC members. 6-7:30 p.m., 4537 Lowell Road, Tampa (813-269-1310)
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 weeks focus is "the art of blind tasting." E-mail [email protected] 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 weeks focus is "food, cheese and dessert wine pairings." E-mail [email protected] 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 weeks focus is "elements of terroir on wines." E-mail [email protected] to reserve a spot. $25, $20 for CCC members. 6-7:30 p.m., 4537 Lowell Road, Tampa (813-269-1310)