Friday, December 18: Uncorked Fine Wine and Spirits
Make It Good: Last Wine Tasting of 2009. Celebrate the first decade of the 21st century with really good wine and bubbly at tonight's tasting. $10, 6:30-8:30 p.m., 2706 Fourth Street N., St. Petersburg (727-892-9463)
Friday, December 18: American Spirits
Third Friday Tasting. No themes or schticks (uh, boring! I like a little gimmick with my wine), just a tasting of American Spirit's newest wines. In honor of the last tasting of 2009, tonight's wines -- which include plenty in the $20-$40 range like Trefethen Napa Cabernet, Ridge Ponzo Zinfandel, Terrabianca Campaccio, Loma Larga Syrah, a white Chateauneuf-du-Pape and more -- all perfectly paired with hors d'oeuvres. Free. 7-9 p.m., 280 Third St. S., St. Petersburg (727-895-8700)
Friday, December 18: World of Wines of South Tampa
Wined Down to Christmas. You're finishing the last of your turkey sandwiches and trying to figure out yet another use for the leftover stuffing, but the stress of Christmas preparations is already starting to set in. Assuage some of that stress (and get some wine gift-giving ideas) with tonight's tasting that includes pours of Sebastiani Pinot Noir; Trevor Jones Virgin Chardonnay; Vendemmia Masi Campofiorin; Toad Hollow Zinfandel; Bohemian Highway Pinot Grigio; and Bitch Grenache -- all perfectly paired with hand-selected hors d'oeuvres. $10. 6-8 p.m., 3431 S. West Shore Blvd., Tampa (813-835-9463)
Saturday, December 19: Tank's Tap Room
Very Beery Winterfest. The ale experts at Tank's pour new spicy winter brews from Rogue, Anchor, Dekonick, Gordan Biersch and more. Free. 4 p.m., 13150 N. Dale Mabry Hwy., Tampa (813-961-2337)
Saturday, December 19: Bern’s Fine Wines and Spirits
Happy Holidays. Bern’s is offering a bite of holiday cheer: buy any wine or spirit and take your same-day receipt to the Sidebern’s bar for a complimentary Chef’s Choice bite from the lounge menu. 1002 S. Howard Ave., Tampa (813-250-9463)
Saturday, December 19: Whole Foods
Sushi Demo and Sake Tasting. Usually, supermarket "samplers" are limited to stale crackers or sketcky-looking salamis. Not today; enjoy a free class and samples at the sushi-making demonstration, accompanied by some sake to wash it down. Free. 1:30-2:30 p.m., 1548 N. Dale Mabry Hwy., Tampa (813-874-9724)
Saturday, December 19: Vino 100
Premium Wine Tasting. Find the perfect seasonal wine for yourself or your gracious holiday host. $10. 1-7 p.m. 5056 4th St. N., St. Petersburg (727-522-8466)
Sunday, December 20: NoHo Bistro
Christmas Brunch. Chock full of the season's flavors - stuffed gingerbread French toast; cheddar cheese souffle; eggs florentine with crab; pumpkin flan; and butternut squash gnocchi, house-made eggnog and more. $12 per item. 10 a.m.-3 p.m., 1714 N. Armenia Ave., Tampa (813-514-0691)
Monday, December 21-Wednesday, December 23: Publix Apron’s Cooking School
Dorm Room Dining. Ever wonder what you could create with a toaster oven, a microwave, and an electric skillet? (Assuming they’re allowed in your living quarters; try not to burn the whole building down in the process of creating a shoestring gourmet feast for your friends). Try this three-day course with a menu that includes: (Day 1: Breakfast) sausage gravy and biscuits; the Denver frittata; breakfast taquitos; stuffed French toast; an Jason’s ultimate breakfast. (Day 2: Dinner) chicken stirfry; pepper steak and rice; spaghetti and meatballs; wet burritos; and pizza (say hello to a dorm-living staple); and (Day 3: Late Night Munchies) skillet chili pasta; ultimate nachos; tuna cheesy mac; grilled fluffernutter; and Italian popcorn. $100. 10 a.m., 7835 Gunn Highway, Tampa (813-926-4465)
Wednesday, December 23: Vino 100
Holiday Wine Tasting. Find the perfect seasonal wine for yourself or your gracious holiday host, paired with palate-pleasing hors d'oeuvres. Free. 5-8 p.m. 5056 4th St. N., St. Petersburg (727-522-8466)
Saturday, December 26: Vino 100
Sippin’ Saturday. Enjoy this event that features a new selection of outstanding international (but budget-friendly) wines every week. Free. 1-7 p.m. 5056 4th St. N., St. Petersburg (727-522-8466)
Wednesday, December 30: Vino 100
Visit Argentina and Chile Wine Tasting. Now that it's so much harder to get a passport, consider that trip to South America a vacation that'll be a long time coming. Good thing you can get some of Argentina and Chile's bets imported wines at tonight's tasting, led by expert sommelier Jennifer Bingham from Global Wines, who explores three popular grapes of the region: Malbec, Torrontes and Carmenere. Free. 5-8 p.m., 5056 Fourth Street N., St. Petersburg (727-522-8466)
Thursday, December 31: The Vine
New Year's Celebration. Resolutions are a great way to start the New Year; you'll likely need a whole new list after an evening of champagne and parties that will cap off 2009. Tonight, The Vine offers a four-course early seating and a five-course late seating, both accompanied by fizzy splits. $60 early dinner; $80 late dinner. 6 p.m. early dinner, 8:30 p.m. late dinner, 17667 Dale Mabry N., Lutz (813-964-8463)
Thursday, December 31: Whole Foods
Happy New Year. A sparkling wine tasting (better get started early, after all; otherwise you won't have any regrets to add to your list of resolutions for 2010) accompanied by perfectly paired hors d'oeuvres. Free. noon-4 p.m., 1548 N. Dale Mabry Hwy., Tampa (813-874-9724)
Friday, January 8: Uncorked Fine Wine and Spirits
Flashing Tie and Psychedelic Pink Sweater Wine Tasting. This third annual event celebrates the most unwanted, ugliest, tacky-beyond-belief Christmas gifts that many of us were unfortunate enough to receive this year. At least it's good for something -- the most awful among them wins a prize. $10. 6:30-8:30 p.m., 2706 Fourth Street N., St. Petersburg (727-892-9463)
Tuesday, January 12: The Vine
Icons of The Andes Wine Dinner. A five-course dinner paired with the finest of South American wines. $80. 7-9 p.m., 17667 Dale Mabry N., Lutz (813-964-8463)
Wednesday, January 13: Lou's Wine Garden
Wine 101. Lou's teams up with Tampa Wine Women to offer this class on wine etiquette, basics of tasting, identifying the “noble” grapes by aroma and flavor, and basic guidelines for pairing wine and food. $20. 6-7:30 p.m., 7800 Blind Pass Road, St. Pete Beach (727-259-9664)
