Thursday, August 6: Put A Cork In It
Fun at the Flicks. Sample a winning combination: wine and movies. Enjoy a few libations while playing movie trivia games -- winners get passes to District 9, a new science-fiction thriller set in South Africa. Call in advance to reserve a spot. $8. 7-9 p.m., 28347 Paseo Dr., Tampa (407-654-2188)
Thursday, August 6: Toasted Pheasant Bistro
French Wine Dinner. Dine enjoy the four-course, wine-paired meal al fresco on the terrace. The menu includes: French onion soup, salad nicoise, chateubriand and apple tart. $45. 7-9:30 p.m.14445 N. Dale Mabry Hwy., Tampa (813-265-6700)
Thursday, August 6: Pan Y Vino
Pinot Noir Parade. Test your skills (and your taste buds) with a blind tasting of three Pinot Noirs while you savor a screening of Sideways. $8. 8-10 p.m., 352 Main St., Dunedin (727-734-7700)
Friday, August 7: World Wines of South Tampa
Down Under Friday. Sample selections from Australia's Barossa Valley by Stanley Lambert, paired with light appetizers. $5. 6-8 p.m., 3431 S. Westshore Blvd., Tamp (813-835-9463)
Friday, August 7: Publix Apron’s Cooking School
Drouhin Wines. The estate's biological and biodynamic approach to winemaking has resulted in a delicious, eco-friendly wine option. The menu, specially designed to complement each selection, includes: bay scallop pan roast with mushroom and brioche crumbs paired with Drouhin Laforet Chardonnay; halibut with mixed beans and lemon butter paired with Drouhin Macon Village; roast Cornish hens with fresh herbs and baby potatoes paired with Drouhin Beaujolais Village; raspberry crème fraiche tart with lavender honey paired with Drouhin Laforet Pinot Noir. $45. 6:30 p.m., 7835 Gunn Highway, Tampa (813-926-4465)
Friday, August 7: Uncorked Fine Wines and Accessories
Iconic Italian Wines. A few wines that always come to mind when we think of Italy: Chianti, Nero d'Avola, Pinot Grigio -- get back to basics at this sampling of Italy's most iconic wines. $10. 6:30-8:30 p.m., 2706 Fourth Street N., St. Petersburg (727-892-9463)
Saturday, August 8: The RITZ Ybor
Celebrate Sinatra. This 12th annual black-tie optional event features Italian inspired hors d'oeuvres, a cigar bar and music by Tom Tiratto and the full Joe Stagi Big Band Orchestra -- enough to make Ol' Blue Eyes proud. Please RSVP at CelebrateSinatra.com. $50. 9 p.m., 1501 E. Seventh Ave., Ybor City (813-247-2555)
Saturday, August 8: Ed’s Fine Wines
Long Island Wine Tasting. Sample fare from this unexpectedly delicious wine-producing region. Free. 1-4 p.m., 2454 McMullen Booth Rd., Ste. 102, Clearwater (727-791-9551)
Saturday, August 8: Vino, Java and Jazz
This event at the Florida Aquarium features wine samplings, special dishes, desserts, coffee, jazz music and a silent auction. Proceeds benefit the Tampa Bay Region of the Easter Seals Florida organization. $65 in advance, $80 at the door. 7-11 p.m., 701 Channelside Dr., Tampa (813-769-5915)
Saturday, August 8: Uncorked Fine Wines and Accessories
Exotic Ports of Call Swanky Tasting. Climb the Andes or feel the breeze of the Tuscan hills -- you'll feel like you're there at this wine tasting that features selection from Italy, Portugal, France, Uruguay, Argentina and more. Advance registration required. $25. 6:30-8:30 p.m., 2706 Fourth Street N., St. Petersburg (727-892-9463)
Monday, August 10: Aquastone Spa
Healthy Eating 101. "Healthy Chef" Sherell White explains which foods are good for you and why. Learn about nutrient dense foods, alkaline foods and organic foods. A cooking demonstration and tasting follow the class, including a menu of gluten- and sugar-free oat cereal, pesto tilapia or tofu, gluten-free chocolate roses and more. Please call in advance for reservations. $20. 6:30-7:45 p.m., 300 Beach Dr. NE, St. Petersburg (727-823-4636)
Tuesday, August 11: Publix Apron’s Cooking School
Hispanic Techniques. Learn to inject Latin flavor into your cooking in this four-part series of cooking classes. The course menu borrows from many Hispanic traditions, and includes: rellenos de papas; rice and beans with calabaza; salted codfish stewed in tomatoes and olives; coconut ice cream; cucumber soup; hearts of palm salad; pupusas; Honduras torrijas (ladyfingers in syrup); empanada de pino (meat turnover); bistec a lo pobre (traditional beefsteak); pastel de choclo (corn and meat pie); turron de vino (wine meringue); ceviche de pescado; aji (Andean-style Cchile paste); lomo saltado (steak with red wine); aji de gallina (spicy chicken); papas a la arequipena. $200 for all four classes. 10 a.m. Tuesdays, Aug. 11-Sept. 1., 7835 Gunn Highway, Tampa (813-926-4465)
Wednesday, August 12: Bern’s Fine Wines and Spirits
Potluck Wednesday. Beat the mid-week dinner blahs by stopping in for SideBern's gourmet take-away — and enjoy a complimentary mini-wine tasting while you wait. This week’s one-stop wonder is duck confit cannelloni, with roasted hazelnuts, arugula and caramelized onion. $19.95. 5-8 p.m., 1002 S. Howard Ave., Tampa (813-250-9463)
Wednesday, August 12: Rigatoni Tuscan Oven
Wild Tuscan Wednesdays. Every Wednesday for the duration of the summer, Rigatoni offers select pricing on high-end items like Alaskan snow crab and oysters, along with beer and pasta specials. $17-$22. 5-10 p.m., 3437 W. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa (813-879-7000)
Wednesday, August 12: The NoHo Bistro
Wine Wednesdays. Every week, enjoy a relaxing end to each “hump day” with this tapas and wine tasting. Each Wednesday has a new theme, so don’t miss out on any of these palate-pleasing pairings. This month's focus is the wines of California, and this week's theme is “Alexander Valley.” $15. 6-7 p.m., 1714 N. Armenia Ave., Tampa (813-514-0691)
Friday, August 14: Uncorked Fine Wines and Accessories
Is It Still Summer? There's still time to find a perfectly refreshing libation to beat the heat (since it'll still be here for another two or three months). Sample crisp whites and easy reds to keep you going through the dog days of summer. $10. 6:30-8:30 p.m., 2706 Fourth Street N., St. Petersburg (727-892-9463)
Sunday, August 16: B-21 Fine Wine & Spirits
Celebrate selections of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay at the Best of Burgundy and Beyond tasting and Sale. $25 before Aug. 14, $30 at the door. 2-5 p.m., 43380 US Hwy 19 N., Tarpon Springs (727-937-5049)
Tuesday, August 18: Publix Apron’s Cooking School
Hispanic Techniques. Learn to inject Latin flavor into your cooking in this four-part series of cooking classes. The course menu borrows from many Hispanic traditions, and includes: rellenos de papas; rice and beans with calabaza; salted codfish stewed in tomatoes and olives; coconut ice cream; cucumber soup; hearts of palm salad; pupusas; Honduras torrijas (ladyfingers in syrup); empanada de pino (meat turnover); bistec a lo pobre (traditional beefsteak); pastel de choclo (corn and meat pie); turron de vino (wine meringue); ceviche de pescado; aji (Andean-style Cchile paste); lomo saltado (steak with red wine); aji de gallina (spicy chicken); papas a la arequipena. $200 for all four classes. 10 a.m. Tuesdays, Aug. 11-Sept. 1., 7835 Gunn Highway, Tampa (813-926-4465)
Wednesday, August 19: The NoHo Bistro
Wine Wednesdays. Every week, enjoy a relaxing end to each “hump day” with this tapas and wine tasting. Each Wednesday has a new theme, so don’t miss out on any of these palate-pleasing pairings. This month's focus is the wines of California, and this week's theme is “Santa Barbera.” $15. 6-7 p.m., 1714 N. Armenia Ave., Tampa (813-514-0691)
Wednesday, August 19: Rigatoni Tuscan Oven
Wild Tuscan Wednesdays. Every Wednesday for the duration of the summer, Rigatoni offers select pricing on high-end items like Alaskan snow crab and oysters, along with beer and pasta specials. $17-$22. 5-10 p.m., 3437 W. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa (813-879-7000)
Thursday, August 20: SideBern's
Kathryn Hall Wine Dinner. Richard Reeves of the Kathryn Hall estate leads diners through a six-course Mediterranean meal prepared by Sidebern's chef Chad Johnson, paired with several of the winery's highly-rated selections, including: Bergfeld Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc and Hall Late Harvest Sauvignon Blanc. $125. 6:30 p.m., 2208 W. Morrison Ave., Tampa (813-258-2233)
Saturday, August 21: The Grapevine at Westchase
Long Island Wine Tasting. Sample fare from this unexpectedly delicious wine-producing region. Free. 4-8 p.m., 12125 W. Linebaugh Ave., Tampa (813-818-9463)
Monday, August 24: Aquastone Spa
Anti-Aging and Weight Management Cooking Class. "Healthy Chef" Sherell White shares nutrition facts, which foods in your diet are costing you calories, and what to replace them with, before her cooking demonstration. The menu includes: herb-seasoned Alaskan sockeye salmon, sherry-peppered tofu steaks, broccoli-cabbage slaw, brown rice pilaf, gluten-free chocolate buckwheat donuts and more. $45. 6:30-8:30 p.m., 300 Beach Dr. NE, St. Petersburg (727-823-4636)
Tuesday, August 25: Publix Apron’s Cooking School
Hispanic Techniques. Learn to inject Latin flavor into your cooking in this four-part series of cooking classes. The course menu borrows from many Hispanic traditions, and includes: rellenos de papas; rice and beans with calabaza; salted codfish stewed in tomatoes and olives; coconut ice cream; cucumber soup; hearts of palm salad; pupusas; Honduras torrijas (ladyfingers in syrup); empanada de pino (meat turnover); bistec a lo pobre (traditional beefsteak); pastel de choclo (corn and meat pie); turron de vino (wine meringue); ceviche de pescado; aji (Andean-style Cchile paste); lomo saltado (steak with red wine); aji de gallina (spicy chicken); papas a la arequipena. $200 for all four classes. 10 a.m. Tuesdays, Aug. 11-Sept. 1., 7835 Gunn Highway, Tampa (813-926-4465)
Wednesday, August 26: The NoHo Bistro
Wine Wednesdays. Every week, enjoy a relaxing end to each “hump day” with this tapas and wine tasting. Each Wednesday has a new theme, so don’t miss out on any of these palate-pleasing pairings. This month's focus is the wines of California, and this week's theme is “Napa Valley.” $15. 6-7 p.m., 1714 N. Armenia Ave., Tampa (813-514-0691)
Wednesday, August 26: Rigatoni Tuscan Oven
Wild Tuscan Wednesdays. Every Wednesday for the duration of the summer, Rigatoni offers select pricing on high-end items like Alaskan snow crab and oysters, along with beer and pasta specials. $17-$22. 5-10 p.m., 3437 W. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa (813-879-7000)
Thursday, August 27: Mise En Place
Cocktail Club. Learn about your favorite spirits before sampling them with the guidance of sommeliers, bartenders, industry professionals, winemakers and more at this upscale monthly networking event. This month’s cocktail is single-malt scotch. $35. 6-8 p.m., 442 W. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa (813-961-8388)
Tuesday, September 1: Publix Apron’s Cooking School
Hispanic Techniques. Learn to inject Latin flavor into your cooking in this four-part series of cooking classes. The course menu borrows from many Hispanic traditions, and includes: rellenos de papas; rice and beans with calabaza; salted codfish stewed in tomatoes and olives; coconut ice cream; cucumber soup; hearts of palm salad; pupusas; Honduras torrijas (ladyfingers in syrup); empanada de pino (meat turnover); bistec a lo pobre (traditional beefsteak); pastel de choclo (corn and meat pie); turron de vino (wine meringue); ceviche de pescado; aji (Andean-style Cchile paste); lomo saltado (steak with red wine); aji de gallina (spicy chicken); papas a la arequipena. $200 for all four classes. 10 a.m. Tuesdays, Aug. 11-Sept. 1., 7835 Gunn Highway, Tampa (813-926-4465)
Thursday, September 3: SideBern's
Next Level Barbecue. It's not your run-of-the-mill Labor Day cookout, that's for sure. Chef Chad Johnson rolls out a variety of preparations of his favorite ingredient -- pig. From pulled pork shoulder in a cider vinegar sauce to cumin-charred spare ribs to beer-braised pork belly, this is one party that'll send vegetarians running in the other direction. Chef Chad doesn't ignore the other food groups, though; he includes Southern-style greens, potato salad and peach cobbler on the menu. Wash down all the good grub with a selection of brews from Unibroue, like the apple-tinged Ephemere or the rich, hearty La Terrible. Visit bernsfinewines.com to RSVP. $45. 6:30-8:30 p.m., 2208 W. Morrison Ave., Tampa (813-258-2233)
