THURSDAY: BELLEAIR GRILL & WINE BAR
Forget the reds, this week is all about summer whites, with five courses of food paired with crystal clear vino from around the world. $49, 6:30-9:30 p.m., Aug. 21, Belleair Grill & Wine Bar, 1575 S. Fort Harrison Ave., Clearwater (727-449-2988 or belleairgrill.com).
FRIDAY: CHARLIE'S WINE BAR
This Friday's tasting compares French and California winemaking, from chardonnay to Rhone reds, with food. $20, 7:30-9:30 p.m., Aug. 22, Charlie's Wine Bar, 533 S. Howard Ave., Tampa (charlieswine.com).
FRIDAY: UNCORKED FINE WINES
For anyone happy about the beginning of school — parents, most like, or sad teachers, I expect — Uncorked will be pouring celebratory and mourning wines just for you. $10, 6:30-8:30 p.m., Aug. 22, Uncorked Fine Wines, 2706 Fourth St. N., St. Petersburg (727-892-9463 or uncorkedwines.com).
FRIDAY: VINO 100 BRANDON
Want to know what the wine grunts at Vino 100 like to drink? They'll be pouring their faves at this Friday's tasting. Free, 5-7 p.m., Aug. 22, Vino 100 Brandon, 1038 Bloomingdale Drive, Valrico (813-654-8466 or vino100brandon.com).
FRIDAY: VINTAGE WINE CELLARS
Explore the joy of different grape varietals in a tasting featuring 10 different grapes, from chardonnay to Primitivo. $10, 7-9 p.m., Aug. 22, Vintage Wine Cellars, 3629 henderson Blvd., Tampa (813-879-2931 or vintagewinecellars.net).
SATURDAY: CHARLIE'S WINE BAR
Get some wine, four courses of food and a heaping helping of education in this seminar on Spanish and Argentine wines. $35, 7:30-9:30 p.m., Aug. 23, Charlie's Wine Bar, 533 S. Howard Ave., Tampa (charlieswine.com).
SATURDAY: UNCORKED FINE WINES
South of the equator wines will be pitted one against the other in this installment of Uncorked's Swanky Tasting series. Advanced reservations required. $25, 7-9 p.m., Aug. 23, Uncorked Fine Wines, 2706 Fourth St. N., St. Petersburg (727-892-9463 or uncorkedwines.com).
SATURDAY: VINO 100 ST. PETERSBURG
Sippin's Saturdays continues with an extended afternoon of wines open and available for tasting. Free, 1-7 p.m., Aug. 23, Vino 100 St. Petersburg, 5056 Fourth St. N., St. Petersburg (727-522-8466 or vino100stpete.com).
SATURDAY: WINEMALL
This Internet retailer also has a brick-and-mortar store and wine bar, where they'll be pouring a variety of wines with passed hors d'ouevres. $10, 6-8 p.m., Aug. 23, Winemall, 11246 W. Hillsborough Ave., Tampa (813-855-7711 or winemall.com).
TUESDAY: BELLEAIR GRILL & WINE BAR
Every Tuesday, Belleair breaks out three wines that aren't usually available by the glass and pours them in flights. Buy a bottle, flight or glass of the stuff and you'll also get half-price appetizers. 5-9 p.m., Aug. 26, Belleair Grill & Wine Bar, 1575 S. Fort Harrison Ave., Clearwater (727-449-2988 or belleairgrill.com).
This article appears in Aug 20-26, 2008.