TAMPA BAY WINE AND FOOD FEST This inaugural wine fest promises to be the event of the year, complete with winemakers, plenty of wine, food and celebrity chefs. This three-day event also has wine seminars, cooking demos and other educational opportunities. Prices vary. May 17-19. Don Cesar Beach Hotel, 3400 Gulf Blvd., St. Pete Beach (866-630-5615 or tampabaywineandfoodfestival.com).
SEA GRAPES Get into the swim of things at the Sixth Annual Sea Grapes wine and food tasting. Sample appetizers from Bay area restaurants, drink fruits of the vine and wander the Aquarium. $65-$125. 7-10 p.m. Sat., May 19. The Florida Aquarium, 701 Channelside Drive, Tampa (813-273-4189 or flaquarium.org).
AUSSIE ORIGINALS From the land of platypuses and koalas come excellent shiraz, grenache and chardonnay. Taste 10 selections. $10. 7-9 p.m. Fri., May 18. Vintage Wine Cellars, 3629 Henderson Blvd., Tampa. (813-879-2931).
BEER ME Discover how beer is just as dynamic and innovative as wine. Beer geek Doug leads a class that covers all things beer, from its styles to how to store it. $15. 5:30-7 p.m. Sat., May 19. Uncorked, 2706 Fourth St. N., St. Petersburg (727-892-WINE or uncorkedwines.com).
ITALIAN WINE DINNER The Noho Bistro and Vintage Wine Cellars combine powers to celebrate the flavors of Italy. Menu includes Grilled Lamb Chops in Mushroom-Chianti Sauce, paired with Barbera d'Alba 2003 Giacomo Conterno. $75, all inclusive. Tues., May 22, 7 p.m. The Noho Bistro, 1714 N. Armenia Ave., Tampa (call 813-879-2941 for reservations).
SOUTH AMERICA REVEALED Malbec and Carmenere, paired with Spanish tapas. $15 in advance; $20 at the door. 7:30 p.m. Fri., May 18. Charlie's Wine Cellar, 533 S. Howard Ave., Tampa (813-250-1967 or charlieswine.com).
WINE FESTIVAL This festival includes a variety of fresh food, sauces, homemade arts and crafts, live music and a wine tasting. Free. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Sat., May 19. Florida Estates Winery, 3101 37th Ave. N. (727-526-2113 or floridaestateswines.com).
COSENTINO EXPLORATION Handcrafted and small production, this winery's offerings are worth the look. $10. 6:30-8:30 p.m. Wed., May 23. Tastings, 149 First Ave. N., St. Petersburg (727-894-2255 or awineexperience.com).
WEEKLY WINESTYLIN' WineStyles has wine tastings every Friday from 5-7 p.m. Free. WineStyles, 2800 W. Bay Drive, Belleair Bluffs (727-518-9463 or winestyles.net/belleair).
FREE TASTINGS Each week, Total Wine and More features a different selection of four to six wines from around the world. Free. Everyday. Total Wine and More, 1720 N. Dale Mabry, Tampa (813-350-9601 or totalwine.com).
UNCORK YOUR TASTE Cork & Olive, a chain of wine shops in the Bay area, offers free wine tastings daily at all locations. Find the nearest at corkandolive.com.
Got an upcoming or ongoing wine event? Send information to: The Wine List, 810 N. Howard Ave., Tampa, FL 33606, fax 813-739-4801 or e-mail winestuff@creativeloafing.com.
This article appears in May 16-22, 2007.
