PARTY WITH A PURPOSE Fine Wine and Spirits hosts a tasting with over 60 wines from excellent producers like Archery Summit and Croze. Food by Art of the Feast. $30 per person, $50 per couple; proceeds benefit Phoenix House of Florida. 6-8 p.m. Thurs., Sept. 29. Mike Kwasin's Residence, 3613 S. Beach Drive, Tampa (813-837-8941).
ARE YOU EXPERIENCED? Tampa Bay Uncorked joins up with Tampa Bay's newest concept in wine sampling at Tastings, A Wine Experience. Choose from over 120 wines. $32.50; includes ticket, hors d'oeuvres and $20 self-serve wine card. 7-9 p.m. Thurs., Sept. 29. Info/tickets: tampabayuncorked.org.
BRUNCH LOVIN' WINES Taste wines specially selected to pair well with brunch items. $10; includes souvenir glass and hors d'oeuvres. 6:30-8:30 p.m. Fri., Sept. 30. Uncorked, 2706 Fourth St. N., St. Petersburg (727-892-WINE or www.uncorkedwines.com).
WINES, BUBBLIES AND BEERS Try wines, beers and sparkling wines from all over the world. $15 in advance, $20 at door. 7:30 p.m. Fri., Sept. 30. Charlie's Wine Cellar, 533 S. Howard Ave., Tampa (813-250-1967).
POST-BOAT SHOW TASTING Café Dufrain hosts a free wine tasting on its waterfront patio. Free. 6-8 p.m. Sat., Oct. 1. Café Dufrain, 707 Harbour Post Drive, Tampa (813-275-9701 or www.cafedufrain.com).
GO ORGANIC Berns' Amy Cairns explores the principles of organic and biodynamic winemaking, and pairs wines with farmstead cheeses. Reservations requested. $50. 6:30-8 p.m. Mon., Oct. 3. Bern's Fine Wines & Spirits, 1002 S. Howard Ave., Tampa (813-250-9463).
PEPPER MILL WINE DINNER Country Vintner wines and Pepper Mill restaurant raise funds for the Abilities Foundation. $65, all inclusive. 6:30 p.m. Thurs., Oct. 6. The Pepper Mill, 1575 S. Ft. Harrison Ave., Clearwater (more info/R.S.V.P.: 727-538-7370, ext. 349).
GO ITALIAN Specialties Wines features a tasting of artisan Italian producers every Friday. Free. 6-9 p.m. 11803 Martin Luther King Blvd., Seffner (813-413-2003).
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 www.corkandolive.com.
This article appears in Sep 28 – Oct 4, 2005.