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@weeklyplanet.com.
SAY CHEESE Not all cheeses pair up well with all wines. Come 'round and find out which ones like each other. $10; includes souvenir glass and hors d'oeuvres. 6:30-8:30 p.m. Fri., March 31. Uncorked, 2706 Fourth St. N., St. Petersburg (727-892-WINE or www.uncorkedwines.com).
ITALIAN CRUSH HOUR This Friday night crush hour features eight Italian wines, paired with Italian cheeses. $25. 6:30-8:30 p.m. Fri, March 31. Bern's Fine Wines & Spirits, 1002 S. Howard Ave., Tampa (813-250-9463).
TASTE TWENTY-FIVE Savor 25 wines and bubblies from all over the world, and eclectic domestic and imported beers. $15 in advance; $20 at the door. 7:30 p.m. Fri., March 31. Charlie's Wine Cellar, 533 S. Howard Ave., Tampa (813-250-1967 or charlieswine.com).
SPAIN 101 This Spanish wine class covers cava to Sherry, with Rioja, Rias Baixas, and Ribera Del Duero in between. Taste wines that illustrate each region's differences. Taught by Amy Cairns from SideBern's. Reservations requested. $25. 6:30-8 p.m. Mon., April 3. Bern's Fine Wines & Spirits, 1002 S. Howard Ave., Tampa (813-250-9463).
ZIN LOVERS UNITE ZAP, an organization designed to introduce all wine lovers to California's home grape, descends upon Orlando for a huge wine tasting. Meet the winemakers and owners of over 40 California wineries and taste a wide array of red zinfandels. Ticket includes appetizers. $40 in advance only. 6-8:30 p.m. Mon., April 10. The Ballroom at Church Street, 225 S. Garland Ave., Orlando (www.zinfandel.org).
TASTINGS, A WINE EXPERIENCE The winner of Weekly Planet's 2005 Best New Wine Bar hosts wine tastings every week, and discounted flights on Saturdays. More details and tastings at www.awineexperience.com. $10. 6-8 p.m. Tastings, 149 First Ave. N., St. Petersburg (727-894-2255).
GRAND CRU WINE CELLARS Grand Cru holds wine tastings every Friday. $10. 6-9 p.m. Second Friday of every month features live music, beer tastings and food. Grand Cru, 1724 N. Dale Mabry, Tampa (813-269-8463).
GO ITALIAN Specialties Wines features a tasting of artisan Italian producers every Friday. Free. 6-9 p.m. Specialty Wines, 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 Mar 29 – Apr 4, 2006.