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.
APRIL FOOL'S! Got Wine offers tastings of some of Italy's finest, and some fine April Fool's specials. Free. 6:30-8:30 p.m. Fri., April 1. Got Wine, 662 Main St., Dunedin (727-736-4077).
PARTY WITH A PURPOSE The Tampa Junior League hosts its annual wine and beer tasting fundraiser. Includes appetizers and silent auction. $25 in advance, $30 at door. 6:30-8:30 p.m. Fri., April 1. Vintage Wine Cellars, 3629 Henderson Blvd., Tampa. More info, contact Kristen Wells: 813-340-4851 or gfwctampajuniors.com.
LEARNING LOIRE Uncorked Wines educates us about Loire varietals like chenin blanc and cabernet franc. $10; includes souvenir glass and hors d'oeuvres. 6:30-8:30 p.m. Fri., April 1. Uncorked, 2706 Fourth St. N., St. Petersburg (727-892-WINE or uncorkedwines.com).
GET A WINE CLUE Spend a Saturday evening learning the fruits of the vine. Class topics include grape varietals and how to taste wines. $20 in advance, $25 at door; includes souvenir glass and snacks. 5-8 p.m. Sat., April 2. Florida Estates Winery, 25241 S.R. 52, Land O'Lakes (813- 996-2113 or www.floridaestateswines.com).
A LITTLE WINE WITH YOUR MARTINI? With a little something for everyone, Charlie's Wine Cellar pours four martinis, four wines and four beers. $10 in advance, $15 at door. 7:30 p.m. Sat., April 2. Charlie's Wine Cellar, 533 S. Howard Ave., Tampa (813-250-1967 or www.charlieswine.com).
SPANISH CLASSICS DINNER Columbia Restaurant in Ybor City presents a Spanish winemaker dinner, featuring one of the few female winemakers in Spain, María Martínez-Sierra of Bodegas Montecillo. Five-course dinner includes commentary by the winemaker. $50, all inclusive. 7 p.m. Wed., April 6. Columbia Restaurant, 2117 E. Seventh Ave., Ybor City (813-248-4961).
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).
UNCORK YOUR TASTE Cork & Olive offers a free wine tasting every day of the week at its stores in Clearwater, Brandon and St. Petersburg. Call or check the website for the closest location to you (800-709-0997 or www.corkandolive.com).
This article appears in Mar 30 – Apr 5, 2005.