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 [email protected].
CL's Best Bets
SPAIN/ARGENTINA WINE/DINE/LEARN Charlie's will teach you about vino while stuffing you full of food and full-glass pours of three examples of the winemaker's art. This week features Spanish and South American wines, with four courses of food to match and a whole lot of education. $35, 7:30-9:30 p.m., Sat., May 24, Charlie's Wine Bar, 533 S. Howard Ave., Tampa (charlieswine.com).
ANYTHING BUT CABERNET AT VINTAGE These days, everyone should know the options to those big fruit monsters that dominate wine lists everywhere, but if you need to expand your horizons, this tasting is for you. There will be a couple of whites and eight reds, with not a cab in sight. $10, 7-9 p.m., Fri., May 23, Vintage Wine Cellars, 3629 Henderson Blvd., Tampa (813-879-2931 or vintagewinecellars.net).
THE NEW BELLEAIR GRILL AND WINE BAR This is the first wine dinner under the new regime at Belleair Grill, with seven courses to introduce you to the new menu paired with wines from the new list. Sample halibut with porcini mushrooms with a stellar verdicchio, goat cheese-crusted lamb with a big, young Bordeaux and more. And the price is better than right, at $69 including tax and gratuity. $69, 6:30-9:30 p.m., Thurs., May 22, Belleair Grill and Wine Bar, 1575 S. Fort Harrison Ave., Clearwater (727-449-2988 or belleairgrill.com).
ONGOING EVENTS
A&L FINE WINES WEEKLY TASTINGS A&L hosts weekly tastings on Friday nights (5-8 p.m.) and Saturday afternoons (1-4 p.m.). A&L Fine Wines, 35249 U.S. 19 N., Palm Harbor (727-781-4760 or aandlfinewines.com).
CHARLIE'S WINE CELLAR Charlie's hosts Friday night seated tastings with food pairings, as well as bigger monthly tastings the last Friday of the month. On Saturday nights, Charlie hosts Wine, Dine and Learn seminars that include a lecture and full dinner. Charlie's Wine Cellar & Wine Bar, 533 S. Howard Ave., Tampa (813-250-1967 or charlieswine.com).
CORK & OLIVE 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.
FLORIDA ESTATES WINERY Florida Estates hosts monthly wine festivals and markets along with occasional wine classes. Florida Estates Winery Land O'Lakes, 25241 S.R. 52, Land O'Lakes (813-996-2113 or floridaestateswines.com).
GRAPE Each Wednesday, sample pre-selected white half glasses for $10 and three pre-selected reds for $12. Includes complimentary appetizers. Wednesdays, 5-7 p.m. The Grape at International Plaza, 2223 N. West Shore Blvd., Tampa (813-354-9463).
TASTINGS: A WINE EXPERIENCE Tastings happen every Wednesday night between 6:30-8:30 p.m. Most are organized around a theme and include food and wine pairing, all for $15. Tastings: A Wine Experience, 149 First Ave. N, St. Petersburg (727-894-2255 or awineexperience.com).
TOTAL WINE Each week, the Tampa location features a selection of four to six wines from areas around the world. Total Wine and More, 1720 North Dale Mabry, Tampa (813-350-9601 or totalwine.com).
UNCORKED Uncorked hosts Friday night tastings from 6:30-8:30 p.m. every week, as well as occasional "swankier" nights. Uncorked Fine Wines & Accessories, 2706 Fourth St. N., St. Petersburg (727-892-9463 or uncorked.com).
WINESTYLES WineStyles offers daily "style" tastings to help you determine your wine preferences. Free. 5-8 p.m., Mon-Sat. WineStyles, 2800 W. Bay Drive, Belleair Bluffs (727-518-9463 or winestyles.net/belleair).
VINO 100 ST. PETE Every Saturday, Vino 100 hosts a free tasting from 1-7 p.m. consisting of five to six wines. Vino 100 St. Pete, 5056 Fourth St. N., St. Petersburg (727-522-8466 or vino100stpete.com).
VINO 100 VALRICO Every Saturday, Vino 100 hosts a free tasting from 12-5 p.m. consisting of five to six wines. Vino 100 Brandon/Valrico, 1038 Bloomingdale Ave., Valrico (813-654-8466 or vino100brandon.com).
VINTAGE WINE CELLARS Vintage offers weekly, Friday night tastings for $10 (from 7-9 p.m.) that usually include a lot of sipping options. Vintage Wine Cellars, 3629 Henderson Blvd., Tampa (813-879-2931 or vintagewinecellars.com).
