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 brian.ries@creativeloafing.com.
Best Bets:
UPPER TAMPA GETS DOWN Not sure is Upper Tampa is a legit region, but they have their own chamber of commerce and throw their own charity wine events. It's the usual shtick: silent auction, wines from The Grapevine at Racetrack and food from local restaurants like Alberto's, Ponte's Tuscan Grill and others. Better yet, while filling up on vino and vittles you'll be entertained by prancing elementary- , middle- and high-school students to remind you where your entry fee is going. $50 ($75 VIP). 6 p.m., Sat., April 12, Nielsen Media Research, 501 Brooker Creek Blvd., Oldsmar (727-403-7636 or utbchamber.com).
B-21's BOMB TASTING If you make one tasting this month, make it B-21's massive Bordeaux vs. Cabernet blow-out. For this annual shindig, B-21 pulls out a huge selection of New World Cabs and wines from Bordeaux, including some early hits from the 2005 vintage that can give you a taste of what's to come. The tasting is reservation only, so get on the phone now. $25. 2 p.m., Sun., April 13, B-21 Fine Wines & Spirits, 43380 U.S. 19 N., Tarpon Springs (727-937-5049 or b-21.com).
MASTER COATES Clive Coates has been writing about wine since before many people sampled their first glass. This British Master of Wine will be holding court at West Palm Wines this week as part of his annual U.S. tour (don't mess with his roadies). After a meet and greet, you'll be able to sit down with Coates and work through some spectacular wines, including a slew of premiere cru white and red Burgundies and Faiveley's awesome Mazis-Chambertin. Food will also be provided. $295. 6-9 p.m., April 14, West Palm Wines, 2009 N. 22nd St., Tampa (813-241-8587).
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 Both locations host 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); Florida Estates Winery St. Petersburg, 3101 37th Ave. N, St. Petersburg (727-526-2113 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).
This article appears in Apr 9-15, 2008.