Wednesday, August 3: Cafe Dufrain
At this special tasting event, try out Tito's Vodka for yourself and meet the maker, Grant Portier. Get a free tasting of the vodka and half-off all Tito's cocktails, including The "Double D" (Tito's, Cointreau, white cranberry, fresh basil, fresh strawberries). Free; 6-7:30 p.m. 707 Harbour Post Drive, Tampa, 813-275-9701, cafedufrain.com
Wednesday, August 3: Cru Cellars
Tonight marks Cru's monthly Cru Book Club. Have a glass of wine and cheeses paired with this month's selected book, "Bossypants" by Tina Fey. To RSVP, email Jen: [email protected]. $15; 6:30 p.m. 2506 S. MacDill Ave., Tampa, 813-831-1117, crucellarstampa.com
Wednesday, August 3: Whole Foods Market
With the kids going back to school soon, learn to prepare a variety of go-to quick and easy meals that take very little prep time and even less cooking time at this free class. Please register by the exit lobby or by emailing [email protected]. Free; 6:30-7:30 p.m. 1548 North Dale Mabry Hwy, Tampa. 813-874-9435, wholefoodsmarket.com
Thursday, August 4: Total Wine & More - St. Pete
Attend this beer '101' to learn interesting, good-to-know beer basics and to taste some not-so-basic beers. Class includes beer selections, tasting sheets, take home educational materials, and discounts on the beer presented in class. Class size limited to 30 people; call to RSVP. $15; 6:30-8:30 p.m. 4880 Park Street N., St. Pete, 727-544-6018, totalwine.com
Friday, August 5: Kalamazoo Olive Company
Get the chance to sample the new Fingerprints line of wines by Terrasur Argentinean Winery at Kalamazoo Olive — a specialty food store that specializes in imported olive oil and balsamic vinegars. RSVP to: [email protected]. Free; 5:30-7:30 p.m. 449 Central Ave., St. Pete, 727-258-4925, kalamazooolive.com
Friday, August 5: World of Wines of South Tampa
At this wine tasting, try several fine wines from Bridlewood, Red Rock, LaMarca, and Martin Codax wineries. Complimentary hors d'oeuvres will be served to complement these selections. $10; 6-8 p.m. 3431 South West Shore Blvd, Tampa, 813-835-9463, worldofwinesofsouthtampa.com
Friday, August 5: Safety Harbor Resort and Spa
Spend an evening in Paris at this Abilities Guild fundraiser dinner where French culinary artist, Francois Deforges, will prepare a sumptuous seven-course meal. French wines will be paired with all courses, and the evening will also include music and a live auction. Following the dinner, the wines served will be available for purchase at discounted prices. The Safety Harbor Resort and Spa is also offering a special room rate of $79 for August 5 to those who attend this event: Call 727-726-1161 to reserve a room. To make a reservation or for more information, call Abilities Guild President Sherrie Morton at 727 581-8313 or email at [email protected]. All proceeds from Parisian Enchantment will go to the Abilities Foundation for disabled veterans. $75; 6:30-10:30 p.m. 106 N. Bayshore Drive, Safety Harbor, 727-581-8313, abilitiesfoundation.com
Friday, August 5: Bern's Fine Wines & Spirits
Join Bern's for this Melville & Brewer-Clifton Crush Hour tasting. Melville & Brewer-Clifton are two small, super-premium producers in the Santa Rita Hills AVA (American Viticultural Area) of California's Central Coast. Sample eight of their estate and single-vineyard Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs paired with artisanal cheese selections from Bern’s Cave du Fromage and housemade breads. Call to RSVP. $25; 6:30-8:30 p.m. 1002 South Howard Ave., Tampa, 813-250-9463, bernsfinewines.com.
Saturday August 6: Palm Harbor House of Beer
Support beer and breast cancer research at this fundraiser for Palm Harbor's 3 Day Walk team. Offering free food at 7 p.m., live music with Bam Boo Da at 8pm, raffles and pink HoB 3 Day Walk team limited edition shirts. All proceeds from the t-shirt and raffle will go toward the walk team, as well as $1 from each beer sold all day. Free event; open-close. 34970 U.S. 19, Palm Harbor, 727-784-2337, palmharborhob.com
Saturday, August 6: Zen Forrest
"Tampa Wine Woman" Jodi Fritch and local craft beer connoisseur Mark Bacon are hosting a unique beer and wine pairing dinner featuring the Vietnamese cuisine of Zen Forrest in New Port Richey. Guests will enjoy three small plates accompanied by some adult beverages — the first two being paired with Mark's craft beer selections and the final course pairing being a wine handpicked by Jodi. RSVP to Zen Forrest: 727-372-9545. $30 (gratuity not included); 7 p.m. 4148 Rowan Road, New Port Richey, 727-372-9545, zenforrest.com.
Saturday, August 6: Lowry Park Zoo
Indulge in the 16th annual "tropical taste explosion" that is WaZoo at Lowry Park Zoo. Featuring 250 beers and beverages from around the world, dishes from an array of local restaurants and live music from local artists. The Blue Moon Beastly Beverage Club, the event’s VIP party in the zoo’s Safari Lodge, provides the only air-conditioned space at WaZoo, with early entry at 6:45 p.m. Purchase tickets at LowryParkZoo.com. $55, $80 for VIP, designated driver tickets: $20, $30 for VIP; 7:30-10:30 p.m. 1101 W. Sligh Ave., Tampa, 813-935-8552.
Tuesday, August 9: Carrollwood Cultural Center
Attend month two of this international educational wine series and sample wines from Spain. Hosted by Time for Wine and AAA of Carrollwood, this four-part series will "tour" the wine regions of Tuscany, Spain, Argentina and Australia, as well as educate participants about the area, its culture, history and special sites to visit. Series runs second Tuesdays, from July until October. Half of all ticket sales benefit the Carrollwood Cultural Center. Contact [email protected] for more information. Seating is limited. $25, $20 for AAA and Cultural Center members; 6:30-7:30 p.m. 4537 Lowell Road, Tampa (Meeting Room 2), carrollwoodcenter.org.
Wednesday, August 10: ABC Fine Wine and Spirits - Carrollwood
At this special tasting, sample over 60 craft beers from around the world, plus, get a coupon good on the night of the event and a souvenir beer glass. $10; 6-8 p.m. 14729 North Dale Mabry Hwy, Tampa, 813-264-1881, abcfws.com
