A calendar of wine and beer tastings and events
Wine and beer tastings, classes
Languedoc Labels: Wines from France's Languedoc region include Dom Serres Mazard Corbieres, noon-6 p.m. Fri.-Sat.; noon-5 p.m. Sun., free, at Total Wine & More locations (totalwine.com):
• Courtyard at Countryside, 2528 State Road 580, Clearwater. (727) 431-1010.
• Park St. Retail Center, 4880 Park St. N, St. Petersburg. (727) 544-6018.
• Walter's Crossing, 1720 N Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa. (813) 350-9601.
Preferred Picks: 5-7 p.m. Fri., VINO 100, 1038 Bloomingdale Ave., Valrico. Taste staff's favorite wines. Free. (813) 654-8466.
Value Vintages: 6-8 p.m. Fri., Pic Pac Fine Wines, 6609 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. Sample low-cost wines with big flavors. $5. (727) 347-0743.
Bold Reds, Cool Whites: 6-9 p.m. Fri.; 2-9 p.m. Sat., International Cellar, 3689 Tampa Road, Suite 304, Oldsmar. California cabernets, bold Italian reds, refreshing summer white wines. Free. (813) 855-8099; internationalcellar.com.
Italy to Argentina: 6-8 p.m. Fri., Lou's Florist & Wine Garden, 7800 Blind Pass Road, St. Pete Beach. Pinot grigio from Italy, malbec from Argentina, lush pinot noir from California. Free. (727) 367-1921.
Beers of Summer: 6-8 p.m. Fri., Toasted Pheasant Bistro, 14445 N Dale Mabry, Tampa. Cool off with microbrews. Free. (813) 265-6700.
The Grape Unknowns: 7-9 p.m. Fri., Vintage Wine Cellars, 3629 Henderson Blvd., Tampa. Tasting explores lesser known grape varieties like pimitivo and viognier; wines include Layer Cake 2006 primitivo, Cline Vineyards viognier. $10. (813) 879-2931.
Old and New World Wines: 7:30 p.m. Fri., Charlie's Wine Cellar, 533 S Howard Ave., No. 2, Tampa. Sample European and California wines, with antipasti and grilled pork. $20, registration required. (813) 250-1967.
South of the Equator: 7-9 p.m. Sat., Uncorked Fine Wines & Accessories, 2706 Fourth St. N, St. Petersburg. New Zealand, South Africa, Chile, other Southern Hemisphere wine regions show off Bordeaux-style blends, malbecs and more, plus hors d'oeuvres. $25, registration required. (727) 892-9463; uncorkedwines.com.
Spanish Wine & Dine: 7:30 p.m. Sat., Charlie's Wine Cellar, 533 S Howard Ave., No. 2, Tampa. Spanish and Argentinian wines pair with regional cuisine in four-course wine dinner lesson. $35, registration required. (813) 250-1967; charlieswine.com.
Italian Classics: 6-7:30 p.m. Aug. 28, Tampa Wine Institute, 2009 N 22nd St., Tampa. Novice Series class explores Italian wine classics, from Tuscany to Piedmont; six wines, artisan cheeses and breads. $20. (813) 241-8587.
Corey Stroll: 5-9 p.m. Aug. 29, Downtown Corey Area, 155 Corey Ave., St. Pete Beach. Stroll shops, galleries offering beer and food samplings, plus pet vendors in "Dog Days of Summer"-themed Last Friday Tasting. Free. (727) 363-6888; coreyave.com.
The Americas and Australia: 6-9 p.m. Aug. 29; 2-9 p.m. Aug. 30, International Cellar, 3689 Tampa Road, Suite #304, Oldsmar. Wines from California and South America, plus Australian reds. Free. (813) 855-8099; internationalcellar.com.
Wine Smoothies: 1-3 p.m. Aug. 30, Florida Orange Groves and Winery, 1500 Pasadena Ave. S, St. Petersburg. Try new wine "smoothies" including mango, key lime and pina colada. Free. (727) 347-4025; floridawine.com.