Tuesday, September 1: Blue Figs Gourmet Lounge

Whiskey Dinner. Four single-malt scotch whiskeys (Aberfeldy, Glenfarclas, Balvenie DoubleWood and Highland Park) accompany four courses at this horizontal tasting. Executive Chef David Burton's bold menu is sure to stand up to the stiff drinks. It includes: smoked wild river salmon with horseradish creme fraiche, duck leg with black barley soup, lamb and arugula salad with chevre and grapefruit, and creme caramel with candied key lime. Call in advance to reserve one of the 16 available seats. $50 in advance; $60 at the door. 7 p.m., 15463 N. Dale Mabry Hwy., Tampa (813-963-3447)

Tuesday, September 1: Publix Apron’s Cooking School

Hispanic Techniques. Learn to inject Latin flavor into your cooking in this four-part series of cooking classes. The course menu borrows from many Hispanic traditions, and includes: rellenos de papas; rice and beans with calabaza; salted codfish stewed in tomatoes and olives; coconut ice cream;  cucumber soup; hearts of palm salad; pupusas; Honduras torrijas (ladyfingers in syrup); empanada de pino (meat turnover); bistec a lo pobre (traditional beefsteak); pastel de choclo (corn and meat pie); turron de vino (wine meringue); ceviche de pescado; aji (Andean-style Cchile paste); lomo saltado (steak with red wine); aji de gallina (spicy chicken); papas a la arequipena. $200 for all four classes. 10 a.m. Tuesdays, Aug. 11-Sept. 1., 7835 Gunn Highway, Tampa (813-926-4465)

Wednesday, September 2: World of Wines

Ed Hardy and Rutherglen Estates Wine Tasting. Robert's Catering provides hors d'oeuvres to complement the wine selections. $5. 6-8 p.m., 3431 S. Westshore Blvd., Tampa (813-835-9463)

Wednesday, September 2: Bern’s Fine Wines and Spirits

Potluck Wednesday. Beat the mid-week dinner blahs by stopping in for SideBern’s gourmet take-away — and enjoy a complimentary mini-wine tasting while you wait. This week’s one-stop wonder is Provencal short rib, seasoned with carrot, fennel and mustard sauce. $19.95. 5-8 p.m., 1002 S. Howard Ave., Tampa (813-250-9463)

Wednesday, September 2: Publix Apron’s Cooking School

Lobster Lovers. The cooking class folks tell us that "You'll think you're in Maine. Need we say more?" Nope. The menu includes: lobster salad with tarragon buttermilk dressing served in an herbed phyllo cup; West Street lobster and corn chowder; spiny lobster and mushroom gouda ragout served with Yukon yucca mash; and Down East blueberry buckle with crème fraiche ice cream. $50. 6:30 p.m., 7835 Gunn Highway, Tampa (813-926-4465)

Wednesday, September 2: ABC Fine Wine and Spirits

Wine Tasting and Cigar Smoker. Sample more than 50 wines accompanied by hors d'oeuvres. Cigar lovers convene on the patio for a smoker, and everyone receives a complimentary wine glass and $5 off of any purchase. $10. 14729 N Dale Mabry Hwy., Tampa (813-264-1881)

Thursday, September 3: SideBern’s

Next Level Barbecue. It’s not your run-of-the-mill Labor Day cookout, that’s for sure. Chef Chad Johnson rolls out a variety of preparations of his favorite ingredient — pig. From pulled pork shoulder in a cider vinegar sauce to cumin-charred spare ribs to beer-braised pork belly, this is one party that’ll send vegetarians running in the other direction. Chef Chad doesn’t ignore the other food groups, though; he includes Southern-style greens, potato salad and peach cobbler on the menu. Wash down all the good grub with a selection of brews from Unibroue, like the apple-tinged Ephemere or the rich, hearty La Terrible. Visit bernsfinewines.com to RSVP. $45. 6:30-8:30 p.m., 2208 W. Morrison Ave., Tampa (813-258-2233)

Thursday, September 3: Belleair Grill and Wine Bar

Southern Italian Wine Dinner. An Italian wine expert joins diners as a guide through this vino-tasting tour of Italy, from Capri to Sorrento, Puglia and Sicily, all paired with authentic regional cuisine. $65. 6:30-9:30 p.m., 1575 S. Fort Harrison Ave., Clearwater (727-449-2988)

Friday, September 4: 688 Fine Wines and Spirits

Long Island Wine Tasting. Sample fare from this unexpectedly delicious wine-producing region. Free. 5-8 p.m., 14590 Walsingham Rd., Largo (727-596-8902)

Friday, September 4: Mazzarro’s Italian Market

Weekly Wine Tastings. This week features a selection of refreshing roses. Matt Abdondey, a craft beer specialist from JJ Taylor, visits to sample new brews for fall. Free. 1-5 p.m., 2209 22nd Ave. N., St. Petersburg (727-321-2400)

Friday, September 4 - Saturday, September 5: The Toasted Pheasant

Labor Day Barbecue. Dig into a variety of 'cue (including beef brisket, pulled pork, ribs, chicken and more) along with a smorgasbord of sides and specials on import drafts throughout Labor Day Weekend. 14445 N. Dale Mabry Hwy., Tampa (813-265-6700)

Saturday, September 5: Mazzarro’s Italian Market

You can check one thing off your holiday to-do list (I know I've already got one) at this tasting of Prosecco and other holiday wines. Sebastien Jadot of Cigar City Brewing also drops in to sample some tasty local brews. Free. 11 a.m.-2 p.m.., 2209 22nd Ave. N., St. Petersburg (727-321-2400)

Wednesday, September 9: The NoHo Bistro

A Palette for Your Palate. The bistro's ingenious culinary team pairs five tapas tastings with a new wine each week. Today, Zin masters rejoice: it's the Zinfandel palette. $15. 5-8 p.m., 1714 N. Armenia Ave., Tampa (813-514-0691)

Wednesday, September 9: Publix Apron’s Cooking School

Seafood on the Grill. It's a tricky test of skill, but the chefs at Publix demonstrate how to create juicy, succulent grilled seafod selections. The menu includes: chipotle shrimp and pineapple kabobs; grilled-chilled seafood and white bean salad; grilled oysters with fennel butter; citrus swordfish with citrus salsa; and split grilled lobster tails with herb butter. $50. 6 p.m., 7835 Gunn Highway, Tampa (813-926-4465)

Thursday, September 10: Roy's

Roy's Wine Dinner. Five courses delectable courses are paired with complementary wines to bring out the best and brightest flavors in each. The Pacific Rim-inspired menu includes: sous vide black tiger prawn, jumbo lump crab and shiso gnocchi, filet mignon carpaccio, braised lamb osso buco and macadamia nut cake. $65. 6:30 p.m., 4342 W. Boyscout Blvd., Tampa (813-873-7697)

Friday, September 11 - Saturday, September 12: The Toasted Pheasant

Toasted Pheasant Gone Wild. Tonight, you won't find chicken and steak on the menu, but an exotic array of game, including quail, elk, buffalo, rabbit, alligator and more (no word yet on the wild salamander). 14445 N. Dale Mabry Hwy., Tampa (813-265-6700)

Friday, September 11: Mazzarro’s Italian Market

Weekly Wine Tastings. This week, it's a Napa vs. Sonoma showdown with a selection of Chardonnays, Cabernets and Zinfandels. Free. 1-5 p.m., 2209 22nd Ave. N., St. Petersburg (727-321-2400)

Saturday, September 12: Mazzarro’s Italian Market

Sample a selection of Malbecs, Sauvignon Blancs and Nero d'Avola from Argentina and Italy. Free. 11 a.m.-2 p.m.., 2209 22nd Ave. N., St. Petersburg (727-321-2400)

Monday, September 14: The Toasted Pheasant

Cooking Class: Patty Cake, Patty Cake, Bake Some Bread. And get a little toasty with a free glass of wine with your dinner while the chefs teach you how to make semolina bread rolls, cinnamon raisin bread and lick-your-fingers-good cinnamon rolls. $27. 6:30 p.m., 14445 N. Dale Mabry Hwy., Tampa (813-265-6700)

Wednesday, September 16: The NoHo Bistro

A Palette for Your Palate. The bistro's ingenious culinary team pairs five tapas tastings with a new wine each week. Today, enjoy a Pint Grigio palette. $15. 5-8 p.m., 1714 N. Armenia Ave., Tampa (813-514-0691)

Saturday, September 19: The Tampa Theatre

The Grapefather. Pay your respects and "kiss the ring of the grapefather" at this eight annual movie-themed wine tasting (Can you guess what this year's theme is?) Local restuarants -- including Bern's and Sidebern's, Bin 27, Chez Bryce, NoHo Bistro, The Rack and more -- provide haute cuisine, and a silent auction rounds out the evening's offerings. Visit thegrapefather.org for more info. $50 and up. 711 N. Franklin St., Tampa (813-274-8981)

Tuesday, September 22: The NoHo Bistro

Harvest Wine Dinner. Underdog Wines are paired with each of the meal's five courses, which include crudites and red pepper aioli, seared scallops with cauliflower puree, a green salad with sweet potato crisps, a duet of veal or a vegetarian option of polenta and wild mushrooom torta, and cardamom-buttermilk pie. Call in advance for reseravtions.  $45. 6:30-9 p.m., 1714 N. Armenia Ave., Tampa (813-514-0691)