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• See "Sideways" for movie night at WineMall

Wednesday, October 7: Cafe Dufrain

Wine Down Wednesday. Most of us need a little pick-me-up by mid-week, and this free wine tasting is just what the doctor ordered. Free. 6-7:30 p.m., 707 Harbour Post Dr., Tampa (813-275-9701)

Wednesday, October 7: 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 stuffed peppers with merguez sausage, caramelized onion and parmesan cheese . $19.95. 5-8 p.m., 1002 S. Howard Ave., Tampa (813-250-9463)

Wednesday, October 7: Rigatoni Tuscan Oven

Wild Tuscan Wednesdays. Indulge in decadent seafood at dirt-cheap prices on high-end items like all-you-can-eat Alaskan snow crab and oysters, along with beer and pasta specials. $7-$22. 5-10 p.m., 3437 W. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa (813-879-7000)

Thursday, October 8: WineMall

Movie Night. Sample a selection of wines (but no Merlot!) while drinking in a screening of Sideways, starring Paul Giamatti and Thomas Haden Church (pictured),  Sandra Oh and Virginia Madsen. Free. 6:30-9 p.m., 11246 W. Hillsborough Ave., Tampa (813-855-7711)

Thursday, October 8: West Palm Wines / Beaune’s Wine Bar

Manincor Wine Dinner. Cultivated with a combination of Italian and German influences, a collection of wines from Northern Italy’s Manincor region (including Pinot Blanc, Chardonnay, Sauvignon, Cabernet, Merlot and more) are paired with traditional cuisine like duck with porcini mushrooms on endive; tirolese canederli, a Trentino soup made with speck dumplings in broth; roast pork with blueberry sauce and polenta; and cheese and chocolate trays. $50 in advance. 6:30 p.m., N. 22nd St., Tampa (813-241-8587)

Thursday, October 8: Publix Apron’s Cooking School

The Shoestring Gourmet. Learn creative cooking methods for making gourmet worthy, family-pleasing dinners that won’t drain the piggy bank of its last penny. The menu includes: grilled bruschetta with rosemary, white bean purée and heirloom tomatoes; chicken roasted with 40 cloves of garlic; pecan crusted skirt steak; baby yukon potato salad with shallots, chives, bacon and lemon vinaigrette; and bittersweet chocolate tart with salted caramelized pistachios. $35, 6:30 p.m., 7835 Gunn Highway, Tampa (813-926-4465)

Many more events after the break:

Thursday, October 8: Carrollwood Cultural Center

Teach and Taste Wine. Wine guide Charles Visalli leads this series of workshops on wine etiquette, how to sample wine when dining out, wine varietals, the art of pairing food with wine and more. This week’s focus is “traveling aroud the wine globe.” E-mail timeforwine@tampabay.rr.com to reserve a spot. $25, $20 for CCC members. 6-7:30 p.m., 4537 Lowell Road, Tampa (813-269-1310)

Friday, October 9: Bern’s Fine Wines and Spirits

Silver Oak Crush Hour. One of the most prestigious names in wine is the star of the show at this tasting. Sample four vintages of the Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, two vintages of the Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon along with Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc and Merlot from Twomey, Silver Oak's sister winery. $25. 6:30-8:30 p.m., 1002 S. Howard Ave., Tampa (813-250-9463)

Friday, October 9: Uncorked Fine Wine and Spirits

Anniversary Celebration. Uncorked celebrates eight years of good grapes with an old and new world comparative wine tasting accompanied by a selection of appetizers. $10. 6:30-8:30 p.m., 2706 Fourth Street N., St. Petersburg (727-892-9463)

Friday, October 9: Mazzaro’s Italian Market

Weekly Tasting. End the work week right with a free sampling of Italian wines like Barbaresco and Moscato d'Asti. Free. 1-5 p.m., 2209 22nd Ave. N., St. Petersburg (727-312-2400)

Saturday, October 10: T.Pepin's Hospitality Centre

Southern Charm Wine and Food Gala. This Tuscan-themed benefit for the Greater Brandon Community Foundation features a Vintner's wine tasting paired with hors d'oeuvres from upscale local eateries, History of Beer and Wine 101 seminars, live and silent auctions, a Mary Kay touch-up station for the ladies, a cigar smoker and the piece de resistance, a Champagane Bash complete with live music and the chance to win an unset diamond. $125. 6 p.m.-1 a.m., 4121 N. 50th St., Tampa (813-367-0040)

Saturday, October 10: BergHOFF Culinary Center

Chocolate Dessert Madness. Dive into the rich, luscious, decadent world of the creamy confection with Chef Karen McKinney, who is certified in French Regional Cuisine by Le Cordon Bleu and has a serious sweet tooth. Learn serving and presentation skills, pressure cooker tricks, and how to pair beer and wine with chocolate with a specially-chosen menu that includes: dark chocolate truffles, four ways; sinless chocolate mousse paired with wine; chocolate pecan angels paired with beer; and chocolate cheesecake paired with port. $45. 12:30-2:30 p.m., 2507 S. MacDill Ave., Tampa (727-853-3359)

Saturday, October 10: Nature’s Food Patch

The Art of Oven Roasting. Summer's the season for grilling and chilling, but for fall, roasting's the way to go. Chef Debby DeGraaff reveals simple techniques for quick and easy, fool-proof oven preparations, with a menu that includes oven roasted tempeh and seasonal vegetables with fresh herbs, and cinammon roasted apples for dessert. Free. 11 a.m., 1225 Cleveland St., Clearwater (727-443-6703)

Saturday, October 10: Mazzaro’s Italian Market

Saturday Sample. This comparative tasting pairs Italian Primitivo with California Zinfandel (same grape, different cultures) and California Pinot Grigio with Italian Pinot Grigio. Free. 11 a.m.-2 p.m., 2209 22nd Ave. N., St. Petersburg (727-312-2400)

Sunday, October 11: B-21 Fine Wine and Spirits

Icons of the Andes. This winemaker's tour includes bottle signing, tastings and a sale on Argentinean and Chilean wines. Vintners from Achaval Ferrer, Bodega Norton, Santa Ema, Pascual Toso, Montes, Kaiken and more make appearances. $25. 2-5 p.m., 43380 US Highway 19 N., Tarpon Springs (727-937-5049)

Monday, October 12: Bern’s Fine Wines and Spirits

The Wines of Champagne. Most people drink Champagne to celebrate, but I'm of the mind that drinking Champagne is cause for celebration. The sommeliers at Bern's seem to agree, because this class covers the finer points of the fizzy stuff, from the exhaustive techniques used to create it to the many styles of sparkling wine that embody modern Champagne. $40. 6:30-8:30 p.m., 1002 S. Howard Ave., Tampa (813-250-9463)

Monday, October 12: Uncorked Fine Wine and Spirits

Uncorked Wine Academy. Hit the books (and the bottle!) at this wine-centric course that covers pairing food and wine; tasting techniques; grape varietals; how wine makes it from the vineyard to the glass;  and how to distinguish the flavors that make your tastebuds tingle. Reservations required. $50. 7-9 p.m., 2706 Fourth Street N., St. Petersburg (727-892-9463)

Wednesday, October 14: 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 cassolette with pork belly, lamb, white beans and an herb crust . $19.95. 5-8 p.m., 1002 S. Howard Ave., Tampa (813-250-9463)

Wednesday, October 7: Cafe Dufrain

New Twist Vodka Tasting. Most of us need a little pick-me-up by mid-week, and this free tasting, featuring Hangar One vodkas,  is just what the doctor ordered. Free. 6-7:30 p.m., 707 Harbour Post Dr., Tampa (813-275-9701)

Wednesday, October 14: Rigatoni Tuscan Oven

Wild Tuscan Wednesdays. Indulge in decadent seafood at dirt-cheap prices on high-end items like all-you-can-eat Alaskan snow crab and oysters, along with beer and pasta specials. $7-$22. 5-10 p.m., 3437 W. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa (813-879-7000)

Thursday, October 15: Sidebern’s

Autumn Celebration. Executive chef Chad Johnson flaunts the flavors of fall at this seasonal wine tasting and feast, and Wine Director Kevin Pelley selects the perfect accopmaniment to each course. Traditional autumn tastes are complemented by unexpected flavors, and the menu includes: roasted monkfish with salsify, green apple, lovage and powdered dijon; pheasant with savoy cabbage, foie gras and potato cream; matsutake mushroom with jamon iberico, maple and smoldering spices; autumn squash with pork cheek, porcini and blis elixer; elk striploin with aged gouda, smoked parsnip, brussels sprouts and horseradish; and pear clafouti flavored with almond, cranberry and sage. $125. 2208 S. Morrison Ave., Tampa (813-258-2233)

Thursday, October 16: Publix Apron’s Cooking School

Rob Nelson. The founder of Wild Bar Brewing Co. prepares a beer-friendly menu that includes: citrus goat cheese salad paired with Ayinger Brau-Weisse; red curry steamed mussels paired with Samual Smith India Pale Ale; braised short ribs and mashed potatoes paired with Ayinger Celebrator Dopplebock; and oatmeal stout chocolate cake with chocolate framboise ganache paired with Lindemans Framboise-Lambic. $45. 6:30 p.m., 7835 Gunn Highway, Tampa (813-926-4465)

Saturday, October 18: Gateway Organic Farm

Gateway Organic Farm Dinner. Some of the Bay Area’s most well-known chefs — Tyson Grant of Parkshore Grill in St. Pete, Matt Tracy from the St. Petersburg Yacht Club, and Chris Knowles from Sea Sea Riders, to name a few — create a six-course charity dinner with food taken straight from the Clearwater farm and from other local producers. The chefs prepare and serve fresh organic vegetables, along with local and organic meat, fish, and wines in the Gateway Organic Farm garden. The chefs request that all attendees “Please bring your favorite dinner plate to add to the conversation as you dine with local farmers, artisan, and chefs.” A pre-dinner reception includes hors d’oeuvres, wine and a farm tour. Proceeds from the event benefit Edu-kitchen, which teaches families the benefits of community sustainable agriculture. Vegetarian dishes available — please ask. $150 per person or $250 per couple. 4 p.m., 6000 150th Ave. N., Clearwater, (727-244-0724)

Wednesday, October 21: Rigatoni Tuscan Oven

Wild Tuscan Wednesdays. Indulge in decadent seafood at dirt-cheap prices on high-end items like all-you-can-eat Alaskan snow crab and oysters, along with beer and pasta specials. $7-$22. 5-10 p.m., 3437 W. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa (813-879-7000)

Thursday, October 22: Carrollwood Cultural Center

Teach and Taste Wine. Wine guide Charles Visalli leads this series of workshops on wine etiquette, how to sample wine when dining out, wine varietals, the art of pairing food with wine and more. This week’s focus is “the art of blind tasting.” E-mail timeforwine@tampabay.rr.com to reserve a spot. $25, $20 for CCC members. 6-7:30 p.m., 4537 Lowell Road, Tampa (813-269-1310)

Wednesday, October 28: Rigatoni Tuscan Oven

Wild Tuscan Wednesdays. Indulge in decadent seafood at dirt-cheap prices on high-end items like all-you-can-eat Alaskan snow crab and oysters, along with beer and pasta specials. $7-$22. 5-10 p.m., 3437 W. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa (813-879-7000)

Thursday, November 5: Carrollwood Cultural Center

Teach and Taste Wine. Wine guide Charles Visalli leads this series of workshops on wine etiquette, how to sample wine when dining out, wine varietals, the art of pairing food with wine and more. This week’s focus is “food, cheese and dessert wine pairings.” E-mail timeforwine@tampabay.rr.com to reserve a spot. $25, $20 for CCC members. 6-7:30 p.m., 4537 Lowell Road, Tampa (813-269-1310)

Thursday, November 19: Carrollwood Cultural Center

Teach and Taste Wine. Wine guide Charles Visalli leads this series of workshops on wine etiquette, how to sample wine when dining out, wine varietals, the art of pairing food with wine and more. This week’s focus is “elements of terroir on wines.” E-mail timeforwine@tampabay.rr.com to reserve a spot. $25, $20 for CCC members. 6-7:30 p.m., 4537 Lowell Road, Tampa (813-269-1310)

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