PENNSYLVANIA DUTCH SAMPLING: 6-7 p.m. Thur., Amish Country Store, 206 13th St. SW, Largo. "Feinschmecker's (Pennsylvania-Dutch term for a person fond of epicurean treats) Night" features samples of Pennsylvania-Dutch foods; $5. RSVP required: (727) 587-9657.
SPANISH SOJOURN: 6:30 p.m. Thur., Columbia Restaurant, 2117 E Seventh Ave., Ybor City. Five-course dinner preceded by tapas takes culinary and wine tour of Spain; pan-seared halibut with sweet garlic oil, herb-crusted lollipop lamb chops with Dijon; wines paired with dinner include pesquera 1999 reserva and 1996 gran reserva; $75, inclusive. RSVP required: (813) 248-4961.
Wine and beer tastings/classes
GIOIA ANNIVERSARY: 5-8 p.m. today, Gioia Italian Deli, 100 First Ave. S, No. 110, St. Petersburg. Celebrate Gioia's second anniversary with wine and food tasting, with wines from Canalletto, Folie a Deaux, Thirsty Lizard, Mazzacco and more; $5 admission. RSVP required; call (727) 892-9400.
SPANISH WINES: International Cellars Wine Boutique, 11655 Countryway Blvd. at Racetrack Road, Tampa. Wines from Spain and Portugal, including tempranillo, cabernet, merlot, 6-8:30 p.m. Fri.; free. Call (813) 855-8099 for more information.
MADE IN AMERICA: 6:30 p.m. Fri., Uncorked Fine Wines and Accessories, 2706 Fourth St. N, St. Petersburg. Independence Day tasting features wines from California, Oregon, Washington and other areas; $10. Proceeds benefit Resurrection House. Call (727) 892-9463.
GREAT PICNIC WINES: 5:30-7:30 p.m. Fri., Florida Orange Groves Inc. and Winery, 1500 Pasadena Ave. S, Pasadena. Sample wines suitable for Fourth of July celebrations, paired with easy-to-make hors d'oeuvres; $10. Call (727) 347-4025 to reserve.
EVENING IN SPAIN: 6 p.m. July 10, A Taste for Wine, 241 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. Take a taste tour of Spain's wine-growing regions, such as Penedes, sampling rioja, tempranillo, ribera del Duero, garnacha and other varieties; $18. Call (727) 895-1623 to RSVP.
SUMMER IN FRANCE: 6:30-8:30 p.m. Fri., Got Wine, 662 Main St., Dunedin. Sample Abbaye de Tholomies, Chateau de Pennautier Caberdes, Chateau Noble Meynard Bordeaux, Flying Rabbit Pinot Noir, finish with a glass of Viogner; free. Call (727) 736-4077
Cooking classes
THAI, FUSION CUISINE: 7-9 p.m. today, La Maison Gourmet, 471 Main St., Dunedin. Fusion demonstration class blends flavors from different cuisines to create new tastes; menu includes pork tenderloin with mango, artichoke and mushroom risotto and asiago cheese, deep-dish key lime pie with coconut whipped cream; $39.50. To RSVP, call (727) 736-3070.
APRON'S CLASSES: Apron's Cooking School, Publix Supermarket at Shoppes of Citrus Park, 7835 Gunn Highway, Tampa. Pizzas With Pizzazz class for singles, 6:30 p.m. Sat., $35; Ice Cream Inspirations adult class, 6:30 p.m. July 7, $35; Ultimate Ice Cream Dreams for teens, 6:30 p.m. July 8, $25. Call (813) 926-4465 to reserve.
LESSON AND LUNCH: noon July 7, Bon Appetit Restaurant, 150 Marina Plaza, Dunedin. Chef Stephen demonstrates how to make a vacherin meringue base filled with marion berry mousse and then prepares a three-course lunch that includes barbecue duck, grilled snook with olive tapenade and more; $15. Advance purchase required by Sat. To RSVP, call (727) 733-2151.
CARRABBA'S CO-FOUNDER: Book signing 5-6 p.m., class at 6:30 p.m. July 9, Apron's Cooking School, Publix Supermarket at Shoppes of Citrus Park, 7835 Gunn Highway, Tampa. Damian Mandola, co-founder of Carrabba's restaurant, with a behind-the-scenes look into the ups and downs of running a restaurant chain and some of Carrabba's menu favorites; $100. Call (813) 926-4465 to reserve.
