Wine calendar

May 18-24

Events

Fireside Chat on Summer Wines

WED Wine expert and noted wine columnist Richard Kinssies hosts a talk on local vintages with tastings and a variety of cheese samples. 5-6 p.m. Wednesday, Hotel Vintage Park, 1100 Fifth Ave., Seattle; $15 (reservations: 206-624-8000).

Dinners

"Flirting with Perfection"

FRI Sommelier Arnie Millan hosts a dinner featuring wines that are rated 98 to100 points. Seating limited to 10 participants. 6:30 p.m. Friday, El Gaucho, 2505 First Ave., Seattle; $350 (reservation: 206-612-6547).

The Rite of Spring

WED Celebrating Copper River salmon with Oregon's finest pinot noirs. 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Ray's Boathouse, 6049 Seaview Ave. N.W., Seattle; $95 (reservations: 206-789-4130, ext. 220).

Right Bank Bordeaux

Tastings

Wines from the Dooniverse

THU Featuring wines from vines produced by Bonny Doon. 6:30-8 p.m. Thursday, Fremont PCC Natural Market, 7504 Aurora Ave. N., Seattle; Issaquah PCC Natural Market, 1810 12th Ave., N.W., Issaquah; $5 (reservations: 206-547-1222, ext. 191).

Waterbrook Winery

THU Monthly wine tasting at Il Fornaio featuring Waterbrook Winery of Walla Walla. 6-8 p.m. Thursday, Il Fornaio, 600 Pine St., Seattle; $10 (reservations: 206-264-0994).

Woodinville Wine Cellars

SAT Weekly tasting session in the Tasting Room. Noon-4 p.m. Saturday, Woodinville Wine Cellars, 17721 132nd Ave. N.E., Woodinville; $5, free with purchase (425-481-8860).

"The Kings of Italy"

TUE Sommelier Arnie Millan guides guests through tastings of the best in Italian wines. Reservations required. 6:30-8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Esquin Wine Merchants, 2700 Fourth Ave. S., Seattle; $49 (reservations: 206-682-7374).

Tasting at the Zoo

WED Taste six South American wines with hors d'oeuvres and visit Woodland Park Zoo's Jaguar Cove. Reservations required. 7-9 p.m. Wednesday, Woodland Park Zoo, North 55th Street. and Phinney Avenue North, Seattle; $30 (reservations: 206-684-4825).

Submit wine calendar information two weeks in advance to: Wine Calendar, P.O. Box 70, Seattle, WA 98111 or e-mail winecalendar@seattletimes.com