BEER, SPIRITS & WINE EVENTS COMING UP

ENOTECA PIZZERIA & WINE BAR: It is hosting a Tour of Italy wine tasting series, starting with the Piedmont region. Jerry Michaels of Quail Distributors hosts the tasting, featuring free appetizers created by Executive Chef Roy Santana. When: 4-6 p.m. Where: 58 W. Congress St. Price: Free Info: 623-0744, enotecarestaurant.com

MOUNT LEMMON SKI VALLEY OKTOBERFEST: On Ski Valley's third deck, bands directed by John Prokop will perform traditional German music Saturdays and Sundays. Traditional German dance performances by Bela Vrucina will be on Sundays. German beers and foods will be served at the Iron Door Restaurant in various combinations. The Miner's Sweet Tooth will be selling treats, including German Chocolate Fudge, while the Mother Lode Gift Shop will be selling beer steins and clothing. Those attending are encouraged to bring chairs and blankets. The ski lift will be open. When: 11:45 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday and Sept. 29-30, Oct. 6-7 and Oct. 13-14 Where: 10300 Ski Run Road Price: no admission, but $4 parking Info: 885-1181 Directions: From Tucson, take Catalina Highway/Mount Lemmon Highway toward Summerhaven; just before Summerhaven go right on Ski Run Road at the Ski Valley sign and follow the signs to the parking lot.

58 DEGREES & HOLDING CO.-ST. PHILIP'S PLAZA: This week, compare the French brandy styles of cognac and armagnac • Sept. 30 Scotch tasting When: 3-5 p.m. Where: 4280 N. Campbell Ave. Price: $20 Info: 529-2020

THE WESTIN LA PALOMA RESORT & SPA: In its Desert Garden Lounge, Unwind Hour offers various activities and prices, including a "make your own" margarita and guacamole stations. When: 5:30-7:30 p.m. Where: 3800 E. Sunrise Drive Price: varies Info: 577-5859, westinlapalomaresort.com

ARMITAGE WINE LOUNGE AND CAFE: This week, wines from Groth Vineyards & Winery of California's Napa Valley When: 6-8 p.m. Where: 2905 E. Skyline Drive, Suite 168 Price: $10 Info: 682-9740, armitagewine.com

CASA VICENTE: Bohemian Night includes a wine tasting. When: 5-10:30 Where: 375 S. Stone Ave. Price: varies Info: 884-5253, casavicente.com

TERRAZA DEL SOL: Tastings at Hacienda del Sol Guest Ranch Resort's bar. Call for this week's selections. When: 5:30-7:30 p.m. Where: 5601 N. Hacienda del Sol Road Price: free Info: 299-1501, haciendadelsol.com/grill

Out of town

THE CAPITAL GRILLE: The Phoenix restaurant hosts "A World Tour Through the Vines" seminar hosted by a certified wine educator from Alliance Beverage. Wines from different regions of the world are featured. Each guest will be given a "passport" with which to buy wines from the seminar for a special price at the restaurant the week afterward. The series ends with a "graduation" with a complimentary tasting for guests who attended at least one seminar. Tuesday's event is on wines of Italy. The rest of the schedule is: • Tuesday wines of the Southern Hemisphere • Oct. 2 wines of France • Oct. 9 wines of California • Oct. 16 graduation When: 5-6:15 p.m. Where: 2502 E. Camelback Road Price: $35 per seminar Info: Keri Mahoney at keri.mahoney@tcgdine.com, 480-239-8450

58 DEGREES & HOLDING CO.-BROADWAY: Instead of its usual Wednesday wine tasting, this week, an Oktoberfest beer tasting. When: 5-7 p.m. Where: 5340 E. Broadway Price: $10 Info: 747-5858

Oktoberfest

SIXTH ANNUAL TUCSON OKTOBERFEST: This event drew about 40,000 people last year, organizers say. German food and drink, including beer, will be for sale. It also will have live music and dancing, children's games and 120 arts and crafts booths. All proceeds benefit the Optimist Club of Tucson. When: 5-10 p.m. Sept. 27, noon-11 p.m. Sept. 28, 10 a.m.-11 p.m. Sept. 29 and noon-6 p.m. Sept. 30 Where: Hi Corbett Field, 3400 E. Camino Campestre Price: $3 adult admission, free admission children 12 and younger Info: 241-7730

FLEMING'S PRIME STEAKHOUSE & WINE BAR: For its California Wine Month it is featuring three flights of California fine wines each week - chose the red flight, white flight or limited flight of special reserve wines - served in 2-ounce tastes. Through Sunday, "Oaky & Toasty Chardonnays" • Sept. 24-30 "Cool Climate Sonoma Whites" When: from 5 p.m. daily Where: 6360 N. Campbell Ave. Price: Varies Info: 529-5017, flemingssteakhouse.com

JW MARRIOTT STARR PASS RESORT & SPA: This special class in the resort's series features five to six wines from the high-end Gaja Winery of Italy, with cheeses and breads from the resort's Primo restaurant. Reservations required. When: 3:30-5 p.m. Where: 3800 W. Starr Pass Blvd. Price: $100 Info: 791-6071

VILLAGE OF ELGIN WINERY: Its 25th annual Harvesting of the Vine Festival includes tastings of Arizona wines, lunch, live music and the crowning of Arizona's King and Queen of Grape Stomping. Everyone attending gets a souvenir wine glass. When: 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Where: Elgin Price: $15 Info: 520-455-9309, elginwines.com Directions: Take Interstate 10 East to Exit 281 (state Route 83), then south through Sonoita to Upper Elgin Road and left to the village complex.

GOLD ROOM: The Westward Look Resort restaurant resumes its regular monthly wine dinners, kicking off with wines form Markham Vineyards paired with dishes from Executive Chef Jamie West. Markham President Bryan Del Bondio will co-host the event. The event begins with a reception, followed by a four-course dinner. Joe Bourne will perform. Other upcoming wine dinners are: • Nov. 13 (Justin Vineyards and Winery of Paso Robles, Calif., with founder Justin Baldwin) • Dec. 11 (Chateau St. Michelle of Washington state) Reservations are required and may be made at opentable.com. When: 6 p.m. reception, 6:30 p.m. dinner seating begins Where: 245 W. Ina Road Price: $85 Info: 917-2930, westwardlook.com

ELLE, WINE COUNTRY RESTAURANT: Arizona Jewish Post and Frank-Lin Spirits and Fine Wines join the restaurant in sponsoring this tasting of kosher wines. Various wines from Kolobarra Hills and Tierra Salvaje will be paired with hors d'oeuvres including latkes, turkey, beef brisket and lamb sausage. Five dollars of each ticket goes to Jewish Family & Children's Services of Southern Arizona. For reservations, call Lori Riegel at Arizona Jewish Post, 319-1112 Ext. 15 When: 5-8 p.m. Where: 3048 E. Broadway Price: $10 advance, $15 at the door Info: Elle owner Jeff Fuld, 327-0500, ellerestaurant.com

Out of Town

OLD WORLD PHOENIX OKTOBERFEST: German food and entertainment, including music and dance, are part of the one-day event, which also has children's activities and various competitions, including a sauerkraut cook-off. Call or visit its Web site for more details. When: 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Where: Margaret T. Hance Park, 1134 N. Central Ave. Price: $5 adult admission, free for 11 and younger Info: 480-235-7134, phoenixoktoberfest.com/ oktoberfest.html