wine

Aching to impress your friends but short on wino-speak? Drop into 18 Reasons for one or a whole series of wine courses. This week is session two: merlot. The underestimated varietal (thanks to Sideways) is poised for resurgence. Learn about old world vs. new world and find out which wineries have the best.

On February 20 Berkeley-based wine importer Kermit Lynch will be at Omnivore Books for a wine tasting and a reading from his two books.

Uncorked brings you Vino Ibérico, a special tasting of more than 100 tantalizing wines from Spain and Portugal. Held at the landmark location of Bimbo's, it's a perennially sold-out event. Sample hearty reds of the Priorat and Ribera del Duero regions in Spain, the classics from Rioja, bubbly from Penedès , as well as wines from up and coming regions like Jumilla, Toro, Rías Baixas and La Mancha. You will taste lots of Tempranillo, Monastrell, Cabernet Sauvignon, Garnacha, Albariño, Cava, Viura and many more.

Every weeknight from 5-8 p.m., Medjool is offering a sweet extended happy hour featuring five different tapas and five glasses of wine, all priced at $5 apiece. Gather a group of friends and get in on the action.

It’s going to be raining all.week.long, but that’s no excuse to become a hermit. Grab some friends and drop in to the winter wine tasting at 18 Reasons. Bi-Rite Market wine buyer Trac Le will guide you through a tasting of various bottles, all for the nominal fee of $10 ($5 for members).

In honor of its new wine by the bottle and wine by the glass program, Press Club is offering a purchase discount for the month of January. Buy any bottle of wine to share with friends at the swanky downtown space and get 30 percent off its retail price. Now's your chance to drink stellar wines at a palatable price while you sample from a new, enhanced "bites" menu. Pair a Mt. Eden Estate wine with cabernet braised short ribs and call it a night.

Drink up and give back. The Presidio YMCA will be hosting a wine bar happy hour at Bin 38 to benefit its strong communities campaign. 15% of sales will be donated to the organization, so toast a few glasses in the spirit of giving.

Join in the spirit of the holiday season and support Raphael House at this year's Eat, Drink and Be Hopeful party. The evening's food, wine and fashion event will benefit the nonprofit's social services programs. Indulge in delicious bites, sip a glass of vino and take solace in your support of a good cause.