WELL, IT'S HELD IN TACOMA >>>

First things first: We adore wine events almost as much as we can't stand attending wine events. Wine events are A. educational; B. a good place for like-minded fellowship; C. tedious; D. bargains; or E. all of the above. Well, if the wine events we've attended over the years are any indication - and we're sure we've attended well over a hundred - the correct answer is E. Wine dinners, more often than not, are informative, good values and a great place to meet other food and wine enthusiasts like you.

Want to try one?

El Gaucho in downtown Tacoma will toast the New Year with its Taste of Tacoma wine event featuring nine Washington wineries paired with the fine-dining restaurant's tasty bites. Hello Tenderloin Diablo! The pours will be from bottles labeled Woodward Canyon, Long Shadows, Dusted Valley, Sparkman Cellars, Mark Ryan, Beresan, Cavu, Balboa and DeLille Cellars.

The event is a whopping $95 per person.

Bonus: El Gaucho is offering special room rates at Hotel Murano and round trip complimentary shuttle transportation.

EL GAUCHO, FRIDAY, JAN. 25, 7-10 A.M., $95, 2119 PACIFIC AVE., TACOMA, 253.272.1510