VINO

Sure, the summer season brings us humidity, heat and hungry mosquitoes, but the payoff is that, with tourists gone, restaurateurs pull out all the stops - and some corks, too - to attract locals. Here's a sampling of events planned around Southwest Florida this month.

Culinary Center, Austin's team up

Executive Chef Kristina San Filippo of the KitchenAid Culinary Center at Robb & Stucky Outdoor Living, and Frank Pulice, owner of Austin's Wine Cellar, have become a formidable team on the region's wine dinner scene. On Friday, July 11, Pulice provides Oregon's King Estate Winery products, while Randy Ford, from the winery, discusses them. The winery is committed to sustainable farming practices, with 465 acres of certified organic vineyards. The winemaking process is also certified organic.

On Saturday, July 26, San Filippo and Pulice celebrate the flavors of southern Italian districts such as Campania, Puglia, Calabria and Sicily. Among the red wines featured will be primitivo and nero d'avola, Pulice says.

The culinary center is at 26501 S. Tamiami Trail, Bonita Springs. Both dinners run from 7 to 9 p.m. Cost: $85 per person. Call 390-2222 for reservations.

Bone up on Cotes du Rhone

What constitutes a Cotes du Rhone wine? What differentiates it from that of other French districts? Find out at a seminar at Austin's Wine Cellar from 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, July 15.

"We'll go over the entire appellation, including the status of the general appellation versus the individual villages, as well as discussing the grape varieties used and the different viticultural practices," Pulice says. Cost: $45 per person. Seating is limited to 12. Austin's is at 12377 S. Cleveland Ave., Suite 1A, in Fort Myers. Call 275-7200 for reservations.

Let them drink Cakebread

Handsome Harry's Third Street Bistro in Naples pays tribute to the celebrated Napa Valley winery Cakebread Cellars with a five-course wine dinner set for 8 p.m. Tuesday, July 15. The dinner will showcase summer flavors and robust wines. Chef Tony Biagetti will prepare dishes such as cucumber and sashimi wrapped tartare of big eye tuna with mango chips and lime créme fraiche as well as certified Angus sirloin with herb bone marrow crust, truffled essence grits, shallot rings and sauce Chateubriand. The dishes will be paired with sauvignon blanc 2006, reserve chardonnay 2005, merlot 2005, cabernet sauvignon 2005 and a surprise dessert wine. Wine enthusiast Matthew Ligay of Kobrand Corp. will present the wines. Cost: $85 per person. Handsome Harry's is at 1205 Third St. South. Call 434-6400 for reservations.

Calling wine- and tapas-loving singles

Cin Cin Mediterranean Bar & Grille offers singles a chance to mingle while sampling wine, specialty martinis and executive chef Scott Sopher's top-notch tapas at two gettogethers this month. The Cin Cin Summer Singles Tapas and Wine Soirees are set for 7 to 9 p.m. July 16 and 30. Cost: $45 per person, which includes unlimited beverages and tapas plus entertainment by musician/vocalist David Johnson. Cin Cin is at 13451-5 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers. Call 415-2007 for details.

Angelina's celebrates Van Duzer

A fourcourse dinner featuring Angelina's Italian cuisine and the wines of Van Duzer Vineyards from Oregon's Willamette Valley takes place at 6:30 p.m. Friday, July 18. Guests can expect to taste the estate winery's pinot noirs and a pinot noir rose. Van Duzer Vineyards belongs to Low Input Viticulture and Enology, Inc. (LIVE), a non-profit organization for vineyards using international standards of sustainable viticulture practices. Cost: $75 per person. Angelina's is at 24041 S. Tamiami Trail in Bonita Springs. Call 390-3187 for reservations.

Bistro 41 plans beach bash

Never mind that Bistro 41 isn't anywhere near a beach. At 6 p.m. Thursday, July 24, the Bell Tower Shops restaurant kicks off its Summer Wine Party series with an outdoor beach barbecue.

"We set up a kiddie pool and sand in our front lounge area to make a beach," says general manager Cindie Barker. "We encourage customers to come in cool beach attire, maybe flip-flops as well."

Party-goers will enjoy three wines paired with three appetizers. Entertainment will be provided by Jeff "Carbomb" Lyons. Cost: $25 per person. Bistro 41 is at 13499 S. Cleveland Ave., Fort Myers. Call 466-4141.

Wine and dine downtown

Delicious Things Restaurant holds its third monthly wine dinner at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, July 24. The five-course dinner starts with a Champagne reception. Bonita Chien, of Stacole Fine Wines, will present the wines and offer her always interesting take on each. If the previous two dinners are any indication, participants will dine and drink well and learn a lot about wine in the process. Cost: $65 per person. The restaurant is at 2262 First St., downtown Fort Myers. Call 332-7798 for reservations.

Wine picks of the week

>>Two Hands Bella's Garden Shiraz 2005: With rich, complex flavors of plum, blackberry and cherry, spicy notes and an intense lingering finish from one of Australia's best new wineries. About $65.

>>Bodegas Borsao Garnacha Campo de Borja Tres Picos 2005: Vivid and concentrated flavors of black cherry and raspberry, with good balance and lively finish. About $15.

>>Cuvaison Pinot Noir Napa Valley Carneros 2006: Firm, with rich, spicy plum and black cherry fruit that's tight and well-structured, and nice balance. About $30.