Merrick Dowson. a well-known British wine authority, will be the featured guest at a wine tasting 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. April 27 at Mariposa Restaurant at Neiman Marcus.

The event is presented by R. Field and other experts on hand will include William Gladstone of William Gladstone Imports in Honolulu and Merrick Dowson of Adventures in Wine in Daly City, Calif. Rare wines from the Rhone and Burgundy will be tasted along with California "cult" wines highly praised by wine writer Robert Parker.

There is a limit of 30 guests and 28 wines will be tasted, paired with appetizers. Fee; $75 including tax and gratuity. Reservations must be made in person at R. Field Beretania or Kailua.