There's no shortage of places and events that offer the casual wine drinker a chance to get one step closer to being an expert.

For a few bucks (and in some cases, for no bucks at all) and a couple hours of your time, these places will brush you up on the properties of a petite sirah, the grape quality of German riesling or the difference between "oaky," "steely" and "fruity."

Amuse Wine Bar, Honolulu Design Center; 237-5428.

Wine tastings: Wine Lover's Night, 5-8 p.m. every Monday and Wednesday.

Brasserie DU VIN, 1115 Bethel St.; 545-1115, www.brasserieduvin.com.

Wine dinner: 6:15 p.m. every Monday, three-course menu paired with wines picked by the restaurant's sommelier.

Wine tastings: 6:15 p.m. every Tuesday; $20; reservations required.

Fujioka's Wine Times, Market City Shopping Center, 2919 Kapi'olani Blvd.; 739-9463.

Wine tastings: 3-6 p.m. every Saturday; free.

HASR Wine Co., 31 N. Pauahi St.; 535-9463, www.hasrwineco.com.

Wine tastings: 5-7 p.m. every Tuesday and Friday; free.

Oeno Winemaking, 26 Ho'ola'i St., Kailua (next to Blockbuster); 263-6366, www.oenowinemaking.com.

Wine tastings: Right now, tasting is anytime during business hours; 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays, 12-5 p.m. Sundays (closed on Mondays); $15 per person.

R. Field Wine Co., Foodland, 1460 S. Beretania St.; 596-9463; 109 Hekili St., Kailua; 261-3358.

Wine tastings: 4-6 p.m. every Saturday, Honolulu site; also 3:30-5:30 p.m. every Saturday, Kailua site; free.

Shiroma's Wine and More, 98-1277 Ka'ahumanu St., 'Aiea; 487-7926, www.swamwine.com.

Wine tastings: 5-8 p.m. every Thursday; free.

Simple Grape, 841 Bishop St.; 447-9000.

Wine tastings: 4-7 p.m. every Wednesday; free.

Stage Restaurant, Honolulu Design Center, 237-5429, www.stagerestauranthawaii.com.

Wine tastings: Italian Wine Tasting and Dinner, 6:30-8:30 p.m. March 17, $70.

Spanish Wine Tasting and Dinner, 6:30-8:30 p.m. March 31. $75.

Tamura's Fine Wine Liquors, 'Aikahi Park Shopping Center; 254-2000.

TOWN: five wines, five courses, March 11; $65/person; 735-5900, www.townkaimuki.com.

Vino, Restaurant Row, 500 Ala Moana; 524-8466, www.dkrestaurants.com.

Wine tastings: "Winetasting with Chuck," 5:30 p.m. March 12, $35, reservations required; 533-4476.

Vintage Wine Cellar, 523-9463.

Wine tastings: 5:30 p.m. March 6; Morton's Steakhouse; $45; 949-1300.

Wine By Numbers, 94-1235 Ka Uka Blvd., Suite B; 671-1120, www.winebynumbers.com.

Wine tastings: 6-8 p.m. every Friday; free.

6-8 p.m. every second Saturday of the month; $20, with a complimentary wine glass, reservations required.

The Wine StoP, 1809 S. King St.; 946-3707, www.thewinestophawaii.com.

Wine tastings:

Complimentary wine tasting, 1-5 p.m. every Saturday.

Pau Hana Friday, Wine & More Tastings, 4-8 p.m. every second and third Friday of the month.

The Taste of Stag's Leap District seminar featuring Shafer and Cliff Lede wines, 3-4:30 p.m. March 22, $65 for guest, $50 for club members.

"Does Glassware Really Make a Difference" seminar featuring Riedel glassware vs. standard glassware, 3-4:30 p.m. March 29, $35, includes a Riedel glass keepsake, wine and light pupu.

Supper Club is a rotating event that happens every third Wednesday of the month at different restaurants.