Choice Wine-Tasting Venues

So you want to taste wine? If you’re already a patron of a particular wine shop, start by finding out if they host tastings. It’s to your advantage to become a regular somewhere. You’ll get to know the staff and they you, as well as your likes and dislikes.

Not all retailers offer tastings. But plenty do. A sampling of some of the more popular and established tastings around town follows.

Keep in mind too that many fine restaurants host occasional winemaker or wine-themed dinners in which each course is paired with a complementary wine.

Epicurus

625 Montana Ave., Suite B, Santa Monica, (310) 395-1352. Saturdays, 3 to 5 p.m. Six to eight wines. Bread and cheese. $5.

Notes: Wines are tasted blind.

Hi Time Cellars

250 Ogle St., Costa Mesa, (949) 650-8463. Thursdays, 4:30 to 8 p.m.; Fridays, 4:30 to 8 p.m.; Saturdays, 1:30 to 8 p.m. Six to 12 wines. Bread, optional; $4.50 cheese plate. Thursdays, $25-$100; Fridays, $20; Saturdays, $25-$55.

Notes: Thursday are usually French wines; Fridays, everyday wines; Saturdays, cult wines.

Mako Restaurant With the Wine House

225 S. Beverly Drive, Beverly Hills, (310) 288-8338. Second Tuesday of every month, 5 to 7 p.m. Three to five wines. Assorted appetizers. $35.

Notes: A special prix fixe dinner is generally offered following the tasting. Reservations suggested.

Mission Wines

1114 Mission Ave., South Pasadena, (626) 403-9463. Saturdays, 1 to 4 p.m. Seven to eight wines. Bread and cheese. $10.

Notes: Price discounted to $5 with store purchase.

Red Carpet

400 E. Glenoaks Blvd., Glendale, (818) 247-5544. Fridays, 4:30 to 9 p.m.; Saturdays, 3 to 7 p.m. Three flights or 15 to 20 wines total. Bread, optional; $4 cheese and sausage plate. $12-$50 per flight.

Notes: Individual 1- and 2-ounce pours (tastes) also available.

Reign Restaurant With Wine Brats

180 N. Robertson Blvd., Beverly Hills, (310) 273-4463. Second Wednesday of each month, 6 to 8 p.m. Five wines. Cheese and crackers, passed hors d’oeuvres. $35.

Notes: Advance tickets are available for $25 at www.winebrats .org.

Wine Country

2301 Redondo Ave., Signal Hill, (562) 597-8303. Saturdays, 1 to 4 p.m. Ten to 16 wines. Bread, cheese, pate. $10-$20.

Notes: Arrive by 3 p.m. to taste through all the wines.

Wine Exchange

2368 N. Tustin St., Orange, (714) 974-1454. Saturdays, noon to 5 p.m.; most Thursdays, 5 to 7 p.m. 20 to 22 wines. Bread, cheese, dried fruit and nuts. $8-$45.

Notes: Reservations strongly recommended.

Wine House

2311 Cotner Ave., West Los Angeles, (310) 479-3731. Fridays, 6 to 8:45 p.m. Nine wines. Bread, cheese, salami, hot and cold appetizers. $20.

Notes: Arrive early for guaranteed admission.

Woodland Hills Wine Co.

22622 Ventura Blvd., Woodland Hills, (818) 222-1111. Fridays, 4:30 to 8 p.m.; Saturdays, 2 to 8 p.m. Four flights or 15 to 20 wines total. Bread or crackers; optional $4.50 cheese plate. $5-$30 per flight. Note: You can also pay by the glass.

Leslee Komaiko