October 6: Strategies for Building a Balanced Wine Collection
The experts at the Italian Wine Merchants can show you how to build up your wine collection beyond those bottles that were left over from your last party. During the course of the afternoon, you'll taste eight Italian wines including vintage Barolo, Brunello, Super-Tuscans, and more while sampling assorted antipasti. $125 per person. Reservations required and can be made online or by calling 212-473-2323 x106. 1:00 to 3:00 p.m., Italian Wine Merchants, 108 East 16th Street.

October 8: Slow U - Eating Local in Brooklyn
This "Slow U" session features Brian Halweil, Member Slow Food USA Advisory Board, Slow Food East End Leader, World Watch Institute senior researcher, and founder/editor of "Edible East End" and "Edible Brooklyn;" Ian Marvy, founder of Added Value and Red Hook Community Farm; and Garret Oliver, founding board member Slow Food USA, member Slow Food International Council, and brewmaster for the Brooklyn Brewery. This panel of notable Brooklyn food experts will discuss the challenges and benefits of the local food movement as it grows beyond small scale and into supermarkets and major food companies. During the panel you can sample some of the local fare assembled by Beer Table host, Justin Phillips, accompanied by some very special beer. Slow Food Members - $20, Non-members - $25, tickets available online. Beer Table, 427 B 7th Ave, Park Slope.

October 9: Moldy Cheese Day
It might not sound that appetizing, but those of us who love blue cheese know that it's all about the mold. To celebrate the beauty that is moldy cheese, the restaurants of the Tour de France restaurant group have declared October 9th to be moldy cheese day, and each chef has designed menu items featuring the stinky stuff. Go for the gorgonzola fritters with apricot fondue at Marseille, the Fourme D'Ambert fondue at L'Express, the tourte de fromage L’époisses at Le Monde, or select from many more dishes at Marseille, L'Express, Le Monde, French Roast, Nice Matin, or Cafe D'Alsace.

October 10: Beard on Books, Alex Prud’homme
The latest installment in the Beard on Books series features Alex Prud’homme discussing My Life in France, which he co-authored with his great-aunt Julia Child. Beard on Books is free for students with a suggested donation of $20 for non-students. Illy caffè and Acqua Panna and S. Pellegrino waters will be served, and light refreshments will be provided by The Art Institute of New York City. Guests are also welcome to bring a brown bag lunch. Books will be available for sale by Mobile Libris. To RSVP please contact Colleen Vincent at 212-627-2308. James Beard House, 167 West 12 Street between Sixth and Seventh Avenues.