Wii Wars and wine events . . . whee!

Hang out with sports stars or let the wine be the star at events this evening:

Go head to head against local celebrities in Nintendo Wii Wars at Harry Caray's Tavern every Tuesday beginning tonight. They're kicking off the series with an appearance by Ernie "Mr. Cub" Banks, who will challenge guests on the 123” HD TV—the only precision engineered StarGlass screen in the Midwest. Banks will give away autographed baseballs along with the most sought after tickets in town—Cubs vs. Sox at US Cellular Field. Future Wii Wars include football against Chicago Bear Brian Urlacher, basketball against former Chicago Bull Dickie Simpkins and Home Run Derby against Hall of Famer Ryne Sandberg and Cubs Chairman Crane Kenney. Drink specials include $3 Miller Lite bottles and $4 Captain Morgan cocktails. 8pm-1am (unless there's a Cubs game in town).

The Third Tuesday Tasting is back at Tasting Room, this time with a nod to exotic locales like South Africa, Argentina and Australia. Guests will sample malbecs, bonardas, sweet chenin blancs, sexy carmeneres, shirazes and silky sauvignon blancs, of course paired with light bites. 6-8pm. $30.

The monthly tasting at Swirl Wine Bar explores Cool Whites for Hot Summer Nights. The event includes 12 different wines paired with appetizers, plus music by jazz band Gypsy Trio. 6:30-8:30pm. $25 in advance; $30 at door.

And at A.Vision Chicago (910 N. Damen Ave.), guests will have the opportunity to meet winemakers Tim Olson and John Ogden of Olson Ogden Wines, which specializes in a small production of syrah and pinot noir. Proceeds benefit the Alzheimer's Association of Greater Illinois. 7-9pm. $30 ($20 goes to the Alzheimer's Association). Call 847-933-2413 for tix.