The potential for great wine is locked inside every grape, much as a playful puppy is locked inside every businessman's briefcase. Unlock delightful situations with today's Groupon to the Tradewinds Specialty Imports' Grand Portfolio wine-tasting event on July 27 at Smith & Wollensky on 19th Street Northwest. Choose between the following options:

• For $60, you get a general-admission ticket, including tastings of Tradewinds' extensive portfolio of Spanish and Argentine wines from 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. (a $120 value).
• For $80, you get a VIP ticket, including the wine-tasting, early entrance at 5 p.m., exclusive wines to taste, and a panel discussion on owning your own bar (a $160 value).
  
  

A regional wine wholesaler, Tradewinds Specialty Imports supplies DC restaurants and retailers with an exclusive selection of Spanish wines from its coalition of Iberian family wineries. At the July 27 Grand Portfolio wine-tasting event, take a sipping tour of numerous Spanish and Argentine wines curated by Tradewinds' expert staff and their transoceanic winemaking pals, who happily share each vintage's personal history and grade-school class photos. VIP ticket holders gain admission at 5 p.m., an hour before average attendees, get access to exclusive wines, and can attend a panel discussion on the ins and outs of restaurateuring led by Barmetrix CEO Sean Finter and debated by prominent DC restaurant and bar owners. Though this event may be of particular interest to current or would-be wine sellers and tavern mavens, all lovers of the matured grape will leave thoroughly satisfied, edified, and purple-lipped.