Wine

-- It's a rite of fall: the Blanchards's Grand Wine Tasting. With table after table of wine distributors, and more than 100 wines available for tasting, you should bring a healthy liver. Fancy food generally makes an appearance, but, like Jesus in Cana, Blanchards leaves the good stuff for last. Blanchards Wine and Spirits, 741Centre St., Jamaica Plain, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Free.

Scotch

-- If wine isn't your thing and you are rich, you might prefer the offerings of the Scotch Malt Whisky Society, which samples more than 70 single malt Scotches tonight. Taj Boston, 15 Arlington St., 7 p.m. $115/$130 with reservation (800.990.1991).

Art

-- Peter Pizzi's multimedia show Tea and Sympathy is very dirty. Whether it's pornographic puppets, erotic puzzles, or photos of naked men wearing Obama and McCain masks, Pizzi's art is uncomfortably hilarious. Do not see this show with your parents. Reception tonight, show runs through October 25. Atlantic Works Gallery, 80 Border St., East Boston, 6 p.m. Free.

Movies

-- Want to get McCain's smarmy mug out of your head? The Candidate (1972) was Michael Ritchie's foray into the nitty-gritty of American politics. Robert Redford plays a longshot senatorial candidate with a winning smile, whose campaign follows the now-familiar arc of big media politics—from piquant to bland. Peter Boyle turns in a career performance as a campaign manager. Brattle Theatre, 40 Brattle St. Showtimes and tickets.

Image of Peter Pizzi's diorama Cowboy Up courtesy Atlantic Works.