There's an old Italian proverb that reads: Un buon vino, un buon uomo e una bella donna dura poco.  (literally translated: A good wine, a good man and a good woman don't last long)

Ultimately, if you're American, it's a fancy way of saying "every good thing comes to an end" – which is one of those statements that's both sad and true. And for me it's especially true of good wine.

As a writer, I have a relatively limited amount of money to spend on wine. So, when I splurge on a bottle, it's kind of a big deal. 

That's why I like to know what I'm getting into if I'm spending more than $12 on a bottle, and it's a big reason I'm a fan of wine tastings, where I can really dig in and discover new favorite wines without risking a $20 or more mistake. And it's even better if I can talk to an expert (like master sommelier Eddie Osterland) who can give me tips about what to spend my money on.

So, you can imagine my thoughts about a wine event that allows sampling of 35 of Italy's most exquisite wines, covering regions from Piedmont to Puglia.

During their upcoming Bevi Mangia Italiano event on Friday, July 17 at the Milwaukee Public Market, they’ll have plenty of wine for sampling, along with food at over ten stations in the second floor Palm Garden. I talian wine representatives; Antonio Zanon of Zunani Winery, and Christine Hammond of Tasca d'Almerita will be there to answer questions.

Of course, if you want to do it up right, you have to grab a reserve ticket (just $50) which includes early entry and a wine tasting and presentation from master sommelier, Jesse Becker. Baker is one of 220 Master Sommeliers in the world and has worked for some of the country’s top restaurants including Tra Vigne in Napa Valley, Charlie Trotter’s and NoMI in Chicago, Frasca Food and Wine in Boulder and The Boiler Room Restaurant in Omaha.

So you know he knows a thing or two about wine. And, he's pretty easy on the eyes – so that's a bonus (wink).

And… if you taste a wine and want to purchase a bottle/case (and you will) Thief Wine Shop & Bar will be accepting orders for each of the wine offerings.

So, here’s the drill:  
You can easily order tickets online at MilwaukeePublicMarket.org.

General Admission: ($35 per person) includes a keepsake Wine Star glass and admission to food and wine pairings from 7 to 9 p.m. 

Reserve admission: ($50 per person) includes all benefits of general admission, access to seven additional wines and a 6:30 p.m. wine tasting and presentation with winemaker and master sommelier, Jesse Becker.

Parking: Complimentary parking will be available in the Public Market lot on a first come, first serve basis. Free street parking is available after 6 p.m.

Featured wines include:

• Tasca D’Almerita Regaleali Bianco
• Tasca D’Almerita Regaleali Rosso
• Tasca D’Almerita Regaleali Rose
• Tasca D’Almerita Leone
• Tasca D’Almerita Lamuri
• Tasca D’Almerita Rosso Del Conte
• Tasca D’Almerita Cabernet Sauvignon
• Tasca D’Almerita Capofaro Malvasia
• Zardetto Prosecco Organic
• Soavia Soave Classico
• Argiolas Costamolino Vermentino
• Zenato Alanera
• Botromagno Primitivo
• Castello Di Bossi Chianti Classico
• Ceretto Barolo
• Valle Reale Montepulciano Organic

Reserve registration wines:

• Tasca D’Almerita Leone D'Almerita Sicilia IGT
• Falesco Ferentano Lazio IGT
• Leone De Castris Five Roses Rosato Salento IGT
• Librandi Ciro Rosso Classico DOC
• Tasca D’Almerita Lamuri Nero D’Avola Sicilia IGT
• Bisceglia Gudarra Aglianico Del Vulture DOC
• Mastroberardino Radici Taurasi DOCG