Sure, we love a great street festival or al fresco patio this time of year, but we'd never pass up a soiree that takes place within the environs of the historic Field Museum (1400 S. Lake Shore Dr., 312-544-9626) — especially for our love of the grape. Taking place Friday, June 17, Toast of the Town isn't  your run-of-the-mill tasting where you wind up swirling a glass and throwing out your best wine terminology (nice legs!).

This gala-style event presented by Wine Enthusiast provides you with the opportunity to sample 500 select wines from around the world and, to keep you from getting too toasted, there will be tastings from 35 top restos in the city such as Grahamwich (Grahamwich gyro), Coco Pazzo (crostini con fava), and L20 (hamachi and sea urchin tataki). The final touch? A live jazz band.

The event starts at 6 p.m. for VIP ($169; access to limited production reserve wines and less of a crowd) and 7 p.m. for general admission ($109) and can be purchased online at the Toast of the Town website.

Source: Toast of the Town