Taste of Lake Como: 4 Wines Paired with Local Cheese Charcuterie

A wine shop in Como becomes the setting for a guided tasting of four Italian wines, usually poured alongside prosciutto, cheeses, buffalo mozzarella, bread, and other small bites. The sommelier explains the grapes, regions, winemaking, and food pairings, so you get more than a string of glasses and a plate of snacks.

I like the small group of up to 12, which gives you a fair chance to ask questions. I also like the tasting notes, useful little reminders when you are home and trying to identify that bottle you enjoyed in Italy. The main consideration is that some groups may upgrade to a longer tasting with more wines, so ask clearly what your package includes before the pours begin.

Key points to know before booking

• Four to five wine pours: The standard tasting includes a selection of Italian wines, with some sessions offering an extra pour.
• Food is part of the experience: Expect prosciutto crudo, cheeses, buffalo mozzarella, bread, and other typical Italian snacks.
• Sommelier-led instruction: You learn about grapes, regions, production, serving, and pairing rather than simply sampling wine.
• Small, social setting: The group limit is 12, and seating with other wine lovers is part of the format.
• Central meeting point: Begin and end at Capitan Drake, Via Francesco Benzi 19, in Como.
• Good value for serious tasters: At $79.24 per person, the price makes the most sense if you want both food and instruction, not just a drink.

Four Italian wines in a Como wine shop

This is a compact tasting with a clear purpose: show you how Italian wines differ by grape, place, and style. You meet at Capitan Drake, a wine shop with a broad selection of Italian and international bottles, then begin a few minutes after the scheduled meeting time.

The setting matters. You are surrounded by bottles rather than sitting in a formal restaurant, so the experience feels tied to the business of wine. If a particular bottle catches your attention, you can ask about it, and wines are available to buy after the tasting. The shop can also arrange worldwide shipping, which is handy if you find something you cannot carry home.

The tasting lasts about 90 minutes. That is long enough for an explanation with each glass, but not so long that it takes over your day in Como. You can fit it before dinner, after a walk through the city, or between other plans. Since the tasting is held indoors and the shop is near public transportation, it is a useful choice when you want a food experience that does not depend on good weather.

What happens at Capitan Drake

After you arrive at Via Francesco Benzi 19, the staff settles the group and prepares the first wine. The exact wines can change, but the format centers on four glasses, with the possibility of a fifth pour in some sessions.

The sommelier talks through each wine as it arrives. You can expect information about the grape variety, the region where it was produced, the winery, and the way the wine was made. The explanations also cover serving methods and food matches, which gives the tasting a practical angle you can use later.

Several hosts have led these sessions, including Sandu and Giuseppe. Sandu is praised for clear explanations and an engaging presentation, while Giuseppe has guided tasters through Lombardy wines and the winemaking process. The host for your date may differ, but the intended format is the same: an approachable lesson rather than a test of wine vocabulary.

You do not need much wine experience. The format works for people who can name several Italian wines, as well as people who are just learning the difference between a grape and a region. A good host can explain why two wines taste different without making you feel lost in technical terms.

The food board is more than decoration

The food pairing is one of the strongest reasons to consider this experience. The standard board includes prosciutto crudo, a cheese selection, buffalo mozzarella, and other typical Italian foods. Bread, grapes, and similar small bites may also appear, depending on the session.

This is not a full lunch or dinner, but the food is substantial enough that you should not expect a token bowl of crackers. The snacks give you a way to compare each wine with salt, fat, creaminess, and fresh flavors. That makes the sommelier’s advice easier to understand than a lecture on pairing alone.

I especially like this format for people who want to remember what they learned. You can taste a wine by itself, then try it with prosciutto or cheese and notice how the balance changes. The point is not to find one perfect pairing. It is to see why a wine may taste softer with food, brighter with mozzarella, or more suited to a salty cured meat.

The board also helps make the 90 minutes feel generous. You are not paying only for four small pours. You are getting a guided tasting with food, conversation, and the chance to ask about bottles you might otherwise pass without noticing.

Why the sommelier-led format matters

A shop full of wine can be useful, but it can also be overwhelming. A sommelier gives the bottles a sequence and a reason. Instead of choosing a red simply because you recognize the label, you learn what the producer, grape, or region contributes to the glass.

The session also brings Italian wine regions into clearer focus. The tasting may include wines from different parts of Italy, with special attention to local or northern Italian choices. You could hear about grape-growing areas, aging, fermentation, and how production methods affect the final flavor.

Do not expect a formal wine certification course. The explanations are designed for curious drinkers, and the emphasis is on enjoyment. You can ask simple questions about sweetness, body, acidity, serving temperature, or what to buy for a meal. The atmosphere is friendly enough for beginners, while the regional details give experienced wine drinkers something to discuss.

Tasting notes are provided so you can refresh your memory later. That small detail has real value. By the end of a trip, the names of several wines can blur together. Notes help you remember which bottle suited you, what food worked with it, and which region to explore next.

A social experience with a small table

The group limit is 12 people, which is small enough for direct contact with the host but large enough to create conversation. You may be seated with people from other countries, and that social side is part of the appeal.

If you want a private tasting for just your own party, this is not the right assumption. The format is designed around a shared table. That can be a plus if you enjoy exchanging travel stories and comparing reactions to the same wine. It can be less comfortable if you prefer quiet, private dining.

The group size can also affect the pace. A lively table may spend extra time on questions, while a quieter group may move through the wines more quickly. The experience is generally described as warm and welcoming, with hosts who make an effort to include people with little wine knowledge.

One practical point deserves attention. The standard experience centers on four wines, while a longer option with as many as seven wines may be available for an added cost. If other people at your table choose the larger option, you may see additional bottles being poured. Ask at the beginning whether your booking includes four wines, five wines, or an upgrade, so there is no confusion later.

The price and what you receive for $79.24

At $79.24 per person, this is not the cheapest way to drink wine in Como. You can always order a glass at a bar for less. The difference is that this price covers a structured tasting, four to five alcoholic pours, a generous selection of Italian food, and instruction from a sommelier.

For me, the value is strongest if you would otherwise buy dinner or a substantial aperitivo. The charcuterie and cheese board gives the experience more weight than a simple tasting flight. It also saves you from paying separately for several glasses while trying to compare them.

The price is less appealing if you mainly want to sample a large number of wines with little explanation. The standard session is educational and paced, not a free-form drinking event. If your priority is quantity, confirm the upgrade options and extra charges before agreeing to more pours.

The ability to purchase bottles after the tasting adds another layer of value, especially if you want to take home a wine you discovered in Como. Worldwide shipping is available, though shipping costs and delivery arrangements are not included in the tour price.

Finding the meeting point and planning your day

The meeting point is Capitan Drake, Via Francesco Benzi 19, 22100 Como. The experience begins and ends there, so you do not need to arrange a separate ride to a vineyard or another town.

The location is described as easy enough to find, but plan your route rather than leaving it until the last minute. Como’s streets can be busy, and taxi availability may be limited at certain times, including Saturday. Public transportation is nearby, which gives you another option.

The session starts a few minutes after the meeting time, but you should still arrive on schedule. One late arrival was accommodated, yet relying on that is not wise. A late start can interrupt the first explanation and may make it harder to settle into the group.

Because alcohol is served, think about what comes before and after the tasting. The experience ends at the shop, not at a restaurant or transportation hub. If you plan to visit another part of Lake Como afterward, allow time to arrange your own transport.

Who will enjoy this tasting most

This experience suits you if you want a relaxed introduction to Italian wine with enough detail to make each glass meaningful. It is especially useful for:

• First-time visitors who want a food activity in Como city
• Couples looking for a low-key evening experience
• Small groups who enjoy tasting and conversation
• Wine drinkers who want to learn about Italian regions
• People who may want to ship bottles home
• Visitors who prefer an indoor plan with a fixed duration

It is also a good choice for mixed-experience groups. You do not need to know wine terms before arriving, and the food gives non-experts something familiar to enjoy while the host explains the bottles.

You may want another activity if you are seeking a vineyard visit, a countryside setting, or a full meal with multiple courses. This takes place in a city wine shop, not at a vineyard, and the emphasis is on tasting and instruction rather than a long rural excursion.

Practical details that can affect your experience

The activity is offered in English and accepts mobile tickets. Confirmation arrives when you book, and service animals are allowed. Most people can participate, and the group is capped at 12.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the local start time. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before the experience are not accepted for a refund, so check your plans before the deadline.

The experience is recommended by 95 percent of people who have rated it, with a 4.8 score from 197 ratings. Those numbers suggest a dependable format, but they do not remove the need to check the wine count and upgrade terms when you arrive.

Bring an appetite, especially if the tasting replaces an aperitivo. Wear something comfortable, arrive on time, and keep your schedule open for the full 90 minutes. If you are interested in buying wine, leave room in your luggage plan or ask about shipping before the final pour.

Should you book Taste of Lake Como?

I would book this if you want to learn as you drink. The best features are the small group, the sommelier’s explanations, the well-matched Italian food, and the chance to discover bottles from regions you may not know.

At $79.24, it is a fair buy for a guided tasting with substantial snacks, but not for someone who only wants the lowest-cost glass of wine. Confirm whether your session includes four or five pours, and ask about the longer option before other people at the table begin upgrading.

For an easy city-based food experience with useful wine instruction, Capitan Drake makes a strong choice. You leave with tasting notes, a better sense of Italian wine regions, and perhaps a bottle on its way to your home.

FAQ

Where does the wine tasting take place?

It takes place at Capitan Drake, Via Francesco Benzi 19, 22100 Como, Italy. The activity ends at the same meeting point.

How long does the experience last?

The scheduled duration is approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes. Some sessions may run longer if the group continues tasting or asks many questions.

How many wines are included?

The standard tasting includes four to five glasses. A longer tasting option with up to seven wines may be available for an additional charge.

What food is served?

The tasting includes typical Italian foods such as prosciutto crudo, a selection of cheeses, and buffalo mozzarella. Bread, grapes, and other small snacks may also be served.

Is the tasting conducted in English?

Yes. The experience is offered in English.

How large is the group?

The maximum group size is 12 people.

Can I buy wine after the tasting?

Yes. Wines are available for purchase after the experience, and worldwide shipping is available.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted for a refund.