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

Como’s Capitan Drake wine tasting gives you a useful introduction to Italian wine without sending you out of the city. At a table in the wine shop, a sommelier pours four wines, sometimes a fifth, and explains the grapes, regions, winemaking, serving style, and best food matches. The tasting comes with prosciutto crudo, Italian cheeses, buffalo mozzarella, bread, and other typical snacks.

I like the way the food is treated as part of the lesson, not just something to nibble between glasses. I also like the small group, capped at 12, and the chance to meet people from several countries while tasting wines from different parts of Italy. Sandu and Giuseppe are singled out as warm, clear hosts who make room for questions.

The main thing to watch is the tasting format. The basic experience centers on four wines, while some people at the same table may pay to continue with an optional seven-wine upgrade. Ask about the pours and upgrade cost at the start so everyone in your party knows exactly what is included.

Key points at a glance

• Four to five wine pours: Taste a set selection of Italian wines, with a possible extra pour depending on the session.
• Food is part of the pairing lesson: Expect prosciutto crudo, cheeses, buffalo mozzarella, bread, and other typical Italian food.
• Sommelier-led explanations: Learn about grapes, regions, fermentation, aging, serving methods, and food matches.
• Small Como wine-shop setting: The group has a maximum of 12 people and meets at Capitan Drake in the city center.
• Useful take-home notes: Tasting notes help you remember the wines after returning home.
• Bottle shipping is available: You can purchase wine afterward, with worldwide shipping offered by the shop.

Starting at Capitan Drake in Como city center

Your meeting point is Capitan Drake, at Via Francesco Benzi 19 in Como. This is a wine shop rather than a vineyard or a grand countryside estate, which shapes the experience in a useful way. You get access to a wide range of Italian and international bottles, and the focus stays on the wine itself rather than on a long sightseeing program.

The tasting begins a few minutes after the scheduled meeting time. That small pause allows the host to gather the group and get everyone settled, but you should still aim to arrive on time. One booking party arrived about 10 minutes late and was accommodated, yet that should not be treated as a guarantee, especially if the group has already started.

The shop can be a little off the main tourist path, though it is described as easy enough to find and close to public transportation. Como’s narrow streets and busy taxi demand can make last-minute transfers awkward, particularly on a Saturday. I would allow extra time if you are coming from the train station, ferry area, or another part of town.

This is also a useful stop when you want a wine activity that does not require a full day away from Lake Como. The experience lasts about 1 hour and 30 minutes and ends where it begins. You can fit it around a walk through Como, a ferry trip, or an evening meal.

Four wines, several Italian regions, and a clear lesson

Once the group is seated, the sommelier introduces each bottle before pouring it. The emphasis is not simply on drinking. You learn where the wine comes from, which grapes are used, how the wine was made, and what serving method or food pairing brings out its best qualities.

The exact wines can vary, so you should not expect a fixed list. The selection is described as focusing on Italian wines, with bottles from different regions and a range of styles. That changing lineup is a plus if you enjoy discovery, though it means you cannot plan the tasting around one particular grape or appellation.

The hosts have been praised for explaining technical points in plain language. That matters if you know little about wine. You can ask about fermentation, aging, grape-growing areas, and the difference between styles without needing a strong background first.

If you already know Italian wine well, the value comes less from basic instruction and more from the selection and conversation. Giuseppe, for example, has been praised for presenting wines from Lombardy and explaining the winemaking process. Sandu has also been singled out for careful selections and a personal, engaging presentation.

The standard experience includes four wines, although the supplied details allow for four to five glasses. In practice, an additional wine may be offered during some sessions. The operator also offers a higher option with seven wines for an extra charge. Since the group may have different packages, clarify what your booking covers before the first pour.

Prosciutto, cheese, and buffalo mozzarella on the table

The food board is not an afterthought. It includes prosciutto crudo, a selection of Italian cheeses, buffalo mozzarella, bread, and other typical food. You may also find fruit such as grapes, depending on the day and the way the board is arranged.

I like this part because it gives you a practical way to understand wine pairing. A wine may taste sharper with one food and rounder with another. Salty cured meat, creamy cheese, and fresh mozzarella each bring out different qualities in the glass.

The board is described as ample, so you should not arrive expecting only a token snack. Still, this is a tasting, not a formal lunch or dinner. If you need a full meal, plan one separately. The length of the session and the food included should satisfy most people who want a substantial accompaniment, but appetites vary.

One particularly enjoyable possibility is a dessert wine with tiramisu or another sweet course. That was not presented as a guaranteed part of every booking, so treat it as a possible extra rather than part of the promised menu. The dependable offering is the Italian meat and cheese selection with the wines.

This food pairing also makes the activity a good choice for couples or friends who are not equally interested in wine. Someone who does not want a lecture on grapes can still enjoy the cheeses, meats, setting, and social side of the evening.

A small group that encourages conversation

The maximum group size is 12. That is large enough to create a social table, but small enough for the sommelier to answer questions. Several sessions have included groups from across Europe, which can turn the tasting into an easy way to meet people while you are in Como.

The setting is described as comfortable, cozy, and attractively arranged around an impressive range of bottles. It is not the kind of experience where you spend the afternoon touring vineyards or walking through production rooms. Instead, you sit, taste, listen, and talk.

That format has advantages. You stay dry if the weather is poor, you do not need a car, and you receive a focused explanation of wine styles from multiple regions in one place. It also works well for an early evening when you want a relaxed activity before dinner.

There is one social detail worth knowing. You may share a table with another booking party, and different people at the table may choose different tasting packages. If some participants continue with a seven-wine option while you remain with four wines, the pacing can feel slightly uneven. Ask the host to explain the options clearly at the beginning.

The group atmosphere is generally part of the appeal, but it is not completely private. If you want an intimate tasting for only your own party, this may not be the right format.

What the sommelier adds to the experience

A bottle list alone is easy to find in Como. The sommelier is what turns this into an activity. The host explains the wines as you taste, giving you a framework for noticing aroma, texture, acidity, sweetness, body, and the effect of food.

Sandu is praised for an especially personal style, with clear presentations and strong wine choices. Giuseppe is also noted for making the conversation enjoyable while discussing Lombardy, grapes, and the production process. The host at your particular session may vary, so do not assume one named person will lead every date.

The explanations appear to work for both beginners and people with some wine experience. Beginners can learn the basic vocabulary and regional map of Italian wine. More experienced drinkers can ask about aging, fermentation, serving temperature, and why a particular cheese works with a particular bottle.

You also receive tasting notes. These are easy to overlook, but they are valuable once you are back home and trying to remember which wine you liked best. Use them to write down your own impressions as well. A simple note about your favorite bottle, the food pairing, and the region can help you find a similar wine later.

The session is offered in English. If wine terms are new to you, listen for the practical advice rather than trying to remember every technical detail. The best result is leaving with a sense of what you enjoy and a few bottles or regions to explore next.

The value of $79.24 per person

At $79.24 per person, this is not a bargain bar tasting. You are paying for four to five wine pours, a substantial Italian snack board, a sommelier-led lesson, tasting notes, and a small-group setting in central Como.

The price makes the most sense if you value guidance. Four bottles chosen at random in a shop will not give you the same context, and ordering several glasses at a restaurant can quickly approach the same cost without the focused explanation or food pairings.

It is also a reasonable option for a short stay. You do not need a half-day excursion, private transport, or a trip into the countryside. The activity takes around 90 minutes, then returns you to the same city-center meeting point.

The value is weaker if you mainly want to drink a large amount of wine. The tasting is structured, and additional wines or tips cost extra. You may also prefer a vineyard visit if your main interest is seeing vineyards, cellars, or production equipment. None of those elements is promised here.

Wine purchases after the tasting can affect your final spending. Bottles are available to buy, and the shop offers worldwide shipping. That is convenient if you discover a favorite but do not want to carry it through the rest of your trip. Shipping costs and bottle prices are not included in the tasting price, so ask for those details before ordering.

Who should book this Como tasting

I would recommend it to you if you want a friendly introduction to Italian wine, especially if you are staying in Como without a car. It suits couples, small groups of friends, solo visitors who enjoy meeting people, and families with adults who can take part in an alcohol tasting.

It is also a good fit if you want to understand wine and food pairing in a direct way. The combination of cured meat, cheeses, buffalo mozzarella, and regional wines gives you more to work with than a tasting where the food is limited to crackers.

Wine beginners should feel comfortable here. The hosts are described as welcoming even when participants have almost no wine knowledge, and the explanations cover both simple and technical questions.

You may want to skip it if you dislike shared tables, prefer a private guide, or need a guaranteed fixed wine list. It is also less suitable if you are looking for a full meal, a vineyard walk, or a production tour.

The tasting is capped at 12 people, but the exact feel depends on the day. A lively group can make the hour and a half pass quickly. A quieter group will give you more space to focus on the host’s explanation.

Practical details before you reserve

Your booking confirmation is issued at the time of booking, and the ticket is available on your mobile device. The activity is offered in English and begins at Capitan Drake, Via Francesco Benzi 19, Como.

The experience ends back at the meeting point. It is near public transportation, and most people can participate. Service animals are allowed.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not accepted for a refund.

Because the experience is often booked well in advance, with an average booking lead time of about 31 days, reserve ahead if your Como dates are fixed. This matters most during busy travel periods, when a small group can fill faster than a larger city tour.

Final verdict: a useful, social taste of Italy

Book this tasting if you want a compact wine lesson with real food, a friendly host, and the chance to taste wines from more than one Italian region. The strongest features are the sommelier’s explanations, the generous meat and cheese board, and the relaxed table setting.

I would set your expectations correctly. This is a wine-shop tasting in Como, not a vineyard excursion. The basic package centers on four wines, and you should clarify optional upgrades so the bill and the pacing are clear.

For most people interested in Italian wine, $79.24 is fair when you count the pours, food, instruction, and central location. Add it to your Como plans if you want to leave with more than a pleasant buzz: you should also leave knowing which grapes, regions, and pairings deserve another look.

FAQ

Where does the wine tasting take place?

It takes place at Capitan Drake, Via Francesco Benzi 19, 22100 Como, Italy.

How long does the experience last?

The tasting lasts approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes.

How many wines are included?

The experience includes a selection of four to five wine glasses. An optional higher package with seven wines may be available for an additional charge.

What food is served with the wine?

The tasting includes typical Italian food, including prosciutto crudo, a cheese selection, buffalo mozzarella, and other snacks.

Is the tasting conducted in English?

Yes. The experience is offered in English.

How many people can join 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 offered. Extra wines and purchases are not included in the tasting price.