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

A wine-and-cheese stop in Como is a fast way to understand the region. This 90-minute experience pairs four Italian and world wines with a local mix board, taught by a sommelier in the city center. You also get tasting notes to keep the flavors straight once you’re back home.

What I like most is the pairing logic: each sip is explained alongside Italian classics like prosciutto crudo and buffalo mozzarella. I also like that it’s small-group, with time for questions and that friendly, welcome vibe at Capitan Drake, where hosts like Sandu, Giuseppe, and Simona show up in the stories.

One thing to consider: the pours can vary a bit based on options. If you want the fullest set (some versions go up to 7 wines), check what you’re paying for so everyone at your table matches.

Key Points You Should Know Before You Go

• Sommelier-led tasting notes so you can remember what you liked and why
• 4 to 5 glasses included from the shop’s selection, with some setups offering an added pour
• Italian mix board built around prosciutto crudo, cheese, and buffalo mozzarella
• Small group (max 12) for real conversation, not a lecture
• Wines available to buy after the tasting, with worldwide shipping
• Como city center meeting point at Capitan Drake (easy to plan around)

Why This 90-Minute Como Wine Tasting Feels Like a Shortcut

If you’ve only got a day (or a pocket of time) in Como, this format is smart. You get the kind of guided wine education that usually takes a whole afternoon of trial-and-error, compressed into about 1 hour 30 minutes.

The other reason it works is the structure: you meet at Capitan Drake, the tasting starts a few minutes after the official meeting time, and the sommelier connects each wine to food right away. That means you’re not just learning grape names—you’re learning how flavors behave when you add something salty, fatty, or creamy.

Capitan Drake Setup: City-Center, Small-Group, and Easy to Find

The experience runs out of Capitan Drake on Via Francesco Benzi 19, right in Como city center. The venue is a wine bar/shop style setting, which matters because it keeps things relaxed: you can see the selection and ask questions without feeling rushed out the door.

This tour caps at 12 travelers, and the result is that your group usually has room to talk. One of the most consistent themes from real feedback is the welcome feeling—people cite hosts such as Sandu and Giuseppe for clear, practical explanations, plus Simona for a warm, personable approach.

Practical tip: Como can get busy on weekends. If you’re arriving by taxi or rideshare, leave a little buffer so you’re not cutting it close to the start.

The Wine Pour: 4 Wines, 4–5 Glasses, and How Options Can Change

The promise is a tasting that focuses on 4 wines paired with local cheese charcuterie, with 4–5 glasses poured during the experience. The sommelier describes each wine, gives tasting notes, and shares context on where the wines come from.

Here’s the key practical detail: there may be an option that continues the tasting with more wines. An operator response confirms that there are setups with an upgrade to a Top option that includes 7 wines, while the first part of the tasting stays the same. One review mentions everyone not seeing the exact same number of wines at their table, which is where your “ask before you assume” instinct pays off.

What to do before you go:

• Check your booking details so you know whether your experience includes only the core set or an expanded version.
• If you care about matching pours with your group, ask at check-in which wines are included in your ticket.

What You’ll Learn from the Sommelier (Without Making It Feel Like Class)

A good wine guide doesn’t just name bottles. The best part here is the way the sommelier ties together wine basics—like how grapes and regions affect flavor—with what you’re tasting in the moment.

In real feedback, hosts such as Sandu and Giuseppe are praised for explaining the wine making process and how aging or fermenting affects what you smell and taste. That kind of cause-and-effect is what turns wine from a mystery into something you can repeat on your next trip.

You’ll also get tasting notes. Even if you’re not a wine nerd, notes are useful because you can jot down what you liked (and what you didn’t) while everything is fresh. Later, when you see similar bottles in shops, you’ll have a memory hook instead of a vague “it was good” feeling.

The Food Pairing: Prosciutto Crudo, Cheese Selection, and Buffalo Mozzarella

The food isn’t an afterthought. You get an Italian mix board designed to complement the wine, with staples like prosciutto crudo, a selection of cheeses, and buffalo mozzarella.

Why this pairing matters:

• Prosciutto crudo brings salt and fat, which can make certain wines taste fruitier or smoother.
• Buffalo mozzarella adds creamy, milky softness, which often balances sharper reds and helps lighter wines feel rounder.
• A mix of cheeses gives you multiple textures, so each wine has a different “stage” to perform on.

Some feedback also mentions an added homemade style dessert element (like tiramisu) and dessert wine in certain cases. Don’t count on extras for every booking, but it’s a good sign that the kitchen and bar side pay attention to finishing touches.

Rule of thumb: come hungry. Multiple comments point out that the food and pours are ample for the time.

Taste Notes + Real Conversation: How to Get More Out of the Group Setting

Small-group doesn’t just mean nicer vibes. It means you can actually ask questions without feeling like you’re interrupting a room.

You might notice that the tasting often includes practical guidance that helps you taste better:

• How to think about aromas beyond “fruity vs not”
• What to pay attention to when you pair
• How to interpret serving style and region in simple terms

Several people mention that the host made the experience work even if they didn’t start with much wine knowledge. If you’re nervous about being the only non-expert, this kind of setup is built for you. You’ll get enough context to follow along and enough food pairing to understand it through taste, not just explanation.

If you’re traveling with someone who loves wine, this also works because the sommelier can go a bit deeper on request, especially when you ask where the wines come from and what to try next.

Price and Value: Is $79.24 Worth It in Como?

At $79.24 per person for about 90 minutes, the value comes from three things, not just the wine.

First, you’re not buying four glasses blindly. You’re paying for a guided tasting where the sommelier explains the wines and gives tasting notes. Second, the food is substantial for the format: a mix board with prosciutto crudo, cheeses, and buffalo mozzarella is already a meaningful snack. Third, wines are available to purchase after the tasting, with worldwide shipping, so you can convert what you learned into bottles you’ll actually enjoy later.

The one caveat is that the “core” experience may differ slightly from expanded options depending on what you select. If you’re the type who wants the broadest possible set, look closely at whether your ticket includes the longer tasting (some versions go up to 7 wines).

Who Should Book This Wine + Cheese Tasting in Como?

I’d point you here if:

• You want a guided introduction to Italian and world wine in Como city center
• You like learning through food pairing, not just sipping
• You want a small-group experience with time to talk
• You’re likely to buy a bottle or two afterward (especially since shipping is offered)

It’s also a solid choice for pairs and friends, and it’s described as working well for people with little wine background. The maximum 12 travelers keeps the conversation going without turning into a loud party.

If you hate group settings or need strict uniformity in what everyone receives, do one small thing: confirm what your specific ticket includes so there’s no surprise mid-tasting.

Should You Book? My Practical Recommendation

Yes, I’d book it if you want a compact, enjoyable way to understand wine pairing while you’re in Como. For the money, you’re getting the trio that makes tasting tours worth it: guided explanation, real food pairing, and notes you can use later.

I’d also book earlier rather than later if your dates are flexible. The tour is commonly reserved about a month out, so popular windows can fill.

My advice for the cleanest experience:

• Arrive a bit early for the start (the tasting begins a few minutes after meeting).
• Come ready to taste, not to snack lightly.
• If you’re the type who wants more wines, double-check whether you selected the expanded option.

FAQ

How long is the Taste of Lake Como wine tasting?

The experience lasts about 1 hour 30 minutes.

Where do we meet for the tour?

You meet at Capitan Drake, Via Francesco Benzi, 19, 22100 Como CO, Italy. The tour ends back at the meeting point.

What language is the tasting offered in?

The experience is offered in English.

How many travelers are in the group?

The tour has a maximum of 12 travelers.

What’s included in the tasting?

You’ll receive a selection of wines (typically 4–5 glasses) and a snack mix board with items such as prosciutto crudo, a cheese selection, and buffalo mozzarella.

Can I buy wines after the tasting?

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

Is there free cancellation?

Yes. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the experience’s start time.