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

Como’s Capitan Drake wine shop offers a compact, tasty introduction to Italian wine without sending you out into the countryside. You sit down with a sommelier, taste four wines from different regions, and pair them with prosciutto, cheeses, buffalo mozzarella, bread, and other Italian snacks.

I like the small group size, capped at 12, because it gives you a real chance to ask questions. I also like the practical tasting notes and the way the food helps explain each wine. The main drawback is that this is held in a wine shop rather than at a vineyard, and the standard tasting may feel short if you want a long, technical wine lesson.

Key points to know

• Four Italian wines, usually four to five glasses: The tasting focuses on different grapes, regions, production methods, and food pairings.
• A generous Italian food board: Expect prosciutto crudo, selected cheeses, buffalo mozzarella, bread, grapes, and other typical snacks.
• Sommelier-led and conversational: Hosts including Sandu and Giuseppe explain the wines and answer questions in English.
• A social Como experience: You share a table with a small group, making this a good choice if you enjoy meeting other wine lovers.
• Wine shopping is built in: Bottles can be purchased after the tasting, with worldwide shipping available.
• Plan your route carefully: The meeting point is at Capitan Drake, Via Francesco Benzi 19, and Saturday taxi service may be difficult.

Four Italian wines in 90 minutes

This is not a formal winery tour with vineyard walks, cellar machinery, or a long meal. It is a seated tasting in Como at Capitan Drake, a wine shop with a broad selection of Italian and international bottles.

That focus is useful if your time around Lake Como is tight. In roughly an hour and a half, you get a guided sample of Italian wine regions and a plate of food that makes the tasting more concrete. Instead of simply hearing that a wine is bold, dry, fresh, or aromatic, you can see how it works with salty cured meat, creamy cheese, or buffalo mozzarella.

The standard experience includes four wines, with some descriptions referring to four or five glasses. The exact selection can vary, since the sommelier chooses the wines and the experience is built around the group in front of them. An optional higher-priced tasting with seven wines may also be available, but it is not part of the advertised standard package.

If you are new to wine, you do not need to arrive with a polished vocabulary. The hosts explain the grapes, regions, aging, fermentation, serving methods, and suitable pairings in clear terms. If you already know Italian wine, the value is more likely to come from the selection and the chance to compare bottles from different areas.

Entering Capitan Drake on Via Francesco Benzi

Your meeting point is Capitan Drake, at Via Francesco Benzi 19 in Como. The experience begins a few minutes after the scheduled meeting time, so do not worry if the tasting does not start at the precise minute printed on your confirmation.

The address is described as easy enough to find, but it is a little off the main sightseeing path. That is not a serious problem, though you should allow extra time to get there, especially on a busy Saturday. One booking party arrived about 10 minutes late and was accommodated, but punctuality is still the safer plan.

The activity ends at the same shop. You are not being moved between several locations, which keeps the schedule simple and makes this a useful stop before dinner or after a day of exploring central Como.

The setting is a wine shop rather than a grand estate. That gives the tasting a more everyday feel. Bottles surround you, and the shop’s broad selection gives you a sense of how much more there is to explore beyond the wines in your flight.

What lands on the board

The food is one of the strongest parts of the experience. The included mix board features prosciutto crudo, Italian cheeses, and buffalo mozzarella, with bread, grapes, and other typical foods also appearing in the tasting.

The board is not just a snack to keep you comfortable while drinking. It is part of the lesson. Salty prosciutto can change the way you notice acidity. Soft mozzarella can make a wine seem lighter or more refreshing. A firm cheese may bring out a wine’s fruit or structure.

The amount of food appears generous for a tasting. One description advises arriving hungry, while another calls the food ample and delicious. You should still think of it as a substantial tasting board, not a replacement for a full Italian dinner.

Selections can vary, and that is worth keeping in mind if you have strong dietary needs. The stated menu includes meat and dairy, and no vegetarian, vegan, or allergy-specific alternatives are provided in the information available. Ask the operator before booking if this matters to you.

There may also be an occasional extra touch. One tasting included homemade tiramisu and a dessert wine, but this should be treated as a possible bonus rather than a guaranteed part of the menu.

The sommelier makes the difference

The most praised feature is the person leading the table. Hosts named in the feedback include Sandu and Giuseppe, and both are described as warm, clear, and well prepared. The host can explain where each bottle comes from, which grapes it uses, how it was made, and how to serve it.

That matters because wine tastings can easily become a string of vague adjectives. Here, you are given information you can use when you next shop for a bottle or order wine at a restaurant. The tasting notes supplied at the end are especially handy. You can take them home and remember which grape or region appealed to you.

Sandu receives particularly strong praise for her presentation and wine choices. Giuseppe is noted for pairing wines with the meats and cheeses while explaining the wine-making process. The specific host may vary, so you should not book expecting one named person every time, but the experience clearly depends on an engaged host rather than a self-serve pour.

The format also works well for mixed groups. If one person knows very little about wine and another enjoys comparing regions, the conversation can serve both. The explanations are designed to be approachable, not intimidating.

Meeting people around a shared table

With a maximum of 12 participants, this is a social tasting rather than a private lesson. You may share the table with couples, families, and solo visitors from different countries.

That can be a real plus in Como, where many activities center on sightseeing rather than conversation. The wine and food give everyone an easy subject, and the relaxed format can lead to friendly talk between pours.

The same setup is not perfect for everyone. If you want a private tasting or quiet time with your own group, ask about private arrangements before booking. One party found it awkward when another group at the same table purchased an upgrade and began receiving additional wines. The operator explained that the standard tasting is the same for everyone at first, while the seven-wine option costs extra.

The practical lesson is simple: clarify the tasting level when you arrive. If others at your table choose the longer option, you can ask whether you may join for an additional fee. You should not assume that extra bottles are included in the $79.24 price.

How good is the $79.24 value?

At $79.24 per person, this is not the cheapest way to sample Italian wine. You are paying for four guided pours, a substantial food board, the sommelier’s time, tasting notes, and a small-group setting in central Como.

For many visitors, that is fair value. Buying four interesting Italian wines on your own would cost money, and you would not get the same explanation or pairing guidance. The included food also gives this more substance than a bare wine flight.

The value is strongest if you want structure. You sit down, taste in sequence, learn about the bottles, and leave with a better idea of what you like. It is weaker if you mainly want to drink a large quantity of wine or enjoy a full meal.

The duration is about 90 minutes, though the actual pace can change with the group. Some sessions have lasted longer, especially when people stay to talk or continue with additional wines. If you have a train, ferry, or dinner reservation soon afterward, leave a little breathing room.

Wine is available for purchase after the tasting, and the shop can arrange worldwide shipping. That is useful if you discover a bottle you cannot easily find at home. Shipping costs and delivery details are not included in the stated price, so ask for the full total before paying.

What the tasting teaches you

The educational side is broad rather than highly technical. You can expect discussion of:

• The grape varieties used in each wine
• The region where each bottle was produced
• Fermentation and aging
• How to serve the wine
• Food pairings
• Tasting notes to help you remember the bottles

The selection often focuses on Italian wines, including bottles from Lombardy and other regions. The exact lineup is not fixed in the supplied details, so you should not expect a named set of four wines every time.

That flexibility can be an advantage. The sommelier can shape the tasting around available bottles or the group’s interests. It also means you should think of this as a guided introduction rather than a fixed master class on one appellation.

If you are especially interested in Lombardy, the experience may be a good fit. Como sits in the region, and one tasting featured wines from the Lombardy area. Still, the selection can include wines from other Italian regions, and the shop also carries bottles from around the world.

Small points that can affect your evening

The experience is offered in English, and confirmation is provided at booking. Mobile tickets make arrival easy, though you still need to locate the shop on Via Francesco Benzi.

The meeting point is near public transportation. Service animals are allowed, and most people can participate. No strenuous walking is involved, since the tasting takes place at one location.

A group limit of 12 keeps the setting manageable, but it does not guarantee a private table. If you are booking for a larger party, the operator may be able to accommodate changes, but the published maximum remains 12.

Saturday deserves special planning. One party found it hard to get a taxi because Como was busy. Public transportation or an earlier departure from your hotel may be wiser than relying on a last-minute cab.

The cancellation terms are straightforward: cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours ahead are not accepted for a refund.

Who should book this Como wine tasting?

I would recommend it to you if you want an easy introduction to Italian wines and prefer learning through food. It suits couples, small groups, solo visitors, and families with adults who enjoy a social table.

It is also a good rainy-day option. You do not need to spend hours walking between sites, and the 90-minute format fits neatly into a full Como itinerary.

Wine beginners should feel comfortable here. The host explains the basics without requiring prior knowledge, and the notes help you keep track of what you tasted.

Experienced wine drinkers may enjoy it if they like discovering lesser-known bottles and talking with a sommelier. But if your main goal is to visit vineyards, see production firsthand, or taste a very specific list of wines, choose a countryside winery tour instead.

You should also consider your appetite and drinking pace. The food is substantial, but the activity is still a tasting, not a formal lunch. The four wines are served over the session, and extra wines cost more.

Should you book Taste of Lake Como?

Book this experience if you want a friendly, food-centered introduction to Italian wine in Como, especially if you have only one evening or a free afternoon. The sommelier-led format, generous board, tasting notes, and small group make the price easier to justify than a simple glass-by-glass wine stop.

Skip it if you want vineyard scenery, a private table, or a long restaurant meal. Also clarify the standard and upgraded wine options at the start so you know exactly what is included.

For most visitors who enjoy good food, clear explanations, and a chance to meet people, this is a sensible Como experience. Just arrive on time, plan transportation carefully on Saturdays, and save room for the cheese.

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. It begins a few minutes after the meeting time and ends back at Capitan Drake.

How many wines are included?

The standard tasting includes four wines, with the experience information also describing four to five glasses. An optional higher tasting level with seven wines may be available for an extra charge.

What food is served?

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

Is the wine tasting offered in English?

Yes. The experience is offered in English.

How large is the group?

The activity has a maximum of 12 participants.

Can I buy wine after the tasting?

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

Is transportation available near the meeting point?

The meeting point is near public transportation. Taxi service may be difficult during busy periods, particularly on Saturdays.

What is the cancellation policy?

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