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

Como’s Capitan Drake wine shop offers a friendly introduction to Italian wine without sending you out of town. You taste four to five wines from different Italian regions while a sommelier explains the grapes, production, serving style, and food matches. The generous board of prosciutto, cheeses, bread, and buffalo mozzarella gives the tasting a proper meal-like feel.

I like the small group size, which makes it easier to ask questions and meet people from other countries. I also like the practical tasting notes, since they help you remember what you enjoyed after you return home. The main drawback is that the standard tasting can differ from an upgraded option at the same table, so ask clearly what is included before the pours begin.

Key points at a glance

• Four to five wines: Taste a selection of Italian wines, with bottles chosen from different regions and styles.
• Food with a purpose: Prosciutto, cheeses, buffalo mozzarella, bread, and other typical Italian snacks are served to match the wines.
• Sommelier-led guidance: Sandu, Giuseppe, and other Capitan Drake hosts explain grapes, regions, fermentation, aging, and pairings.
• Small Como setting: The tasting takes place at Capitan Drake in the city center, with a maximum of 12 people.
• A social hour and a half: You share a table with other wine lovers, then finish back at the same shop.
• Buy what you like: Wines are available after the tasting, with worldwide shipping offered.

Starting at Capitan Drake in Como city center

The experience begins at Capitan Drake, on Via Francesco Benzi, 19, in Como. This is a wine shop rather than a large vineyard estate, so the setting feels urban, compact, and convenient. You are surrounded by bottles from Italy and around the world while the tasting gets underway a few minutes after the scheduled meeting time.

That shop setting has a useful advantage. You can compare the wines you taste with a much wider selection on the shelves, and you can buy a bottle later if one catches your attention. The drawback is equally clear: you are not touring a vineyard or seeing barrels, cellars, or grape fields. This is a focused tasting lesson in Como, not a countryside winery excursion.

The tasting is offered in English and usually lasts about 90 minutes. The group can include up to 12 people, which is large enough for lively conversation but still small enough for direct questions. The format suits solo visitors and couples especially well, since you share the table with people who have also come to talk, taste, and compare impressions.

Four wines, with a possible fifth pour

The standard experience includes four glasses, though the details describe four to five pours. In practice, you should expect four wines as the core tasting, with a fifth sometimes included or offered depending on the session. One useful point to clarify at the start is the difference between the regular tasting and any upgrade.

The tasting begins with an introduction to each bottle. Your sommelier explains where the wine comes from, the grapes used, and how it was made. You also receive guidance on tasting notes, serving methods, and the food that best suits each style.

This is more useful than simply lining up four glasses and naming the regions. You learn how to notice differences between wines and how to describe what you are drinking. The explanations cover subjects such as fermentation, aging, grape-growing areas, and the character of wines from various parts of Italy.

The selection leans toward Italian wine, with particular attention to local and regional bottles. You might taste wines from Lombardy and other parts of Italy, rather than getting four predictable labels from one famous area. The exact bottles can change, which is normal for a shop-based tasting and keeps the experience tied to what is available.

If you have very little wine experience, do not worry about saying the wrong thing. The hosts are used to explaining the basics clearly, and the format welcomes questions. If you already know Italian wine well, the value will depend more on the specific bottles and the quality of the conversation than on learning elementary tasting technique.

A board built for pairing, not decoration

The food is one of the strongest parts of the experience. You receive a mixed board of typical Italian foods, including prosciutto crudo, a selection of cheeses, buffalo mozzarella, bread, and sometimes other small accompaniments such as grapes or dessert.

This matters because wine makes more sense with food. A salty slice of cured ham can change how you perceive acidity. A creamy cheese can soften a sharper wine. Buffalo mozzarella brings a fresh, milky contrast to wines with more fruit or structure.

The portions appear generous enough that you should not arrive expecting only a token snack. Several people have found the food ample, and the combination can function as a light meal. Still, it is best to think of it as a tasting board rather than a full restaurant dinner.

The pairing also gives the sommelier a practical way to teach. Instead of hearing an abstract description of tannins or acidity, you can taste how the wine works with prosciutto or cheese in front of you. That makes the lesson easier to remember when you order wine at home.

Some sessions may include a sweet finish, such as tiramisu with dessert wine. This is not listed as a guaranteed part of every standard tasting, so treat it as a possible extra rather than a promised course.

Sandu, Giuseppe, and the human side of the tasting

The host makes a major difference here. Sandu is repeatedly noted for clear explanations, warm conversation, and strong wine selections. Giuseppe has also led tastings, with particular attention to Lombardy, winemaking methods, meats, and cheeses.

The best part of the hosting style is the balance between teaching and conversation. You are not expected to sit silently while someone reads a script. Questions are welcome, and the hosts explain regions and grapes in plain language. If your group has almost no wine experience, the session can still feel comfortable rather than intimidating.

The social element is important, too. You may be seated with other people from Europe and elsewhere, and the shared board gives everyone an easy subject to discuss. A small group of ten or fewer can produce a relaxed, talkative table without the noise and pressure of a large food tour.

That social setup may not suit everyone. If you want a private tasting with your own guide, this is not the right format. You are joining a shared experience, and the tone can depend on the personalities around the table.

What the 90-minute schedule feels like

The official duration is about one hour and 30 minutes. The tasting starts shortly after the meeting time, then moves through the wines, food pairings, and explanations. The experience finishes back at Capitan Drake, so there is no separate drop-off point to find.

A typical flow looks like this:

• You meet at Capitan Drake and settle into the shop setting.
• The sommelier introduces the first wine and explains its origin and style.
• The group tastes the wine with selected meats, cheeses, or other snacks.
• The same process continues through the remaining wines.
• You receive tasting notes and can ask about bottles, regions, and pairings.
• You may purchase additional wine after the tasting.

The pace should feel unhurried enough for questions. Some sessions can run longer if conversation continues or if the group chooses an upgrade. One important practical issue is that an upgraded tasting may include more wines than the standard option. If others at your table choose extra pours, ask whether you can join and what additional payment is required.

That small clarification can prevent confusion. The standard tasting is not necessarily meant to include every wine served to another group at the table. Know your package before the first glass, especially if you prefer everyone in your party to receive the same pours.

Is $79.24 a fair price?

At $79.24 per person, this is not a bargain snack stop. The price makes more sense if you treat it as a guided wine lesson with a substantial food board, rather than four small samples at a shop counter.

You are paying for four to five alcoholic pours, the sommelier’s instruction, tasting notes, Italian meats and cheeses, buffalo mozzarella, and a social setting lasting around 90 minutes. The food is generous enough to add real value, and the teaching helps you make better choices later in your trip.

The value is strongest for people who want structure. You can certainly buy wine and cheese in Como for less, but you would not receive the same explanation of regional grapes, fermentation, aging, and food pairing. You also would not have the built-in chance to meet other wine drinkers.

The price is less compelling if you already have extensive knowledge of Italian wine and mainly want a large number of pours. In that case, check whether the standard package offers enough variety for you, and ask about the upgrade before you sit down.

Buying bottles after the tasting

Capitan Drake sells wine after the experience, and worldwide shipping is available. This is convenient if you find a bottle you like but do not want to carry it through the rest of your trip.

The tasting gives you a sensible way to buy. Rather than choosing a bottle from an unfamiliar shelf, you can ask about the wine you just tasted, its food matches, and similar bottles. You can also request information about shipping before committing.

Do not assume that purchasing wine is part of the tour price. Extra bottles, shipping, and any additional pours are separate costs. The included experience covers the listed wines and snacks, not a take-home case.

Getting there and planning your visit

The meeting point is Via Francesco Benzi, 19, 22100 Como. The shop is near public transportation, and most people can take part. Service animals are allowed.

Como can be difficult for last-minute taxi travel at especially busy times. If you are booking a Saturday or have a firm dinner reservation afterward, allow extra time to reach the shop and return to your hotel or station. The tasting ends where it begins, which helps, but you still need to arrange your onward transport.

The experience is often reserved well ahead, with bookings averaging about 31 days in advance. That does not guarantee every date will sell out, but it is a useful warning for peak travel periods. If this tasting is important to your Como plans, do not leave it until the day before.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund.

Who should book this Como tasting?

I would choose this experience if you want an approachable introduction to Italian wine, especially if you are staying in Como city and do not want to spend half a day traveling to a vineyard. It also works well for couples, solo visitors, and small groups who enjoy meeting people at a shared table.

It is a good match for:

• Wine beginners who want clear guidance without a formal lecture.
• Food lovers who care about cheese, prosciutto, and proper pairings.
• Visitors with limited time in Como.
• People who want to ship Italian wine home.
• Groups looking for a relaxed indoor activity.

I would look elsewhere if your priority is vineyard scenery, a private guide, or a full meal with several courses. You should also ask about the standard and upgraded tasting options if you want more than four pours.

Should you book it?

Yes, if you want a social, city-center wine experience that combines useful instruction with generous Italian snacks. The strongest reasons to book are the warm hosts, the clear explanations, the well-matched food, and the chance to taste wines from more than one Italian region.

Just arrive knowing what the standard package includes. Ask about the number of pours, any upgrade, and the cost of extra wine before the tasting begins. With that small bit of planning, Capitan Drake offers a pleasant and practical way to spend an evening in Como, especially when you want to taste local flavors without leaving town.

FAQ

Where does the wine tasting take place?

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

How long does the experience last?

The scheduled duration is approximately one hour and 30 minutes. A session may run longer if the group continues talking or chooses additional wine.

How many wines are included?

The standard experience includes four glasses, with the details also describing four to five glasses. Ask the host at the start whether a fifth wine is included in your specific session.

What food is served with the wine?

The tasting includes typical Italian foods such as prosciutto crudo, assorted cheeses, buffalo mozzarella, bread, and other snack items. A mixed board is served to pair with the wines.

How large is the group?

The maximum group size is 12 people. You share the tasting with other wine lovers rather than having a private session.

Can I buy wine after the tasting?

Yes. Additional bottles are available for purchase after the experience, and worldwide shipping is offered. Extra wine and shipping are not included in the tasting price.