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

Como’s Capitan Drake wine shop turns a simple tasting into a guided tour of Italy in the glass. You sit around a shared table, sample four or five wines, and pair them with prosciutto, cheeses, buffalo mozzarella, bread, grapes, and other typical Italian foods.

I like the small group size, capped at 12, because it gives you room to ask questions. I also like the regional focus. The wines are not just poured without context. Your sommelier explains the grapes, wineries, production methods, serving style, and food pairings.

The main thing to consider is that the experience can vary slightly depending on the group and the option selected. Some people have stayed longer or added extra wines, while others received the basic tasting. If you want every pour at the table, ask clearly about upgrades before the tasting begins.

Key details at a glance

• Four to five glasses: The standard tasting includes a selection of Italian wines, with an occasional additional pour.
• A generous food board: Expect prosciutto crudo, cheeses, buffalo mozzarella, bread, grapes, and other Italian bites.
• Guided by a sommelier: Hosts such as Sandu and Giuseppe explain grape varieties, regions, aging, fermentation, and pairings.
• Small Como setting: The tasting takes place at Capitan Drake, a wine shop in Como city center, with a maximum of 12 people.
• Useful take-home notes: Written tasting information helps you remember the wines after your trip.
• Wine shipping available: You can buy bottles after the tasting and arrange worldwide shipping.

Why this tasting works well in Como

Lake Como is famous for boat rides, villas, and mountain views. Wine tasting gives you a different way to understand northern Italy, one that is less dependent on weather and easier to fit into a busy day.

This experience takes place at Capitan Drake on Via Francesco Benzi, 19. It is a wine shop with a wide selection of Italian and international bottles, so the setting feels more like a working wine stop than a formal museum-style presentation.

That matters because you can see the bottles around you while the sommelier talks. You are not only tasting four isolated samples. You are learning how Italian wine fits into a much wider world of grapes, regions, producers, and styles.

The tasting is offered in English and lasts about 90 minutes. That is long enough for useful explanations without taking over an entire afternoon. You can schedule it between sightseeing in Como, a meal, or a trip on the lake.

What happens at Capitan Drake

You meet at Capitan Drake, and the tasting usually begins a few minutes after the stated meeting time. That short pause allows the group to gather and settle around the table.

The exact presentation depends on the host and the group, but the basic pattern is clear. The sommelier introduces each wine, explains where it comes from, discusses the grape or grapes used, and describes how it was made. You then taste it with food selected to suit its flavor.

Hosts named in the feedback include Sandu and Giuseppe. Sandu is repeatedly praised for her clear presentation and warm manner. Giuseppe has been noted for his explanations of the Lombardy region and the wine-making process.

The setting is comfortable and informal. You might sit with people from several countries, which can add an easy social element to the meal. If you prefer a quiet private tasting, this is not that kind of experience. You are joining a shared table.

The maximum group size is 12. That is small enough for conversation, though the actual atmosphere will depend on who attends. A group of ten can feel lively and social, while a smaller group may allow more direct questions.

Four wines, with the food doing real work

The important part of this experience is not simply the number of glasses. It is the connection between wine and food.

Your board includes prosciutto crudo, a selection of cheeses, buffalo mozzarella, and other typical Italian snacks. Some tastings also include bread, grapes, and dessert items such as tiramisu with a dessert wine, depending on the selections made that day.

The food is generous enough that you should not arrive expecting only a few salty crackers. One useful tip is to come hungry, particularly if you are planning this as an early evening activity.

Each bite gives you a way to compare the wine. A salty cured meat can make a wine seem fruitier. Creamy cheese can soften sharper acidity. Buffalo mozzarella offers a fresh, mild contrast. The sommelier uses these pairings to show why certain combinations work.

This is also helpful if you are new to wine. You do not need to identify aromas or understand technical terms before you arrive. The food gives you something familiar to focus on while you learn.

The standard experience includes four to five glasses. The advertised package describes four wines, while the included beverage information allows for four or five glasses. An extra wine may sometimes be offered, but you should not assume that every group receives the same number of pours.

The regional lesson behind the tasting

Italian wine can be confusing because the country has many grape varieties and distinct growing areas. A guided tasting gives you a simple structure for making sense of those differences.

Your host may discuss Lombardy, the region around Lake Como, and other Italian wine areas. The focus can include grape types, aging, fermentation, production methods, and how the wine should be served.

The wines are not limited to one narrow style. The shop carries bottles from across Italy and around the world, but the tasting often focuses on Italian regions. That makes it a useful introduction if your trip includes several parts of the country.

I especially like the practical side of the explanations. You learn not only where a bottle comes from, but also what to eat with it and how to think about its character. The tasting notes are useful here. You can look back at them later when you are choosing a bottle at home or trying to remember a wine you enjoyed in Como.

Do not expect a formal certification course. This is a social tasting with instruction, food, and conversation. It suits beginners and casual wine drinkers better than people seeking a technical examination of Italian viticulture.

A social experience, not a private table

The group format is part of the appeal. You are likely to share the table with other wine lovers, and the food naturally gives everyone something to discuss.

Several groups have included people from different parts of Europe and beyond. That can make the evening more fun, especially if you are traveling as a couple and want a break from dining alone.

The hosts are described as welcoming and willing to answer questions. People with little wine experience have felt comfortable asking basic questions, which is important. A good tasting should not make you feel that you need to know the difference between every Italian grape before sitting down.

There is a small tradeoff. A shared group means the pace is not completely yours. You may need to wait while the host explains a wine or answers another person’s question. If another group at your table selects an upgrade with additional wines, the difference in pours can also feel awkward.

The provider’s response to this concern indicates that an expanded option with up to seven wines may be available for an added fee. The basic tasting begins the same way, but you should ask what is included for your booking and whether everyone at the table is taking the same option.

Is the $79.24 price good value?

At $79.24 per person, this is not a cheap drink stop. You are paying for four or five wines, a substantial board of Italian food, a sommelier-led explanation, and a small-group setting in central Como.

The value is strongest if you would otherwise pay for a meal and several drinks. The food can function as a light meal, and the instruction adds something you would not get by ordering a bottle at a bar.

It is also a sensible choice if you want to buy Italian wine but do not know what to choose. You can taste first, ask questions, and then decide if a bottle is worth taking home. Wines are available for purchase after the tasting, with worldwide shipping offered.

The value is weaker if you only want a quick sample or if you already have a detailed understanding of Italian wine. You may find the explanations too basic, especially if you are looking for rare bottles or a highly technical class.

For most visitors, the combination of food and teaching makes the price reasonable. I would treat it as a wine-focused lunch or aperitivo with a lesson attached, not as a quick four-pour flight.

Timing, location, and small practical points

The meeting point is Capitan Drake, Via Francesco Benzi, 19, 22100 Como. The experience ends at the same place, so you do not need to arrange a separate return transfer.

The shop is near public transportation, but allow extra time to find it. One person arrived about ten minutes late and was accommodated, yet arriving on time remains the better plan. The tasting starts shortly after the meeting time, and late arrivals can miss the opening explanation.

Saturday transport can be a concern. Como may be busy, and finding a taxi can take time. If you are attending on a Saturday, plan your route before setting out rather than relying on a last-minute cab.

The experience is available with a mobile ticket. It is offered in English, and service animals are allowed. Most people can participate, though the supplied information does not describe specific seating or mobility arrangements, so contact the provider if you need details beyond that.

Free cancellation is available when you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours in advance are not refunded or accepted.

Who should book this experience?

This tasting suits you if you want:

• An introduction to Italian wine without committing to a full-day winery trip
• A meal-sized board of cured meats and cheese
• A friendly group setting
• Clear explanations rather than complicated wine theory
• The chance to buy and ship bottles home
• An indoor activity that fits around Como sightseeing

It is especially useful for couples, small friend groups, and solo visitors who enjoy meeting people at a shared table. Families can also take part if the adults are interested in wine, though the central focus is alcoholic tasting.

You may want something else if you expect a private tasting, a visit to vineyards, or a strict four-wine format with every person receiving exactly the same pours. This takes place in a city wine shop, not at a vineyard, and the group format can include optional upgrades.

My take on the hosts and presentation

The hosts are the strongest part of the experience. Sandu is often singled out for her energy, clear delivery, and ability to make the tasting feel personal. Giuseppe is praised for his discussion of Lombardy and how the wines are made.

The best presentations explain enough without turning the table into a lecture. Here, you can expect discussion of grapes, regions, fermentation, aging, serving methods, and food matches. You can also ask questions as you go.

The tone appears warm rather than formal. That is a good match for Como, where many people want a pleasant evening rather than a classroom. The host’s personality can shape the event, so the experience may feel slightly different from one date to the next.

The food and wine selections also vary. That is normal for a tasting built around available bottles, but it means you should think of the menu as a well-chosen Italian board rather than a fixed restaurant menu.

Should you book the Capitan Drake tasting?

I would book it if you want a friendly, food-centered introduction to Italian wine in Como. The strongest reasons are the sommelier guidance, the ample cheese and charcuterie board, the small group, and the chance to ship bottles home after finding something you like.

I would skip it if you want a private vineyard visit or a tightly controlled tasting where everyone receives the exact same wines. Before sitting down, ask about the standard pour, any optional upgrade, and how many wines your price includes.

For most visitors who enjoy wine and Italian snacks, this is a good use of 90 minutes. Arrive on time, come hungry, and treat the event as both a tasting and a social evening.

FAQ

Where does the wine tasting take place?

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

How long does the experience last?

The tasting lasts approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes, though the time can vary if the group adds wines or continues socializing.

How many wines are included?

The standard tasting includes four wines, with the included beverage details describing four to five glasses. An expanded option with additional wines may be available for an extra fee.

What food is served?

The tasting includes typical Italian food such as prosciutto crudo, a cheese selection, buffalo mozzarella, and other snacks. Bread, grapes, tiramisu, or dessert wine may also be served depending on the tasting selections.

Is the tasting offered in English?

Yes. The experience is offered in English.

How many people can join?

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.

Does the activity return to the meeting point?

Yes. The tasting ends back at Capitan Drake.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours in advance are not refunded or accepted.