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

Four wines, and real Como bites. What makes this tasting fun is the guided varietal breakdown and the Italian cheese-and-meat mix (including buffalo mozzarella). The only downside to plan for: it’s set up inside a wine shop, and you’ll want to arrive close to the meeting time since the tasting starts a few minutes after.

I like that you don’t just get wine in your glass. You get pairing logic, winery info, and tasting notes designed to help you remember the flavors when you’re back home. It’s also a true small-group setup, so you can actually ask questions without shouting over a crowd.

One more practical note: the experience is around 1 hour 30 minutes, but the pace can stretch if the group is chatting and the host is taking time with explanations. If you’re the type who hates delays, build in a little buffer for the end.

Key Things That Make This Taste of Lake Como Worth Your Time

• Small-group cap of 12 people, which keeps the conversation practical, not chaotic
• 4–5 glasses included with a structured sommelier-led walk-through
• Real Italian pairing plate with prosciutto crudo, cheese selection, and buffalo mozzarella
• Tasting notes you get to take away, so you can match memories to bottles later
• You can buy wine after, with worldwide shipping if you fall in love with a pour
• Optional higher-wine package may exist (some guests talk about 7 wines with an added option)

Como’s Wine Shop Meeting Point: Easy to Find, Still Feels Local

This experience meets at Capitan Drake, Via Francesco Benzi, 19, 22100 Como. Staying in the city center matters here: you can fit this into a normal Como day without committing to a long bus ride or a far-off countryside stop.

It also helps that it’s set up as a wine bar or shop setting. You’re not rushing from one place to another—you’re settling in. That makes the tasting feel more like a guided evening with a local than a quick airport-style sample.

You’ll likely also appreciate the basics: mobile ticket, English spoken, and it’s near public transportation. The group size stays small (maximum 12), which is a big deal for comfort and for actually hearing the sommelier’s explanations.

The 90-Minute Tasting Rhythm: What Happens After You Arrive

The tasting starts a few minutes after the meeting time. That sounds minor, but it changes how you should plan your day. If you’re timing a train connection or you’re doing a tight schedule, aim to show up early so you don’t end up standing around while everyone else has started.

Once the group is seated, the sommelier runs the structure: descriptions of the wines, tasting notes, and information about the wineries. The goal is not just to say what you’re drinking—it’s to give you a framework for how to taste. That’s why guests often come away able to explain the difference between bottles, not just the name on the label.

Duration is listed at about 1 hour 30 minutes. In real life, it can stretch a bit depending on questions and pacing. If you want a strict timeline, plan a small buffer right after the tasting ends back at the same meeting point.

Four Wines Plus a Pairing Plate: What You’ll Actually Taste

The core promise is 4 wines paired with local cheese and charcuterie, and the tasting is designed around food that can handle wine changes. Expect a menu built around a mix board, with prosciutto crudo, a cheese selection, and buffalo mozzarella. It’s the kind of pairing that makes sense right away: salty, creamy, and slightly funky foods help you notice the wine’s acidity, tannins, and aromatics.

The included amount is 4–5 glasses. That range is a clue: the host may pour slightly more than the headline number depending on the flow of the tasting. A few guests also mention an extra wine during the session, so don’t be surprised if you end up with more than you expected.

You might also see dessert elements depending on what’s being served that day. One review notes homemade tiramisu and a dessert wine. Since that isn’t listed in the standard sample menu, I’d treat it as a pleasant extra that could show up during certain tastings.

Why this format works: wine tasting can be abstract if you skip food. Here, the charcuterie and cheeses act like a palate reset. Each bite changes what you notice in the next pour, which is exactly how you learn fast.

Who Guides You Through the Pour: The Sommelier Experience

A big part of the value is the professional sommelier-led format. Hosts focus on the wines’ varietals and give context on where they come from. Based on what people reported, the explanations can include grapes, regional identity, and even practical details like how wine ferments or ages.

You might meet hosts like Sandu or Giuseppe—names show up repeatedly in reviews—and some guests also mention Simona. The common thread isn’t who’s behind the counter; it’s the way they speak clearly and connect the tasting to real flavors.

This is also one of the easiest ways to meet other people in Como. When the group is small, you’re not just passive in a class. People share questions, compare notes, and end up talking like normal human beings instead of sitting through a lecture.

Taking Tasting Notes Home: How This Helps You After Como

You’ll receive tasting notes during the experience. That matters more than it sounds. Without notes, wine can blur together after a day of sightseeing and late dinners. With notes, you can remember which pour you liked and why—fruit, spice, structure, or the food pairing.

This is also a practical tool if you shop for wine later. Instead of buying purely by label or price, you’ll have personal language for the bottle. It’s a small thing, but it turns a fun night into a useful memory you can use.

Pairing Logic: Why Prosciutto, Cheese, and Buffalo Mozzarella Work

Italian pairings here aren’t random. Prosciutto crudo brings salt and protein. Cheese adds fat and texture. Buffalo mozzarella adds a milder tang and a creamy bounce. Put those together and you get a natural way to sense wine differences.

Here’s what I’d watch for as you taste:

• If a wine feels sharper, it often pairs better with fattier bites like cheese or mozzarella.
• If a wine tastes thin alone, it can round out with charcuterie and bread.
• If you notice strong flavors in the cheese, you’re likely detecting the wine’s balance.

The sommelier’s job is to help you connect those dots, so you don’t leave feeling like it was just a free tasting. You leave with a method.

Price and Value: Is $79.24 a Smart Como Spend?

At $79.24 per person, you’re paying for more than four sips. The price includes a selection of very good wines (about 4–5 glasses) plus typical Italian snacks—including prosciutto crudo, cheese, and buffalo mozzarella. You’re also paying for a guided small-group format led by a sommelier, plus the tasting notes.

You’re not paying separately for food, and you’re not just sampling cheap pours. A lot of wine tastings on vacation charge extra for the pairing component or keep it minimal. Here, the pairing is clearly part of the lesson.

The value gets even better if you’re the kind of person who plans to buy a bottle anyway. Wines are available for purchase after the experience, and the operator notes worldwide shipping. If you find two bottles you really want, the night can start paying you back quickly.

What isn’t included: tips and any extra wines after the tasting (beyond what’s poured during the session).

When Things Feel Awkward: The One Thing to Watch For

Most experiences run smoothly, but there is one potential friction point. One complaint mentions that guests were seated with another group, and that group received more wines than their table. The issue sounded less like the host was doing something wrong and more like the session format changes when people choose upgrades.

If you want the most wines possible, do yourself a favor and ask early what you’re signed up for. The operator response also mentions an option that can include 7 wines (an added upgrade), and that the early part of the tasting may be the same before continuing if you pay the extra option.

In short: if you care about every pour, clarify package details at the start so your table experience stays consistent.

Who This Tasting Fits Best (and Who Might Skip It)

This is ideal for:

• wine lovers who want clear explanations and pairing structure
• travelers who like small groups and conversation
• people who want to buy a bottle later, since worldwide shipping is part of the plan
• beginners, too, because the tone reported is friendly and welcoming rather than intimidating

You might skip it if:

• you’re extremely pressed for time and can’t handle a flexible end
• you hate any chance of mismatch in what other people at your table receive (upgrades can cause that)

Should You Book Taste of Lake Como: Four Wines Paired with Local Cheese Charcuterie?

Yes—if you want a guided, food-forward wine tasting in Como that stays human-scaled. For the money, it’s a strong deal because the session includes the wines, the pairing board, and a sommelier-led explanation plus tasting notes. The high recommendation rate and consistently top ratings point to one simple pattern: people leave feeling educated and well fed.

Before you go, do two things:

• Arrive on time so you’re in the group when the tasting begins.
• If you’re aiming for the maximum number of wines, ask upfront what’s included in your exact option.

FAQ

How much does Taste of Lake Como cost?

It’s priced at $79.24 per person.

How long is the tasting?

The duration is about 1 hour 30 minutes.

Where do I meet for the tour?

The meeting point is Capitan Drake, Via Francesco Benzi, 19, 22100 Como, Italy, and the experience ends back at the same location.

How many wines and glasses are included?

The experience is described as tasting 4 wines, and it includes 4–5 glasses to enjoy during the tasting.

What food is included with the wine?

You’ll get a mix board of typical Italian snacks, including prosciutto crudo, a cheese selection, and buffalo mozzarella.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes, it’s offered in English.

Is there an opportunity to buy wine after the tasting?

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

What is the group size?

The maximum group size is 12 travelers.

What’s the cancellation policy?

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours in advance of the experience start time. Free cancellation applies as long as you meet that cutoff.