Como: Wine Tasting Experience with Cheese and Cold Cuts

Come for the wine, stay for the lively table. This tasting at Enoteca Capitan Drake gives you a pleasant way to sample four or seven wines while learning how different grapes and regions shape what is in your glass. I like the personal guidance from the sommelier, and I like the generous pairing of cured meats and cheeses. One consideration is value: at $59 per person, the standard tasting makes the most sense if you want a focused introduction rather than a full evening of drinking.

You meet at a wine shop just a few meters from Como’s old city walls, so this fits neatly into a day of sightseeing. I also like that you can choose a vegetarian dish, request a small group, or reserve the shop for a private tasting. The main uncertainty is consistency, since one participant found the wine service less impressive and felt the price was high.

The strongest praise has gone to Sandu, whose warm manner, enthusiasm, and wine knowledge helped turn the tasting into a social occasion. Expect an informal table, generous pours according to one account, and a chance to meet other wine lovers. Just remember that the number of glasses and the length of the tasting depend on the option you book.

Key points at a glance

• Four or seven wines: Choose a standard tasting for a shorter introduction, or a top tasting for a broader flight.
• A central Como setting: Enoteca Capitan Drake is on the street near the old city walls, with no transport included.
• Sommelier-led guidance: English or Italian hosts explain the wines, their grapes, and the places they come from.
• Food is part of the experience: Pair the wine with cured meats and cheeses, or request a vegetarian dish.
• Small-group and private choices: A smaller group offers more room for questions, while a private top tasting gives you exclusive use of the shop.
• Adults only: You must be at least 18, and the tasting is not suitable for pregnant people or those with food allergies.

Arriving at Enoteca Capitan Drake near Como’s old walls

The setting is easy to understand. Look for the Enoteca Wine shop directly on the street, a few meters from Como’s old city walls. You will need to make your own way there, since transportation to and from the shop is not included.

This location works well before dinner or after a walk through Como’s historic center. The tasting lasts about 1.5 to 2 hours, so it is long enough to feel like an occasion without taking up your whole afternoon. Check the available starting times when you book, then allow a little time to find the shop and arrive relaxed.

There is no formal sightseeing stop built into the experience. The old walls provide the setting, but the focus quickly turns indoors to the enoteca, its bottles, and the table laid out for tasting. Wear comfortable shoes and clothes. You are not hiking, but a relaxed outfit suits the casual wine-shop atmosphere better than anything formal.

The first lesson: how the shop chooses its wines

A useful part of the experience comes before the glasses are filled. The sommelier introduces the history of the wine shop and explains something about its selection. That gives the tasting a local base instead of making it feel like a random set of bottles pulled from a shelf.

The wines are chosen to represent different vines and territories. You may taste Italian wines alongside bottles from other parts of the world, depending on the option and the selection available. The point is not simply to identify red, white, or sparkling wine. You are guided toward the differences created by grape variety, place, and style.

This is where a sommelier-led tasting earns its keep. If you are new to wine, you can ask basic questions without feeling out of place. If you already know a little, you can use the tasting to compare styles and regions. English and Italian are available, and the experience suits a mixed-language group.

The personal touch matters. Sandu received especially warm praise for her friendliness, enthusiasm, and ability to keep the conversation moving. That kind of host can make a technical subject feel social rather than academic. Still, the exact host may vary, so you should not assume Sandu will lead every session.

Four wines or seven: choosing the right tasting

Your main decision is between the standard tasting and the top tasting. The standard option includes four wines. The top option includes seven, giving you more variety and more time to compare what you are drinking.

I would choose four wines if you want a compact introduction, have other plans afterward, or are not used to drinking several different wines in one sitting. Four glasses can still show clear contrasts without making the experience feel like a study session.

Seven wines suit anyone who wants a fuller look at the shop’s range. You have more chances to find a bottle you like, and the greater variety gives the sommelier more room to discuss different grapes and territories. The tradeoff is simple: seven pours take more time and may feel like too much if you mainly want a taste before dinner.

The exact number of glasses and the length of the tasting vary by the option selected. Read the booking choice carefully rather than assuming every $59 reservation includes seven wines. If you want exclusive use of the shop, select the private top tasting, which offers a more controlled setting for your group.

Cured meats, cheeses, and the vegetarian option

The food pairing is more than a small snack beside the wine. The experience includes a selection of cold cuts and cheeses, or a vegetarian dish if you request one. This gives you something substantial to eat while you taste, and it shows how food changes the way wine comes across.

Cured meats can bring out the fruit or spice in a wine, while cheese may soften sharper flavors. You do not need to know the rules in advance. The sommelier can help you notice the difference between tasting a wine on its own and tasting it with food.

One particularly positive account described charcuterie prepared on site, along with a good selection of cheeses and cold cuts. Another praised the combination of wines, meats, and cheeses. Portions and exact dishes are not specified, so do not treat this as a full lunch or dinner.

Vegetarian diners can request a vegetarian dish. Make that request ahead of time rather than waiting until you arrive. People with food allergies should not book this activity, as it is listed as unsuitable for anyone with food allergies.

Additional food and drinks are not included. If you want more than the included pairing, you will need to pay separately, and the supplied information does not specify the cost.

The social side of a small-group tasting

This is not a silent wine lecture. The small-group format encourages conversation, and the experience can become as much about meeting people at the table as it is about the bottles. One account described a friendly group that enjoyed tasting together and getting to know one another.

That social element is useful for solo visitors and couples who want more interaction during a city break. It is less ideal if you want a quiet, private tasting but do not choose the private option. The group size is described as small, although no exact maximum is provided.

The mood also depends on the sommelier. A warm host can make the evening feel generous and relaxed. Sandu was praised for combining clear explanations with an easy, friendly manner, and one account described the overall setting as lovely and fun.

For a special occasion, the private top tasting is the safer choice. You receive exclusive use of the wine shop, which gives your group more privacy and may make it easier to ask questions or set your own pace. The private option is also the best fit for a family group of adults, a birthday, or a gathering of friends who already enjoy wine.

Is $59 a fair price?

At $59 per person, this is not a bargain bar stop. You are paying for more than four or seven tastes. The price covers a sommelier, a structured explanation of the shop’s wines, and food pairing with cured meats, cheeses, or a vegetarian dish.

The value is strongest if you choose the seven-wine option, enjoy asking questions, and treat the tasting as a planned activity. It can also be worthwhile if you are curious about Italian wine but do not want to commit to buying several bottles without guidance.

The value is weaker if you only want a quick drink or if your main goal is a large meal. Additional food and drinks cost extra, transportation is not included, and the standard tasting may feel brief for the price if the wine selection does not match your taste.

There is also a small question of service consistency. One recent participant felt that previously opened bottles and the overall experience did not justify the cost. That criticism is worth keeping in mind, even though other accounts praised the wine range, the generous pours, the food, and the sommelier. If bottle freshness and presentation matter greatly to you, ask questions when you arrive and keep your expectations realistic for a shop-based tasting.

What makes the wine selection worthwhile

The best reason to book is the chance to taste beyond the familiar. One participant was surprised by how many wines they had never encountered before. That is a useful sign for curious drinkers who want to go beyond the usual Italian names found on restaurant menus.

The tasting focuses on wines that represent particular vines and territories. This gives you a better way to compare bottles than simply ordering one glass at dinner. You can ask what makes each wine different, which food suits it, and which bottle might be worth buying later.

At least one participant enjoyed the selection enough to arrange delivery of a six-bottle case to the United Kingdom after the tasting. That option is not described as part of the standard package, so treat it as a possible purchase arranged separately rather than an included benefit.

You do not need to leave with a case of wine to get value from the experience. A good tasting can help you identify what you do and do not like, which is useful when you later shop in Como or order wine at home.

Who should book this Como tasting?

I would recommend it to adults who enjoy food, want a guided introduction to wine, and have 1.5 to 2 hours available. It works especially well for:

• Couples looking for a relaxed activity before dinner
• Solo visitors who like meeting people at a shared table
• Wine beginners who want clear guidance without a formal classroom
• Wine fans interested in lesser-known Italian and international bottles
• Small groups celebrating a special occasion
• Vegetarian diners who request the suitable dish in advance

I would skip it if you are pregnant, under 18, have food allergies, or do not drink wine. I would also skip it if you want a large meal, a vineyard visit, or a full-day excursion outside Como. This takes place in an enoteca, not among the vines.

The experience is wheelchair accessible, which makes the shop-based format easier for many visitors than a rural winery visit. Smoking is not allowed. Bring an ID card, and a copy is accepted.

Booking, cancellation, and practical advice

A reservation is required. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option lets you keep your plans flexible.

When booking, pay attention to three details: the number of wines, the tasting type, and the food choice. The private top tasting is not the same experience as joining a small shared group, and the vegetarian dish must be requested.

I would book the seven-wine option only if you genuinely want a longer tasting. For a lighter schedule, four wines with food are enough to make the activity worthwhile. If you are visiting Como in a group, compare the private option with the shared one. Exclusive use may cost more, but it gives you a better setting for a celebration and removes some of the uncertainty of a mixed group.

Should you book Enoteca Capitan Drake?

Book this if you want a friendly, central, sommelier-led tasting with real food and a chance to discover unfamiliar wines. The strongest parts are the host-led conversation, the range of bottles, the cold cuts and cheeses, and the small-group atmosphere.

Choose the standard tasting for a shorter introduction, or pay for the top tasting if variety matters more than time. I would reserve the private option for a special occasion. If $59 feels high for a tasting, make sure your chosen package includes enough wine and food to match your expectations. For the right drinker, this is a pleasant and practical way to spend part of an evening in Como.

FAQ

Where does the wine tasting take place?

It takes place at Enoteca Capitan Drake, an enoteca located a few meters from Como’s old city walls. Look for the wine shop directly on the street.

How long does the tasting last?

The experience lasts about 1.5 to 2 hours. The exact duration depends on the tasting option selected.

How many wines are included?

You can choose a tasting with four or seven wines. The number of glasses varies according to the option you book.

What food is served with the wine?

The tasting includes cured meats and cheeses, or a vegetarian dish if selected or requested.

Is a vegetarian option available?

Yes. A vegetarian dish is available upon request, so ask for it when making your reservation.

Is the tasting available in English?

Yes. The host or greeter can provide the experience in English or Italian.

Can I book a private tasting?

Yes. The private top tasting gives your group exclusive use of the wine shop.

Is the experience suitable for children?

No. It is not suitable for children under 18.

Can I cancel my reservation?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later.