Como: Wine Tasting Experience with Cheese and Cold Cuts

In Como, this wine tasting works because it is equal parts wine education and real food pairing. You sit down at Enoteca Capitan Drake, right near the old city walls, and go through a guided tasting of Italian bottles plus a few from elsewhere.

I really like the choice of tasting size, 4 wines for a lighter session or 7 wines if you want a deeper comparison. I also love that the sommelier talk stays practical, the kind of guidance that helps you notice differences between vines and territories, and in at least one experience, the guide Sandu brings serious energy without making it feel stiff.

One consideration: quality can vary. One account said the wine came from previously opened bottles, and that made the value feel poor. If you are picky about fresh pours, go with the expectation that you are paying for guidance and pairing too, not just one perfect glass after another.

Key things I’d focus on before you go

• 4 or 7 wines, your call so you can match the tasting to your time and comfort level
• Sommelier-led guidance that explains what you are smelling and tasting, not just what the label says
• Cheese and cold cuts pairing that keeps pace with the wine instead of turning into an afterthought
• Vegetarian option available if you request it ahead of time
• Small group feel which usually makes questions and conversation easier
• Private top tasting if you want the wine shop more or less to yourselves

Como wine tasting at Enoteca Capitan Drake, why it’s such a good fit

The location is part of the appeal. You meet at the Enoteca Capitan Drake wine shop on the street, just a few meters from Como’s old city walls. That matters because you can blend it into an afternoon or early evening without a complicated plan.

The format also makes sense. You are not doing a quick sip-and-go. It is a sit-down tasting with a sommelier who guides you through the glass, then feeds you something to react to. In my book, that is the real secret of tasting, food is a built-in “reset” for your palate. It helps you taste more clearly, instead of just chasing flavors that blur together.

Also, the shop angle is smart. You get to learn about the wine shop’s history and how the selection is built. That turns the tasting into more than a checklist of grapes.

Picking 4 wines vs 7 wines (and what the top options change)

This experience comes in tasting sizes: either 4 fine wines or 7 fine wines. If you want the simplest path, choose 4 wines. You get enough variety to understand the basic style differences, and you will still leave feeling like you learned something, not like you survived a marathon.

If you really want to compare, go for 7 wines. That extra number pushes you to notice patterns, like how a similar style can shift depending on territory, or how acidity and tannins behave when you eat cured meats and cheese.

There is also a “top tasting” option, and for an even more exclusive setup, you can reserve the wine shop for a private top tasting. That is best if you are celebrating, bringing a small group, or just want a calmer room where the sommelier can focus on your pace.

Practical tip: if you are deciding between 4 and 7 wines, be honest about how much you like comparing wines. If you prefer to savor fewer choices, 4 is your friend. If you enjoy talking through differences and taking notes, 7 will feel rewarding.

How the sommelier guides your tasting, and why it matters

This is not a self-guided wine flight. An expert sommelier leads you, and you taste wines representative of different vines and territories. The guidance tends to do two useful things.

First, it helps you taste with intention. Instead of randomly saying it is fruity or dry, you start connecting what you sense to why it might taste that way. You learn the basics of reading the glass, from aroma to structure, and that makes your next wine purchase at home much easier.

Second, the sommelier talk gives the tasting a storyline. You also learn about the history of the wine shop and its selection. That background helps you understand why you are tasting these bottles, not just those that happen to be on hand.

From the experiences shared, the tone can be warm and fun. One guide, Sandu, stood out for friendliness and enthusiasm. That energy is not just nice. It makes it easier to ask questions when you genuinely do not know what you are tasting.

Food pairing in Como, why the cold cuts and cheese are more than filler

The pairing is a big deal here because the menu is built around what wine needs. You pair the wines with a selection of cold cuts and cheeses. You also have a vegetarian dish option if you request it.

Here is how you can get more out of the pairing, without turning it into a complicated project:

• Start with a small bite, then taste the wine.
• Don’t worry if the first pairing surprises you. That is normal.
• Between wines, use the cheese or cured meat to reset your palate, then pay attention to what changes in the next glass.

Why it works in real terms: cured meats tend to have salty, savory flavors that can amplify fruit notes. Cheese adds fat and texture that softens harsh edges, so you can focus on the wine’s structure instead of only noticing bitterness or sharpness.

One more point: this tour is not suitable for people with food allergies based on the provided info. If you have a serious allergy, treat that as a hard stop. If you are vegetarian only and not dealing with allergies, request the vegetarian dish option.

What you actually do during the 1.5 to 2 hour session

The total time is 1.5 to 2 hours, and the exact flow can shift a bit depending on whether you choose 4 or 7 wines. Still, it follows a clear rhythm.

You begin at the shop, settle in, and get a quick introduction. That is where the sommelier usually frames what you will taste and why those wines are included. Then the pours start, glass by glass.

As you move through the tasting, you are not just drinking. You are comparing. You learn to notice differences tied to vine and territory, and you get prompts that help you name what you are sensing.

At some point during the tasting, the food pairing comes in. The key is timing: pairing is meant to happen alongside the wines, so you can react rather than wait until the end. The cured meats and cheeses are meant to complement the wine, and the experience keeps you fed enough to taste comfortably.

A final note on pacing: because you may taste up to 7 wines, you will want to take your time with each glass. If you try to rush through everything, you miss what makes the tasting valuable.

Price in Como, does $59 per person make sense?

At $59 per person, you are paying for more than the liquid in the glass. You are paying for the structure: a sommelier guide, tastings of multiple wines, and a pairing of cold cuts and cheeses or a vegetarian dish.

Value depends on your priorities:

• If you want wine education plus food pairing in one stop, the price can feel fair. You get a guided experience and a built-in plan for a couple of hours in Como.
• If you expect a high-end tasting where every pour is flawless and served from never-opened bottles, then you might feel the cost more sharply if anything feels off. One account mentioned wines from bottles previously opened, and that kind of detail can change how expensive the experience feels.

My practical take: treat it as a learning-and-tasting session, not a luxury-only drinking spree. If you show up ready to ask questions and enjoy the pairing, you are likely to feel like you got your money’s worth.

Who should book this, and who should skip it

This works particularly well for:

• Couples or small groups who want a calm activity in Como that is easy to plan
• People who enjoy comparing wines, especially Italian wines tied to specific vines and regions
• Anyone who likes food pairing, cured meats, cheeses, or a planned vegetarian dish

It may not be the best fit if:

• You need a strict allergy-safe experience, since it is not suitable for people with food allergies per the provided info
• You are traveling with children under 18 or you are pregnant, since it is not suitable for those groups based on the provided info
• You are the type who wants zero learning talk and only wants to taste blindly

Good to know: the experience is wheelchair accessible, and it offers small group availability. Languages include English and Italian, which is helpful if you want the explanation in your comfort zone.

Should you book the Como wine tasting at Enoteca Capitan Drake?

If you want a structured wine experience in Como that includes real food pairing, I’d say book it. The big reasons are the choice of 4 or 7 wines, the sommelier-led guidance, and the fact that you eat alongside the tasting instead of after.

Choose the 4-wine option if you want a relaxed, less intense session. Choose 7 wines if you like comparisons and want more variety in the glasses. If you prefer privacy or you are planning a special moment, look at the private top tasting option.

Only weigh a booking carefully if you are very sensitive to how wine is poured and served. If bottle freshness is a deal breaker for you, ask questions up front when you reserve.

Overall, this is a solid value way to learn wine while enjoying Como at a human scale, one thoughtful pour at a time.

FAQ

How long is the wine tasting experience in Como?

The tasting lasts about 1.5 to 2 hours, depending on the option you choose and how many wines are included.

How many wines will I taste?

You can choose between a tasting of 4 wines or a top tasting of 7 wines.

What food is included with the wine tasting?

Your wines are paired with either a selection of cold cuts and cheeses, or a vegetarian dish if you choose that option.

Do I need a reservation?

Yes, reservation is required.

What languages are available for the guide?

The host or greeter offers English and Italian.

Is the experience suitable for people with allergies or for children?

No. It is not suitable for people with food allergies, and it is also not suitable for children under 18 or for pregnant women.