We just spent 4 days and 3 nights in Lake Como, somewhere that has been on my bucket list (and the whole world’s bucket list) for so many years. It truly was a dream, filled with relaxing at beach clubs, hiring our own boat, exploring the towns of Bellagio and Menaggio, and ferry hopping.
But one of our favourite activities was a surprising one that flew under the radar: a wine tasting with food pairing in a quaint wine bar in Como. We did this on our last night and honestly, it blew us away. We booked through Slow Travel Italia a couple of weeks before our trip. It was the final night of our 12-day Italy adventure and the perfect way to end it.
Read on to discover why this wine tasting was one of our favourite and most unique experiences of the trip!
Arrival & First Impressions of Enoteca Fuori Dal Comune
We received our ticket one day before with all the information we needed. We arrived at the cozy wine bar, Enoteca Fuori Dal Comune, at 6 PM ready for our tasting. It was centrally located in Como, just a 10-minute walk from our accommodation (and a 10 minute walk away from the lake)!
Once we got to the wine shop, we were warmly greeted by the owner, Tony. The boutique space was set up with several tables prepared for tastings. The shop itself was super cute and very authentic, with wall to wall wine bottles available for purchase. There was a large group doing their own, and then there was the two of us. We had our own table and, although the wine tasting was technically a group tour, we were so happy to find that we had a private table and experience. It felt like the perfect mix of a group atmosphere with the intimacy of a one-on-one tasting.
How to Wine Taste (a Beginners Guide)
Tony explained that we would be sampling four different wines, each paired with a different food dish (make in-house)!. We would start with a Prosecco, then move on to a white wine, a rosé, and finish with a red wine. Since we admitted we didn’t know much about wine, the owner kindly said he would explain everything in detail but at a beginner’s level for us — which was such a nice gesture!
Tony walked us through the proper way to taste wine and the difference between sparkling and still wines like red and white. If, like me, you had no idea where to start, here’s a quick summary that made it all click.
When tasting sparkling wine, the bubbles are the star. You don’t need to swirl the glass much because the fizz naturally lifts the aromas. Take a gentle sip and let it tingle on your tongue. Sparkling wine often feels crisp, refreshing, and light, with flavors like green apple, citrus, or floral notes. The texture and bubbles are a big part of what makes it so enjoyable.
Tasting red or white wine is a little different. These are called still wines because they have no bubbles. For these, you usually swirl the glass to release the aromas, take a deep sniff, then sip slowly and let it coat your mouth.
White wines are often lighter, with flavors like peach, lemon, or herbs. Red wines tend to be richer and bolder, with notes like berries, spices, or earthy tones. Red also has tannins, which give you that slightly dry feeling on your tongue.
In short, sparkling wine is all about freshness and fizz. Red and white wines focus more on depth, texture, and aroma. Each one has its own vibe, and learning how to taste them makes the whole experience much more fun.
The Perfect Glass
I also wanted to mention something else I found interesting. I had always wondered why different wines are served in different glasses. Our prosecco was served in a tulip glass, the white and rosé in two different types of white wine glasses, and the red in a wider, shallow glass. This is because each glass shape helps highlight the unique aromas and flavors of the wine – the tulip glass preserves the bubbles and directs the aromas, while the wider red wine glass allows the wine to breathe and enhances its bold flavors. It was super interesting to see how much the right glass can improve the tasting experience.
Our Wine & Food Pairings
We kicked things off with a Prosecco Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG Extra Dry “Il Soller.” This sparkling wine comes from the Veneto region of northeastern Italy. After following the wine tasting steps (and with some guidance from Tony), I could definitely tell that it was fruity with a strong fragrance of apple. The wine had a full, aromatic, and elegant flavor. This was paired with focaccia topped with salami, tomato, and mozzarella. While I may be a beginner at wine tasting, anyone could tell these two paired beautifully together. The acidity and spice of the salami and tomato were perfectly balanced by the Prosecco. This was one of my favorite wine & pairings of the evening!
Up next, we moved onto a Velenosi BIO Passerina Marche IGT. This was a crisp organic white wine from Italy’s Marche region. It was light and floral with a clean, savoury finish that wasn’t too fruity. This was paired with a beautiful tomato and zucchini focaccia, which was light but full of flavor. For all the tastings, Tony bought out a book with information on the wine and the region, which was super helpful. I loved this wine!
We tried the “Roselario” Rosato IGT Terre Lariane, a rosé grown near Lake Como. The wine was fresh and elegant with a light, smooth texture, making it perfect for a hot afternoon. It was paired with a delicious panzerotti filled with tomato, basil, and cheese. This dish was richer than focaccia and unbelievably tasty. Another thing I loved was that the food portions were generous yet just the right size for a perfect bite.
Last but not least, we ended our tasting with the Primitivo Salento Rosa del Golfo, which was full-bodied on the palate but light on the finish. What truly stole the show during this course, though, was the food pairing! We enjoyed a huge charcuterie platter overflowing with stunning local produce: a couple of different regional cheeses, mortadella, salami, prosciutto, artichokes, olive oil, and focaccia. Everything was delicious and made for the perfect end to our tasting.
Final Thoughts
This tasting was honestly one of the absolute highlights of our trip. Tony and his lovely family were so welcoming, knowledgeable, and genuinely generous with their time and passion. We learned so much about wine in such a relaxed and approachable way and even total beginners will walk out feeling like they know what they’re doing. The food was honestly one of the standout moments of the evening. Everything was so fresh and thoughtfully paired, it really took the experience to the next level. If you’re heading to Lake Como and want to do something a little different (but seriously memorable), book this tasting. You can book online through Slow Travel Italia here.
