In Como, when you’re looking for a different kind of night out, there’s an event that puts laughter first: *An Idiot’s Guide to Wine* is a live stand-up comedy show that guides you through a tasting of five different wines. The wine is definitely there, but it’s the punchlines that set the pace: about 70 minutes of entertainment without any fancy sommelier jargon and without a hint of pretension.
The starting point is the most honest tasting note there is: “It’s red and tastes like grapes.” No one questions you and no one judges you: you laugh heartily, drink in good company, and—almost without realizing it—discover fascinating facts about what’s in your glass.
5 February 2027 18:30 + more dates
il Birrificio di Como
What is *An Idiot’s Guide to Wine*?
*An Idiot’s Guide to Wine* is a live show lasting about 70 minutes in which a stand-up comedian takes the mic and guides you through a tasting of five wines, weaving together hilarious monologues, banter with the audience, and real stories from the world of wine.
The tone is spontaneous, lively, and self-deprecating: humor serves to break down barriers and make even the concepts that usually intimidate non-experts seem simple. No prior knowledge is needed: you can laugh, ask questions out loud, and admit what you don’t know without ever feeling corrected or judged.
Stand-up comedy and wine: what you need to know
Wine often has a reputation for being the preserve of connoisseurs, yet tasting is first and foremost about using your five senses through simple actions: looking, swirling, smelling, sipping, and savoring. Science also proves there’s no reason to take yourself too seriously: in 2001, a famous experiment by researcher Frédéric Brochet revealed that several oenology students described a white wine dyed red using the typical vocabulary of red wines.
It’s precisely this balance between humor and expertise that gives the show its structure: the format was created by Australian Merrick Watts, a comedian who is also a wine competition judge with a Level 3 certification from the Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET). The jokes are grounded in reality, but the atmosphere in Como remains informal and relaxed—ideal both for those looking for their first wine tasting as beginners and for a carefree evening with friends (the event is reserved for adults in accordance with local laws on alcohol consumption and the venue’s rules).
5 February 2027 18:30 + more dates
il Birrificio di Como
An Idiot’s Guide to Wine: Reviews and First Impressions
Before its debut in Como, the show has already garnered enthusiasm and applause on its international tour, winning over both audiences and industry critics alike. Here are some of the reviews left by audience members who’ve already experienced it:
“We had a lovely time! The host was incredibly knowledgeable and the wine selection was great.” – Rosie H., Liverpool
“We had a wonderful evening! The host was incredibly knowledgeable, and the wine selection was excellent.”
“A unique and, above all, entertaining experience. We went in with high expectations, and honestly, we left with a smile we’ll never forget. A different way to learn about wine and have a good laugh. 10 out of 10” – Oscar D., Madrid
“A unique and, above all, fun experience. We had high expectations and left with big smiles. A different way to learn about wines and have a good laugh. I give it a 10 out of 10.”
“Watts manages to blend his self-proclaimed status as an idiot with his wine education, and the result is an entertaining 70 minutes… you’ll likely come away tipsy, with a bit of wine knowledge and a smile on your face.” – Theatre Now
“Watts manages to blend his self-deprecating humor as a ‘self-proclaimed idiot’ with his genuine knowledge of wine, and the result is 70 hilarious minutes: you’ll leave slightly tipsy, with a few more wine facts under your belt and a smile plastered on your face.”
In the end, it’s an evening where wine comes down from its pedestal and returns to being a simple pleasure: after all, as a famous quote attributed to Alexander Fleming goes, “Penicillin cures, but wine makes you happy.” Tickets for *An Idiot’s Guide to Wine* in Como are already on sale: pick a date, bring whoever you want, and feel free to leave your need to seem like an expert at home.
5 February 2027 18:30 + more dates
il Birrificio di Como
