Okay ladies there’s nothing more liberating than being able to shuck your own oyster and open a nice bottle of wine or champagne to accompany that tasty bivalve. Not to mention, this is something that every Southern Lady should know how to do for any occasion. Long thought to be viewed as something only a man could do, women are showing that we too can open the essentials for having a good time.
Your significant other will be impressed by your awesome skills! And of course, for all you men who may need some brushing up on your oyster shucking technique, here are the following videos to do just that.
First up, let’s get those libations flowing. This will get you loosened up for the main event – shucking that succulent oyster. May we suggest the following wines, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Vidal Blanc, Petit Manseng, or a Grüner Veltliner.
For opening that bottle of wine, you’re probably familiar with the Rabbit, the Butterfly, and even some electric corkscrews to name a few. For me, only the Double-Hinge Corkscrew will do as pictured below. This non-intimidating mechanism is what’s used in the restaurant scene. It’s easy to use and very cost effective. Say goodbye to those $100 contraptions. This is your new best friend for getting saucy or sauced, however you see fit.
The following video shows step by step on how to open a bottle of wine with the Double-Hinge Corkscrew.
In the Hild household sparkling wine or champagne is not regulated to just special occasions. We are firm believers that a little sparkling bubbly can be imbibed at any time. I encourage you to do the same, who’s to say when you should or shouldn’t be “drinking the stars” as Dom Perignon once quoted. And just a little trivia for you, the term champagne can only be used for grapes that have been grown in the Champagne region of France. Everything else is really classified as a sparkling wine.
My favorite champagne is Veuve Clicquot, preferably the rose champagne. While I’m praising the ultimate girl’s best friend, I suggest that you read The Widow Clicquot: The Story of a Champagne Empire and the Woman Who Ruled It written by Tilar J. Mazzeo. Barbe-Nicole Clicquot Ponsardin was notably one of the world’s first businesswomen in a predominantly male-dominated industry.
The following video shows how to successfully open a bottle of champagne.
Now that you’ve had your first glass of vino or champagne, you’re ready to shuck that oyster. You will need a shucking glove and a good shucking knife. If you’re in need of either one, visit our online store for purchase. The only advice I can give is take it slow and don’t rush it. The oyster will eventually open, as long as you put enough muscle behind that knife.
And if all else fails, let others do the work for you. Remember we are part of Virginia’s first ever Oyster Wine Tour. Visit New Kent Winery and Saude Creek Vineyards for a wine tasting and end your day with an oyster tour and tasting at our farm. We’re more than happy to open those precious bivalves for you and offer any tips on opening that shell. For more information on this tour go to our Visits to the Farm page.
The following video on shucking an oyster can be seen on our FAQ page if you’re ever in need of reviewing this video again.
So let loose and have some fun with your girlfriends. Women drinking champagne and eating oysters is the equivalent to men sipping their brandy and smoking cigars. Everyone has their vice, why not kick it up a notch and make sure you know how to open the essentials.
