Oyster Tastings
LADY OYSTER
"There are as many ways to love oysters as there are people who love them." - M.F.K. Fisher
TASTE!
IT'S TIME TO
Briny, sweet, mineral, vegetal… Get ready for your tastebuds to travel!
Akin to a sommelier-led wine tasting, an oyster tasting is a guided tour through nature, labor, time, and flavor.
Virginia is an Oyster Master Guild Certified™ Oyster Ambassador who partners with select venues along the MidCoast to host oyster tastings.
THE FORMAT
Virginia provides expert guidance across:
✓ Aquaculture practices
✓ Drink and accoutrement pairings
✓ The ecology of Maine’s estuaries and bays
✓ Indigenous heritage
✓ Modern tasting etiquette
✓ How to identify oyster aromas, flavors, mouthfeel, and finish
Over the course of an hour, you’ll learn to seek out the subtle nuances of Maine waters, enjoy personal stories and anecdotes about the farmers, and have the opportunity to mix and match delicious pairings!
Each person receives a Oyster Master Guild tasting wheel, a tasting notes booklet, a MidCoast map, and a special gift!
Host
WHERE I
Virginia conducts oyster tastings at Oysthers in Bath, Maine, and in West Point, ME on the docks and at the bar of an old general store. Both locations offer waterfront vistas and unique opportunites to experience Maine.
Virginia is also mobile! She works with restaurant and Inn partners and always looking to increase her venue partnerships.
WHAT'S INCLUDED?
✓ Expert-led tasting experience
✓ 1/2 dozen oysters per person
✓ 2 drink pairings per person
✓ A selection of accoutrements
✓ A take-home oyster tasting journal, map, tasting wheel, and special gift
Suitable for ages 21+
60-minute duration
$99 / Per Person
Virginia Shaffer
MEET YOUR AMBASSADOR
Virginia Shaffer is a food writer and Oyster Master Guild Certified™️ Oyster Ambassador who has written and studied oysters for over 7 years. She holds a B.A. in International Studies and a certificate in Gastronomic Tourism by Le Cordon Bleu in France. Virginia has led oyster appreciation nights at prestigious venues like the National Arts Club in Gramercy Park, NY.
Virginia’s oyster tastings guide guests through Maine’s bountiful rivers and bays. From farm stories to tasting profiles, she serves as an enthusiastic representative of Maine’s aquaculture community.
TASTING LOCATION
47 WALLACE CIRCLE
PHIPPSBURG, MAINE
04562
UNITED STATES