Champagne and freshly shucked oysters symbolize the upper echelon of modern gourmet culture. But they’re really best pals on your palate because each sip and slurp is firmly rooted in sensation — be it effervescent bubbles or creamy flesh o’ mollusk — as much as flavor.
Corks n’ Crowns offers an exploration of this experience in its Funk Zone tasting room on Friday, November 21, at its second annual Champagne & Oysters event. From 5 to 8 p.m., The Jolly Oyster from Ventura will serve just-cracked oysters and three specially designed mignonette sauces alongside six sparklers from across the globe.
“They are extremely knowledgeable about oysters and are shucking them really amazingly quickly,” said Corks n’ Crowns manager Madeleine Smith. “The sauces are awesome, and they are made to match perfectly with the wines.” This year, those bubblies will be an Austrian grüner veltliner sekt, a pale pink crémant from Languedoc, the Iron Horse Wedding Cuvée from the Russian River, and three Taittingers, plus another two Taitts (including the $230-a-bottle Comtes de Champagne) for an additional $15. All can be purchased for up to 30 percent off during the event’s presale opportunity. “And we don’t skimp you,” said Smith, adding that each attendee gets about two full glasses once done and is able to buy more by the glass or bottle, too. She was happy to see people dress up last year (though it’s not necessary) and is excited to give away a couple magnums, including a Taittinger, during a raffle that comes with the $40 ticket price.
It’s also a good time to get to know Corks n’ Crowns, which functions as a tasting room and beer/wine bar with a very engaged wine club. “We feature boutique, craft, and hard-to-find wines from all over the place, from the Central Coast to New Zealand,” said Smith, and there are always five-wine flights and three-beer flights, plus three beers on tap (including an upcoming appearance by Great Divide’s Oak Aged Yeti Imperial Stout — one of the best beers ever) and cupcake pairings on Sunday.
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Corks n’ Crowns’ second annual Champagne & Oysters tasting is Friday, November 21, 5-8 p.m. at 32 Anacapa Street. Call (805) 845-8600 or visit corksandcrowns.com.