Spec's

Owned and operated by the same Houston family since 1962, Spec’s is a true destination shopping experience. We now operate over 150 stores all over the great state of Texas and offer a large selection of wines, spirits and finer foods.
Best Pinot Noirs Under $30 - Spec's Wines, Spirits & Finer Foods

Best Pinot Noirs Under $30

Spec’sology Blog, Wine
Pinot Noir is one of the world’s most popular red wines. It’s made from black-skinned grapes that thrive in a narrow spectrum of cooler climates. It’s also notoriously difficult to grow. When done right, it produces lighter-bodied wines of elegance, complexity and longevity. They also pair wonderfully with almost everything you’ll have on your Thanksgiving table! Now let’s get to raising the bar on raising a glass with a collection of excellent Pinot Noirs that won’t brea... Read More
Best Scotches Under $100 - Spec's Wines, Spirits & Finer Foods

Best Scotches Under $100

Spec’sology Blog, Spirits
It’s Scotch Month at Spec’s and we’re celebrating in style! But first, a quick summary of what scotch is and a couple of different types. What Is Scotch? So, what needs to be in a Scotch in order to be able to call it Scotch? It must be produced, bottled, and distilled in Scotland. Must be based on barley and water and must be aged in casks for at least three years. Whole grains and other cereal can be added to the malted barley mash in order to produce different flavor varieties. Probably... Read More
Must-Try Halloween Cocktails of 2022

Must-Try Halloween Cocktails of 2022

Spec’sology Blog, Drink Recipes, Entertain
For some people, Halloween brings out their inner decorating monster, others get super creative with costumes, and then there are the creepy cocktail connoisseurs! These mixologists of mayhem are the ones who fuel the fun for all their fellow ghouls, and without them we’d just be adults dressed like children standing around someone’s yard. So, in order to get the most out of your Halloween hootenanny, check out this list of devilishly delicious cocktail recipes sure to keep your spirits rais... Read More
Best Sakes Under $30 - Spec's Wines, Spirits & Finer Foods

Best Saké Under $30

Spec’sology Blog, Spirits
When you think about saké you probably think about Japan and rice, and you’d be correct on both counts. Saké, the oldest known spirit in the world, is often incorrectly referred to as rice wine. Rice wine, like Western wine with grapes, is made from the fermentation of rice. While saké is indeed made from rice, it goes through a brewing process where starch is converted to alcohol much like how beer is brewed, although the ABV is substantially higher than either beer or wine. Wine typically... Read More
The Best Texas Wineries - Spec's Wines, Spirits & Finer Foods

Best Texas Wineries

Spec’sology Blog, Wine
In case you needed another excuse to visit the Texas Hill Country, there are now even more award-winning Texas wineries to visit! There are more than 400 wineries in Texas which makes us the 5th largest wine producing state in the nation. The Lone Star State is home to eight American Viticultural Areas ranging from the North-Central Region, to the South-Eastern Region, and the Trans-Pecos Region. Below you’ll find some of our favorite wineries in Texas that’ll have you raising a glass to the... Read More
Highly Rated Texas Wine - Spec's Wines, Spirits & Finer Foods

Highly Rated Texas Wines

Spec’sology Blog, Wine
New wineries, incubators, and promising grape varieties are fueling a golden age of Texas wines. Currently, Texas has over 500 wineries and vineyards making it the third-largest American Viticultural Area in the country as well as the fifth-largest wine-producing state.But if you’re expecting Napa-style wines, we’ve got some news for you. Our short and extremely warm growing season constitutes an earlier harvest traditionally vs. regions like Napa. This means Texas wine won’t typically hav... Read More
Orange Wine 101 - Spec's Wines, Spirits & Finer Foods

Everything You Wanted To Know About Orange Wine

Spec’sology Blog, Wine

What Is Orange Wine?
Contrary to the name, orange wine is not wine made from oranges or some sort of citrus wine cocktail. It’s a type of white wine made by leaving the grape skins and seeds in contact with the juice, creating a deep orange-hued finished product.

To make orange wine, whole white grapes are crushed and then macerated (left to sit) with their skins and stems for as little as one week and up to one year – essentially making white wine in the same manner as red wine. Eve... Read More

Classic Coffee Cocktails - Spec's Wines, Spirits & Finer Foods

Classic Coffee Cocktails

Spec’sology Blog, Drink Recipes

The best thing about coffee is that you can mix it in throughout your entire day. And with a coffee cocktail, you can power up your evening with an extra kick of caffeine to keep you going strong! Plus, it’s delicious.

Check out some of our favorite ways to enjoy coffee as a cocktail! Some drinks use brewed coffee, others use coffee liqueur like Kahlua. Whatever the case, if you love coffee, you’re going to love these cocktails!

 
Espresso Martini
Ingredients

2 ounces vodka... Read More

history of horchata

What is Horchata? History Of This Great Mexican Cocktail

Spec’sology Blog, Drink Recipes, Spirits
Horchata is a beloved beverage with a rich history, a drink whose origins are deeply rooted in ancient traditions, and over time, it has evolved into various regional variations enjoyed worldwide. In today’s blog, we’ll explore the fascinating history of horchata, from its early beginnings to its place in contemporary cuisine.What is Horchata?Horchata is a sweet, milky drink made from various plant-based ingredients. Here are a few common types:Mexican Horchata: The most well-known in the Un... Read More
Top 7 German Beers for Oktoberfest - Spec's

Top 7 German Beers For Oktoberfest

Spec’sology Blog, Beer
We all know what Oktoberfest is and which country it takes place in, but what are the best German Oktoberfest beers? And do we know why it even occurs in the first place? Sure, Germany makes some world-class beers, but which ones are the best to celebrate with? And what is the reason for the season? Turns out, this beer bash was born out of another party; a wedding party to be precise. Back in 1810, the crown prince of Bavaria, who later became King Louis I, opted to turn the traditionally stuff... Read More
Essential American Whiskey Cocktails - Spec's

Essential American Whiskey Cocktails

Spec’sology Blog, Drink Recipes, Spirits

It may be hard to hear, much less comprehend, but not everyone is a fan of sipping straight whiskey. Personal preference aside, there will come a time when even a diehard whiskey purist must admit a whiskey cocktail is what’s called for. It could be you end up hosting a gathering where not everyone drinks straight spirits. It could be one of those lovely 104 degrees days in Texas. Or you might have ended up with a bottle of something you don’t particularly care for on its own. This is when k... Read More

Best Chiantis For Every Budget - Spec's Wines, Spirits & Finer Foods

The Best Chiantis For Every Budget

Spec’sology Blog, Wine

Chianti, pronounced “kee-on-tee”, is a red wine blend from the Chianti region of Tuscany, Italy, made primarily with Sangiovese grapes. You used to see it in a squat bottle wrapped in straw, but now days most producers use standard bottles and have left the straw off completely.

The history of Chianti dates back to at least the 13th century with the earliest incarnations of Chianti as a white wine. Over the years, Chianti has evolved into the red blend you see today.

The first known &#... Read More