Robert Nist

When it comes to beverages for your Thanksgiving feast most tend to think of wine. Guests bring it as a gift, hosts serve it right back, and the world continues at its familiar pace. But is it really a feast if you know exactly what to expect? We say no, and that’s why we’ll be bringing beer! Beer is a great match for food because of the complexity of its flavors. Now more than ever before, there’s synergy between the beer and food worlds. With the number of breweries in the U.S. just cros... Read More

November 8th is the day to whip up a dish filled with flavors that pack a punch! Think garlic, hot peppers, and something bold! We encourage you to cook something you normally wouldn’t, and prepare your delectably bold entree with a fine wine. Explore these bold recipes and wine suggestions from our wine and deli experts. Spicy Warm Blue Cheese Dip Pairing wine with blue cheese can be a bit daunting because of the bold flavors. Blue cheese has a very deep and distinct flavor that pairs with an... Read More

When it comes to choosing what kind of wine you want to wash down your Thanksgiving Day feast with, the amount of options can be overwhelming. But the reality is, when you’re face down in a pile of gravy soaked everything, the subtle nuance of a high-priced Beaujolais perfectly complimenting Aunt Ruth’s cranberry sauce is likely to go unnoticed. Just like the vast assortment of food piled on your plate, variety is the key to your turkey day wine spread. Some basic rules make it difficult to ... Read More

Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is truly a celebration of life. The History of Dia de los Muertos Celebrating The Day of the Dead has a long history in Mexican Tradition. The Day of the Dead is celebrated on November 2nd. You may hear references to “the Days of the Dead” which refers to the days of October 31 – November 2. November first is “el Día de los innnocentes” or the Day of the Children / All Saint Day. November second is “el Día de los Muertos” the Day of the ... Read More

For some people, Halloween brings out their inner decorating monster, others get super creative with costumes, and then there’s 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 hootnanny, check out this list of devilishly delicious cocktail recipes sure to light up the night! Dri... Read More

When it comes to pairing wine with pasta, the first thing to remember is that you’re going to ignore the pasta and focus on the sauce. Think of pasta as the canvas that holds all the accompanying ingredients together. All the flavor comes from the sauce – spicy tomato-based sauces, hearty red meat sauces, indulgent cheese sauces, silky cream sauces, simple garlic and oil – plus whatever tasty addons you want like grilled chicken, seafood, or veggies, just to name a few. Pasta’s versatili... Read More

The beauty of a gin & tonic is its simplicity. The classic gin and tonic cocktail was introduced to the world in the 18th century by the army of the British East India Company in India, almost by accident, as they added gin to their daily intake of quinine-based tonic water to make the elixir more palatable. Tonic water was taken at this time as preventative for the dreaded malaria. And so, the humble gin and tonic was created. Now, almost two centuries later, it’s still one of the most po... Read More

You know how we love our spirited holidays here at Spec’s. Tuesday October 16th is National Liqueur Day. In order to properly celebrate, we’d like to teach you a little about liqueurs first. Many people confuse liqueurs with liquors; however, there is a very distinct difference. Many consider liqueurs to be living in the shadows of their older, and more sophisticated, parents: liquor. The truth is that without liqueurs we wouldn’t have some of the most famous cocktails that everyone knows ... Read More

To many people, the best part of any meal is the grand finale—dessert! Here at Spec’s, we believe that food shouldn’t hog the entire spotlight. With these outstanding dessert wine recommendations, your sweet tooth is sure to be more than satiated. This short list varies from dry to sweet and they are all exceptional. Celebrate National Dessert Day with an exceptional glass of wine. 1. Merryvale Antigua Muscat Strikingly golden in color from its long and deliberate aging in French oak, thi... Read More

The state of Louisiana has contributed so much culinary culture to the world. One of the most popular dishes to come out of the Cajun state is gumbo. In fact, National Gumbo Day is celebrated on October 12th. Its most common drink to pair gumbo with is beer, but there are many satisfying wine pairings that’ll add a touch of class to your Nawlins-style dinner. Explore our recommended wine pairings for gumbos made with seafood, chicken, or extra spice. Seafood Gumbos You would think that the typ... Read More