Spec’sology Blog

Malbec wines are known for their exotic flavor, deep purple color, and for being the quintessential big red. They’re made from a dark variety of grapes that are tricky to mature properly without the topography of a valley and an equatorial climate. Malbec wines require a lot of sunlight and high elevation spots, making them not as common as other red wines in the west. That’s why most Malbecs are sourced from South America and Southern parts of Europe. The Malbec grape originates from France but found its full potential in the outskirts of Mendoza, a major Argentine city just

Throwing a cocktail party at home is a great opportunity to ensure your bar is fully stocked with everything you’ll need to keep the good times flowing! From spirits and mixers to liquors and syrups, we’ve put it all together for you and even thrown in some recipes! Tools You can usually find a bartender tool set that has most of what you need, but there are a few staples you should never skimp on. Like a shaker for mixing drinks, a strainer for pouring them, a jigger for measuring ingredients, a muddler for crushing fruits and herbs, a stirring

Mardi Gras is all about overindulgence, in fact, the name itself is French for Fat Tuesday. It takes place the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday and is a celebration of all the rich food and drinking excessiveness before the leaner days of Lent begin. The most famous Mardi Gras celebration in America takes place in New Orleans, home to some of the richest food and an abundance of alcohol in the US. Check out some of our favorite Fat Tuesday tipples to put the party in your mardi and laissez les bon temps rouler! (Let the good times roll!) Sazerac Cocktail

A lot of time is spent crafting the perfect wine pairing for Valentine’s Day dinner, and for good reason as the right wine can take an average meal to a whole new level. But what about before the meal? A wine and cheese appetizer is an excellent way to set the mood for a classy evening. As purveyors of fine wines and gourmet cheese, we might have some ideas to help get you started! Wine & Cheese Pairings Moscato D’Asti + Gorgonzola Funkier cheeses call for a sweeter wine, and the fresh, acidic fruit of a Moscato d’Asti cleans your

The martini is a timeless classic. It never falls out of fashion as it is fashion. And there’s never a shortage of Bond films to remind us of its cool factor as well as to pique the interest of younger generations. Numerous theories on the cocktail’s origins exist, as do numerous versions and recipes. From gin or vodka to fruity or savory, the martini is a jack of all trades. Although, attaching “tini” to the end of a cocktail usually just means it’s served in a v-shaped glass, often called a martini glass, and has almost nothing to do with

Whether it’s a New Year’s resolution or Dry January, lots of folks are trying to lighten up for the new year. So, we’ve put together some of our low calorie and low to no alcohol favorites that’ll having you raising a glass to another glass! Barefoot Pinot Grigio 91 calories per 4 oz serving, 0g sugar, 3.1g carb, 12.5% ABV A crisp and light-bodied wine that goes down smoothly Aroma: Tropical fruits, citrus peels, and a charming floral accent Palate: Tart green apple notes and a peach undertone Leitz Eins Zwei Zero Sparkling Riesling 100 calories per 4 oz serving,

They say everything is bigger in Texas, and nowadays that goes for liquor too! The Lone Star state has become a hotspot for up-and-coming spirits as well as the base of operations for several established Texas liquor brands. We’ll be taking a look at some of these and introducing you to a few new ones you may not have heard of yet. Best Texas Liquors Tito’s Handmade Vodka If you haven’t heard of Tito’s, you must have just gotten here so, Welcome to Texas! Tito’s Handmade Vodka is produced in Austin at Texas’ oldest legal distillery. They make it in

It’s time for Dry January and we’ve got some super tasty mocktails to help get you through it in style! Gone are the days of simply excluding alcohol to make a virgin cocktail. Nowadays, mocktails have basically started a whole new category of delicious drinks with their own unique ingredients. So, whether it’s a substitution, a variation, or a standalone sipper, we’ve got you covered with some mouthwatering favorites for Dry January! Salted Watermelon Juice Ingredients Makes about 4 cups 6 cups cubed watermelon (from ¾ of a 6-lb. baby seedless watermelon) ¾ tsp. kosher salt Lime wedges (for serving;

There’s really no better party than celebrating the end of the year with family and friends! To ensure you get the most out of your ball dropping bash, we’ve put together some tips to make it as easy, beautiful, and delicious as possible! Decorating Sparkles over Flowers. Skip all floral arrangements and the gorgeous centerpiece, and instead fill glass hurricanes or vases with foil horns, silver balls, confetti and even NYE tiaras. Glitz and glamor are the order of the day! If you have a sequined runner now is the time to use it on your table! If you don’t

Every year we offer up dozens and dozens of cocktails for you to try and every year you have your favorites. And, after compiling all the data and utilizing a couple of highly classified quantum calculations that analyze the gravitational pull of smiles per sip, we’re proud to announce this year’s top four cocktails! So, grab a glass and enjoy a round of our 2022 Cocktail Roundup! Melted Witch Ingredients 1 ½ oz Hendrick’s Lunar Gin ¾ oz Blue Curacao Liqueur 1 ½ oz pineapple juice 1 ½ oz orange juice Directions Make your witch broomstick by shredding the end

You have to make a list before you can check it twice! Thankfully, we’ve put together a list of great gifts that’ll have your recipients praising your glorious gift for gifting. All you have to do is check it twice. Homemade Maple Pecan Pie made with Crown Royal It’s everything you love about pie with a subtle kick of everything you love about bourbon. The infusion of Crown Royal Maple Bourbon highlights the seasonal flavors in every slice of sticky sweet perfection! But you’ll want to hurry in and get yours soon as they’re only available for a limited time!

The best time of year is upon us - Holiday Season! What’s better than family, friends, and a bounty of bubbly?! Whether you’re celebrating Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah, New Year’s Eve or even just a couple of days off work, ‘tis the season for some celebratory sparkles in your glass! Of course, with this comes the issue of finding a good bottle of Champagne or sparkling wine that’ll impress both you and your guests. Well fret no more for Spec’s has narrowed it down to 4! We’ve got two Champagnes and two sparkling wines that are sure to impress even the