Spec’sology Blog

When you think winter, you tend to think of cozying up by a fire, enjoying seasonal dishes, and big bold wines. And while many of us equate “big bold wines” with reds, that’s not always the case. A good winter wine has a warming quality to it that pairs wonderfully with cold weather, and they aren’t all reds. We’ve put together some of our top cold weather bottles, both red and white, that may not be on your winter wine list, but definitely should be. Zinfandel With its big, spicy, and jammy flavors, Zinfandel stands up to hearty, warming foods,

Pairing wine with Thanksgiving turkey doesn’t have to be a stress-inducing struggle every year. Instead of trying to find the perfect wine for a large bird with a variety of flavors, we suggest you curate a selection that can be applied to specific parts or enjoyed with the entire meal. For a nice balance to your selections aim for lighter reds and heavier whites. But the best suggestion for wine pairings is to choose something you enjoy! Checkout our top 5 turkey and wine pairings and get ready to be thankful! Sparkling A light sparkling white is an excellent way

Thanksgiving is all about overindulging. And while you’ve got dinner pairings planned, you may not have thought about having a couple of casual cocktails on hand for before, after, or even during the meal. Not everyone wants to drink wine or beer all day, so having some refreshing seasonal cocktails to offer will definitely make you the host with the most…or if you’re looking to be the guest with the best, consider rolling up with the fixings needed for one of these delicious drinks. Cherry Sage Smash Ingredients 2 oz. Woodford Reserve Bourbon 4 brandied cherries ½ oz. of cherry

The perfect Thanksgiving is also the perfect gameday. You’ve already got friends and family gathered together, amazing food, and plenty of beverages for all! But if your game starts before you eat, you might want to have some easy snacks and cocktails on hand to keep everyone happy until dinner. Checkout some of our favorite recipes for easy sips and snacks. Drinks Old Fashioned Cowboy Ingredients 2 parts Maker’s Mark Bourbon 2 dashes Angostura Aromatic Bitters 1 teaspoon raw cane sugar Orange peel Directions Dissolve or muddle sugar with bitters and a splash of Maker’s in an Old Fashioned glass.

Not all alcohol belongs in a glass. These boozy desserts are the perfect way to wrap up your Thanksgiving dinner! Spec’s Maple Pecan Pie made with Crown Royal Whisky The directions for this delicious pie come with a couple of options: you can drive to your neighborhood Spec’s and buy it in person, you can order online and choose in-store or curbside pick-up, or you can order online and have it delivered! Then you simply dispose of the packaging, sprinkle a little flour around the kitchen, and claim it as your own creation! No matter how you present it, this

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! Finding the right Pinot Noir for you can be deliciously challenging as Pinot Noir wine taste varies based on climate, soil, and producer style. So, we’re focusing on some highly affordable west coast Pinot Noirs that all come in under $40! Top Pinot Noir

The key to remember is that all ryes, scotches, and bourbons are types of whiskey, but not all whiskeys are ryes, scotches or bourbons. The same way all Chardonnays are white wine but not all white wines are Chardonnays. Bourbon, scotch, rye and the like are different types of whiskey that come from different regions and share different taste properties. What Makes A Scotch, A 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

Halloween parties require three things to be successful – costumes, drinks, and guests. Below you’ll find some of our favorite ideas for throwing the perfect Halloween party! Halloween Party Themes Themes are an easy way to ensure guests come dressed as they don’t have to spend days agonizing over which costume to wear. It also allows you to quickly gather decorations as you’ve established a theme and aren’t just wandering around the store aimlessly picking things. GHOST Everybody dresses as a ghost. This can be from a sheet with holes to a full-on latex application. The decor is haunted, and

Whether you’re hosting a Halloween party or just handing out candy and don’t feel like trying to mix up a new drink in between doorbell rings, a punch bowl cocktail can be the perfect solution! From dry ice smokiness to candy garnishes, there are all kinds of ways to get your kicks with spooky sips! Check out some of our favorite recipes below and get your cauldron ready for toil and trouble! Wicked Black Forest Punch Ingredients: 15 oz. Jägermeister 5 oz. Kirschwasser 5 oz. velvet falernum 5 oz. agave syrup 5 oz. lemon juice 5 oz. passionfruit juice 5

When it comes to hosting a spooky soirée for Halloween, the last thing you want is to be stuck behind the bar making drinks all night! That’s why we put together a collection of easy-to-make Halloween cocktails that’ll have your guests impressed and you mingling with the rest. Some of these are so easy you could just leave a little card by the bar instructing your guests on how to make their own! Vampire’s Kiss Ingredients: ¼ cup pomegranate juice 1 ½ ounces Brother’s Bond Bourbon ½ ounce raspberry liquor (Chambord) juice from ½ a lemon 1 tsp. pure maple

Nothing beats getting to actually attend a Dallas Cowboys football game, but sometimes you just can’t make it, and that’s when knowing how to host a game day watch party makes all the difference! We’ve put together some of our favorite tips and ideas to ensure your gathering is low on work and high on fun! Stadium Seating Contrary to this section’s title, we aren’t encouraging you to build bleachers in your home! Rather, we want you to keep in mind how many actual seats you can fit in front of your TV. Nobody wants to be invited to a

As a Texas family-owned business, Spec’s makes a point to bring you the latest and greatest made-in-Texas items! We develop special relationships with Texas wineries, distilleries, and breweries to ensure our shelves are stocked with Texas-made items. Supporting local businesses like our own is just one of the many ways Spec’s puts Texas first! Join us on a tour of some tasty Texas towns with a collection of local favorites from across the Lone Star State. William Chris Skeleton Key Proprietors Red – Hye, TX William Chris Vineyards boast a majestically restored Dieke family farmhouse, and they offer barrel tastings,