Spec’sology Blog

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,

We all know what Oktoberfest is and which country it takes place in, but do we know why it even occurs in the first place? Sure, Germany makes some world-class beers, but is that 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 stuffy, private, nobles-only wedding celebration into a massive public festival complete with a huge agricultural fair, food vendors, and even an extravagant horse race at

As autumn arrives, bringing crisp air and seasonal change, our desires shift towards richer culinary experiences. We seek deeper flavors and wines that capture the essence of the season. This transition from light summer wines to heartier fall selections is driven by the harmonious pairing of wine, food, and the overall autumn atmosphere. In fall we’re eating roasted root vegetables, squash, wild mushrooms, game meats, hearty stews, and foods spiced with cinnamon, nutmeg, sage and thyme. The wines that shine in this season often feature oak-derived notes like vanilla, toast, baking spice; or they reflect earthiness, forest floor, dried leaves,

The History of Whiskey The history of whiskey dates back to Medieval monks in Scotland and Ireland whose monasteries, lacking the vineyards and grapes of the European continent, turned to fermenting grain mash, resulting in the first distillations of modern whisky. The Old Bushmills Distillery, the oldest licensed distillery in the world, opened in Northern Ireland in 1608, but it would take nearly 200 more years for America to put its own whiskey on the map. American Whiskey Is Born Whiskey made its way to America with the arrival of the first colonists and the encouragement of settlers to move

Tailgating can be a simple affair with a couple of six packs and some pals to share them with before the game. Or tailgating can turn the back of your truck into a grand banquet hall fit for gridiron kings! (There’s probably a middle ground here as well, something above average, but not requiring pyrotechnics or FAA clearance.) Turn your tailgate into a top shelf experience with these simple tips and ideas from your fun-loving friends at Spec’s! Eat Up your grub game with some high-quality party trays that’ll keep everyone fed and fueled for game time! Wings & Drinks

Send summer off with a delicious bang with these perfect end of summer cocktails! Blood Orange Champagne Mule Ingredients 1 ½ oz. vodka juice of ½ a medium blood orange juice of ½ a lime 4 mint leaves 2 oz. chilled ginger beer Top off with chilled champagne or prosecco Directions Add all ingredients to a glass and top off with a splash of bubbly. Grilled Watermelon Margarita Ingredients 1 oz. Cointreau 2 oz. tequila 1 oz. fresh lime juice 0.5 oz. grilled watermelon syrup 0.5 oz. fresh grapefruit juice Directions Add all ingredients to a shaker with ice. Shake