Spec’sology Blog - Finer Foods

Thanksgiving has always been a holiday rooted in gratitude, family, and tradition. But as tastes evolve and hosting becomes an art form of its own, the Thanksgiving table is transforming into something far more dynamic. Today’s celebrations blend the warmth of tradition with the sophistication of modern entertaining — where each pour, plate, and pairing is chosen with intention. At Spec’s, we celebrate that evolution. Whether you’re a seasoned host who relishes a perfectly paired wine flight or someone curating their first Friendsgiving, the key is balance — nostalgia meets innovation, comfort meets creativity. This year, your Thanksgiving doesn’t have

It’s the time of year that we’d like to take a moment and send our love and appreciation to some of our favorite brands and products of 2022! So, without further ado… Branson Cognac Owned by award-winning musician, entrepreneur, actor and producer Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson, Branson Cognac represents a bespoke, exclusive and unique Cognac that showcases the highest quality of Cognac being made from the best vineyards in every bottle. Maker's Mark Private Select Beginning as fully matured Maker's Mark at cask strength, Private Selection is created by adding 10 custom wood finishing staves to each barrel. It's then

Ever been equal parts hungry and lazy? So much so that you just end up stuffing some meat and cheese in your face and moving on? Whether you knew it or not, you just dined on a charcuterie plate. Albeit a less fancy one than you’ll find in local restaurants, but we’re about to change all that! First things first, it’s pronounced shar-cute-uh-ree. You’re welcome. What Is Charcuterie? The word charcuterie comes from the French and literally means cooked cold meats. A charcuterie board consists of cured meats and pâtés paired with cheeses, seasonal fruits, flavorful jams, something pickled, a

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

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

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

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

Build Your Own March Madness Hosting Platters When you’re hosting a march madness watch party the last thing you want to do is spend all your time in the kitchen trying to feed all your guests. On the other hand, you don’t want to spend hundreds of dollars ordering enough food for everyone, hoping they pay you back. Thankfully, there is another option that takes very little time and costs significantly less than ordering out - DIY party platters! With the right ingredients (that don’t require cooking) and strategic plating, a party platter will appear far from simple to guests

In honor of Oktoberfest starting at the end of the month, and also in honor of the perfect Austria dish, the wiener schnitzel, we’ll be pairing up beers with your bites! But first, some background! What Is Schnitzel? Schnitzel is a cooking method. Pounding a piece of meat to tenderness and then lightly coating it in a flour, egg, and breadcrumb mixture before quickly pan-frying the whole thing is called “schnitzel.” Food historians debate the true origins of the method, but Austrians have claimed it as their own, making the dish something of a national treasure. Schnitzel can be found

The simple pleasure of a grilled cheese is one of the most magical joys in life. We all know how the salty, fatty goodness that is melted cheese can make you stop, drop, and drool should you get even a tiny whiff. And we all know wine and cheese are basically the most perfect match ever created, but when was the last time you sat down with a homemade grilled cheese and poured yourself a glass of your favorite wine? There’s just something about the buttery, toasted bread, the rich, melty cheese, and the delicious variety of flavorful ingredients you

Ahh summertime, the season of getting out and getting down! Whether you’re heading to a pool party, a day by the lake, or throwing a bash at your place, odds are there’s going to be food – and not just any food, but fancy summer favorites. And while we typically think beer or wine when the grill is fired up, a refreshing cocktail may be just what you need to set your summer fun apart from the masses. From delightful pairings to grilled ingredients and frozen poptails, we’ve got you covered for summer fun like sunscreen at the beach! Limoncello