Spec’sology Blog - Pairings

“Shall we retire to the study for cigars and brandy?” You’ve heard this before in a movie and they always make it sound so relaxing, but what happens if you have no idea what you’re doing when it comes to pairing a cigar with a fine spirit? Well, you either get it wrong and everyone notices, or you get it right and everyone notices. Either way, people are going to find out whether you know what you’re doing or not and, depending on the company, judge you accordingly. So, instead of fumbling around in the smoke-filled dark, why don’t we

Lobster, the most decadent of crustacea, has been delighting humans since 1984. Ok, more likely since humans first discovered them dwelling below the surface of the ocean. Timelines aside, lobster is ridiculously tasty! Always has been, always will be. But did you know there are different kinds of lobster? As a general rule, if it has front claws it’s a cold-water lobster. If it has no front claws and five appendages, it’s a warm-water lobster. Types of Lobster There are four types of warm water lobster and 2 types of cold-water lobster. Warm water lobsters, also called rock lobster or

It’s still prime grilling season (outside of the occasional tropical depression) and that coupled with Oktoberfest means lots of flame-kissed meats! Whether you’re serving dogs in buns, sausage links or bigger cuts, a good mustard is something you should absolutely have at hand. So, is there a “better” mustard for certain things? What makes them different? It’s time to take a quick bite into this centuries old condiment. Mustard is a mix of mustard seeds and liquid that’s ground into a paste of various textures. The differences in mustards are the types of seeds (yellow, brown or black) and liquids

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

“When most people are introduced to the idea of “sour beer” they often assume something has gone wrong with the liquid. But, most of those same people are surprised and delighted with their first sip or a sour beer. The acidity comes across in a very citric, lemon way that, coupled with the carbonation and chill of the liquid, makes for a perfect hot weather thirst quencher.” The idea of beer as a flavor doesn’t usually shout a noticeable acidity, but historically most beer had a pronounced tartness shortly after the end of the brewing process. The world around us

The delicious hamburger is an American staple invented by Fletcher Davis of Athens, Texas, in the 1880s. Of course, Fletcher’s claim is one of many in a long list of hamburger inventors, but he’s from Texas, so that’s what we’re going with. Regardless of where it may have been created, the reason for its staying power is rather simple – it’s delicious. But why? It’s just meat, bread, and cheese at its most basic, right? Well, there’s actually a scientific name for what makes them so good and it’s called the “Maillard Reaction.” This reaction is a process that caramelizes

Fun Fact: The word spaghetti is plural for the Italian word spaghetto, which is a diminutive of spago, meaning “thin string” or “twine.” The best part about spaghetti is the variety of pasta dishes you can make. With each dish there’s a different wine that pairs perfectly. Check out our recommendations below and get ready for some serious noodling on date night! Red or Tomato-based Sauces Tomato-based sauces include fresh tomato with basil: pairs well with crisp dry whites such as Pinot Grigio or Verdicchio. Cooked tomato sauces such as Napolitano or marinara: pair with Montepulciano d’Abruzzo or a light

As far as meringue-based sweets go, the macaron stands out as a triumph of culinary achievement. Not to be confused with the similarly spelled macaroon, a coconut-based cookie, the macaron is made with egg white, icing sugar, granulated sugar, almond powder, and food coloring. It’s typically presented as a sandwich cookie with a buttercream, jam, or ganache filling. Macarons are available in a variety of flavors. These light in weight, but heavy in sugar, cookies pair wonderfully with wine. The key is to not let one overpower the other in sweetness by balancing out the dominating taste of the wine.

While you don’t need an excuse to celebrate mom, Mother’s Day is a great reason to host brunch and lavish well-deserved praise upon your mom. As we all know, brunch is the perfect reason to raise a glass before noon. Sure, you could serve up a regular old mimosa, but is that really worthy of the woman who spent hours in labor and then years raising you? We didn’t think so either, and that’s why we’ve put together a list of fabulous wines that pair wonderfully with mom’s love. 1. La Crema Pinot Noir If there’s a perfect Mother’s Day

Everybody has margaritas on the mind this week as Cinco de Mayo is finally here! If you’re throwing a party you’ve probably got more than margaritas on your mind like food and drinks, besides margaritas, that pair with that food. Well, no need to worry your pretty little cabeza about it because we’re here to help! We’ve put together a list of common Mexican dishes and the beverages you should pair them with. This way you can stop stressing about hosting the perfect party and go back to having margaritas on the mind. You’re welcome. What better way to start

While we’re not entirely sure where all these National fill in the blank Day ideas come from, we certainly can’t hold it against the creators as it gives us a reason to get back on the kitchen and wow some palates! In case you lost your “National Day of” calendar, April 29th is National Shrimp Scampi Day! We can’t think of a better way to spend a day than by indulging in shrimp and garlic. When you’ve got shrimp and garlic on the mind, your next thought should be wine. But which one goes with shrimp scampi? Thankfully, these delicious