Spec’sology Blog

The Best Texas Wineries - Spec's Wines, Spirits & Finer Foods

Best Texas Wineries

Spec’sology Blog, Wine
In case you needed another excuse to visit the Texas Hill Country, there are now even more award-winning Texas wineries to visit! There are more than 400 wineries in Texas which makes us the 5th largest wine producing state in the nation. The Lone Star State is home to eight American Viticultural Areas ranging from the North-Central Region, to the South-Eastern Region, and the Trans-Pecos Region. Below you’ll find some of our favorite wineries in Texas that’ll have you raising a glass to the... Read More
Highly Rated Texas Wine - Spec's Wines, Spirits & Finer Foods

Highly Rated Texas Wines

Spec’sology Blog, Wine
New wineries, incubators, and promising grape varieties are fueling a golden age of Texas wines. Currently, Texas has over 500 wineries and vineyards making it the third-largest American Viticultural Area in the country as well as the fifth-largest wine-producing state.But if you’re expecting Napa-style wines, we’ve got some news for you. Our short and extremely warm growing season constitutes an earlier harvest traditionally vs. regions like Napa. This means Texas wine won’t typically hav... Read More
Orange Wine 101 - Spec's Wines, Spirits & Finer Foods

Everything You Wanted To Know About Orange Wine

Spec’sology Blog, Wine

What Is Orange Wine?
Contrary to the name, orange wine is not wine made from oranges or some sort of citrus wine cocktail. It’s a type of white wine made by leaving the grape skins and seeds in contact with the juice, creating a deep orange-hued finished product.

To make orange wine, whole white grapes are crushed and then macerated (left to sit) with their skins and stems for as little as one week and up to one year – essentially making white wine in the same manner as red wine. Eve... Read More

Classic Coffee Cocktails - Spec's Wines, Spirits & Finer Foods

Classic Coffee Cocktails

Spec’sology Blog, Drink Recipes

The best thing about coffee is that you can mix it in throughout your entire day. And with a coffee cocktail, you can power up your evening with an extra kick of caffeine to keep you going strong! Plus, it’s delicious.

Check out some of our favorite ways to enjoy coffee as a cocktail! Some drinks use brewed coffee, others use coffee liqueur like Kahlua. Whatever the case, if you love coffee, you’re going to love these cocktails!

 
Espresso Martini
Ingredients

2 ounces vodka... Read More

history of horchata

What is Horchata? History Of This Great Mexican Cocktail

Spec’sology Blog, Drink Recipes, Spirits
Horchata is a beloved beverage with a rich history, a drink whose origins are deeply rooted in ancient traditions, and over time, it has evolved into various regional variations enjoyed worldwide. In today’s blog, we’ll explore the fascinating history of horchata, from its early beginnings to its place in contemporary cuisine.What is Horchata?Horchata is a sweet, milky drink made from various plant-based ingredients. Here are a few common types:Mexican Horchata: The most well-known in the Un... Read More
Top 7 German Beers for Oktoberfest - Spec's

Top 7 German Beers For Oktoberfest

Spec’sology Blog, Beer
We all know what Oktoberfest is and which country it takes place in, but what are the best German Oktoberfest beers? And do we know why it even occurs in the first place? Sure, Germany makes some world-class beers, but which ones are the best to celebrate with? And what is 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 stuff... Read More
Essential American Whiskey Cocktails - Spec's

Essential American Whiskey Cocktails

Spec’sology Blog, Drink Recipes, Spirits

It may be hard to hear, much less comprehend, but not everyone is a fan of sipping straight whiskey. Personal preference aside, there will come a time when even a diehard whiskey purist must admit a whiskey cocktail is what’s called for. It could be you end up hosting a gathering where not everyone drinks straight spirits. It could be one of those lovely 104 degrees days in Texas. Or you might have ended up with a bottle of something you don’t particularly care for on its own. This is when k... Read More

Best Chiantis For Every Budget - Spec's Wines, Spirits & Finer Foods

The Best Chiantis For Every Budget

Spec’sology Blog, Wine

Chianti, pronounced “kee-on-tee”, is a red wine blend from the Chianti region of Tuscany, Italy, made primarily with Sangiovese grapes. You used to see it in a squat bottle wrapped in straw, but now days most producers use standard bottles and have left the straw off completely.

The history of Chianti dates back to at least the 13th century with the earliest incarnations of Chianti as a white wine. Over the years, Chianti has evolved into the red blend you see today.

The first known &#... Read More

Top Imported Beers - Spec's Wines, Spirits & Finer Foods

Top Imported Beers

Entertain

America is undoubtedly home to a wild variety of beers, from double IPAs to coffee barrel-aged imperial stouts, but that doesn’t mean you have to restrict your brews to the 50 states! The rest of the world also makes beer. In fact, numerous countries have been brewing up suds centuries before America was founded, so they might know a thing or two about crafting an excellent beer.

Checkout our six favorites from around the globe and crack open an ice-cold can of culture!

 

 
... Read More

Texas Craft Breweries to Visit - Spec's Wines, Spirits & Finer Foods

5 Texas Craft Breweries to Visit This Summer

Spec’sology Blog, Beer

Is it really summer without a road trip to some Texas breweries? The answer is no. So, if you’ve never made a day of hitting the taps across Texas, you’ll want to check out some excellent breweries listed below and start plotting your course to Lonestar refreshment!
Spoetzl Brewery – Shiner, Texas
Located in Shiner, Texas it’s the oldest independent brewery in the state. They produce a diverse line of Shiner beers with the most popular being Shiner Bock. They also have a wonderful ... Read More

Evolution of The Whiskey Sour - Spec's Wines, Spirits & Finer Foods

The Evolution of The Whiskey Sour

Spec’sology Blog, Drink Recipes, Spirits

First appearing in Jerry Thomas’ The Bartender’s Guide in 1862, the Whiskey Sour had been around decades earlier as a way to combat scurvy in sailors. Ships would stock up on citrus fruits on shore while the sailors brought liquors like rum or whiskey on board, so they had something safe to drink during months at sea. The citrus (typically lemon) was mixed with a liquor and water to create a drink that would not only quench thirst, but also effectively prevent the onset of scurvy.

Sailors... Read More

Italian Wine Cocktails

4 Simple Italian Wine Cocktails

Spec’sology Blog, Drink Recipes, Wine

How do you make happy hour even better? Simple, you just turn your glass of wine into a cocktail! It’s easier than it sounds and requires zero mystical powers (a plus for us muggles).

We’ll be focusing on Italian wine cocktails, but feel free to do some experimenting based on the recipes below!

 
Lambrusco Sangria
Ingredients

1 ounce brandy
1 ounce Tuscan Sangiovese wine
¾ ounce blood orange juice
½ ounce Cherry Heering
¼ ounce Pierre Ferrand Dry Curaçao
... Read More