Pairings

Best Drink Pairings for Irish Food - Spec's Wines, Spirits & Finer Foods

Best Drink Pairings for Irish Food

Spec’sology Blog, Holidays, Pairings
Instead of writing this in an Irish accent with references to leprechauns and green beer, we’re going to throw a little Irish culture at you. And by culture, we mean food. Not many of us stateside are familiar with traditional Irish fare, and assume corned beef and cabbage is a favorite on the dinner tables of Ireland. Unfortunately, this is not the case. Corned beef and cabbage actually comes from the early days of Irish immigrants in America, not Ireland itself. So, we’re going to focus on... Read More
Valentine's Day Wine & Cheese Pairings - Spec's Wines, Spirits & Finer Foods

Valentine’s Day Wine & Cheese Pairings

Spec’sology Blog, Holidays, Pairings
A lot of time is spent crafting the perfect wine pairing for Valentine’s Day dinner, and for good reason as the right wine can take an average meal to a whole new level. But what about before the meal? A wine and cheese appetizer is an excellent way to set the mood for a classy evening. As purveyors of fine wines and gourmet cheese, we might have some ideas to help get you started! Wine & Cheese Pairings Moscato D’Asti + Gorgonzola Funkier cheeses call for a sweeter wine, and the fresh, ... Read More
Whiskey & Cigar Pairings - Spec's Wines, Spirits & Finer Foods

Whiskey & Cigar Pairings

Spec’sology Blog, Pairings, Spirits
Pairing a cigar with a tumbler of whiskey can be a delightful experience…as long as you pair the right cigar with the right bourbon. There are a few key things to keep in mind when pairing tobacco and alcohol, but the main thing is to enjoy yourself! The keys to a good pairing You want your cigar and alcohol flavors to be opposing flavors that balance each other and enhance each profile. You don’t want to pair similar flavors/notes together, as it can wash out the flavor profile and become ... Read More
Turkey & Wine Pairings - Spec's Wines, Spirits & Finer Foods

Turkey And Wine Pairings

Spec’sology Blog, Finer Foods, Holidays, Pairings, Wine
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 ... Read More
Fondue & Wine Pairings - Spec's Wines, Spirits & Finer Foods

Fondue and Wine Pairings

Spec’sology Blog, Pairings, Wine
It’s a fact: cheese is the ultimate comfort food. You can make any dish substantially better by just sprinkling some cheese on it! Heck, putting cheese on cheese is like doubling up on amazing! And when cheese is the main ingredient, you’ve got yourself a winner! No dish does more for cheese than fondue. Fondue became popular centuries ago in Switzerland, where Gruyère, Emmental and Raclette cheeses were mixed with Kirsch (a kind of brandy distilled from the fermented juice of cherries), an... Read More
Delicious Cheese & Drink Pairings - Spec's Wines, Spirits & Finer Foods

Delicious Cheese And Drink Pairings

Spec’sology Blog, Pairings
When you think of pairing cheese with a drink, wine is usually the first to come to mind. And with good reason; cheese’s high fat content tends to coat the tongue and dampen taste receptors to beverages, but the acidity of a well-paired wine can cut through this creamy barrier and unlock flavors of both itself and the cheese. But wine isn’t the only beverage that does wonders with cheese! Join us on National Cheese Lover’s Day as we explore some interesting cheese pairings that’ll have y... Read More
Holiday Movie & Drink Pairings - Spec's Wines, Spirits & Finer Foods

Holiday Movie & Cocktail Pairings

Spec’sology Blog, Holidays, Pairings
We’ve found that the best way to enjoy some of our favorite holiday movies is with a perfectly paired beverage! From old favorites to new classics, we hope you find a film to enjoy…and if not, these drinks are delicious no matter how you enjoy them! National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation A story of a man whose one wish for the holidays is to have the perfect Christmas. His efforts spiral into the hilarious as countless obstacles line up to impede his dream including electrical issues, feral... Read More
Thanksgiving Wine Pairings - Spec's Wines, Spirits & Finer Foods

Thanksgiving Pairings

Spec’sology Blog, Holidays, Pairings, Wine
Thanksgiving is almost here and that means the holiday stress is just starting to peak. We’re going to take care of that with some wine pairing tips you and your guests will be grateful for! Here are a few ways to go about this: One White, One Red A good and simple strategy for Thanksgiving wine is to select a very good white and a very good red, offering your guests their choice. For reds, look for soft tannins that will yield to and blend with your dishes, like Pinot Noir, Syrah, a Cabernet... Read More
Halloween & Drink Pairings - Spec's Wines, Spirits & Finer Foods

Halloween Movie Drink Pairings

Spec’sology Blog, Holidays, Pairings
There’s something perfect about curling up with your favorite ghoul pal and making yourself too terrified to leave the couch. So, this Halloween season, you’ll want to keep the bar cart within reach as you pair up one of these frightfully delicious drinks with some classic spooky films! The Shining + Redrum Ingredients 2 oz. aged rum 1 oz. fresh lemon juice 1 oz. simple syrup 1 oz. red wine 2 sticks cinnamon (and 2 for garnish) Directions Combine aged rum, lemon juice, simple syrup and tw... Read More
Takeout Pairings - Spec's Wines, Spirits & Finer Foods

Takeout Pairings

Spec’sology Blog, Pairings
2020 will be known as the summer of takeout. Restaurants across the country have been serving up their meals for takeout and if you’ve found yourself looking for a drink menu you’re not alone. Having a drink that compliments your order just makes the meal. It takes it from food in a box to…fancy food in a box? Pairing your meal with a glass of wine, the perfect beer, or a fresh cocktail elevates a takeout order to an almost restaurant quality experience at home. Checkout some of our favori... Read More
Grilling Pairings - Spec's Wines, Spirits & Finer Foods

Date Night Grilling Pairings

Spec’sology Blog, Pairings
Your backyard grill outs may not always be burgers and dogs for the masses. Sometimes grilling up dinner for two on a hot summer night is just what the doctor ordered! And just because you’re grilling doesn’t mean you have to drink beer.Checkout our collection of dishes, each paired with a cocktail, beer, and a wine, because you never know what the mood might call for.SteakA good grilled steak is rich and fatty with a lingering smokiness that demands a beverage just as big and bold. A higher... Read More
Summer Wine & Cheese Pairings - Spec's Wines, Spirits & Finer Foods

Wine & Cheese Pairings

Spec’sology Blog, Cheese, Pairings, Wine
Before we get started, the most important thing to remember for any pairing situation is to go with what you like. It doesn’t matter what anyone else says, if you enjoy it go for it!That being said, we’ve put together some general guidelines you’re totally free to ignore. If you don’t know much about cheese or wine, just remember to pair by flavor intensity – and keep in mind that age and intensity are directly related.Young fresh cheeses have a high water content and a milky and d... Read More