Wine

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
Paul Dolan Organic Wines at Spec's Wines, Spirits & Finer Foods

Paul Dolan Organic Vineyards

Spec’sology Blog, Wine
The farming at Paul Dolan Vineyards is 100% organic and is done without the use of pesticides, herbicides or synthetic fertilizers. By treating the soil as a living, life-giving organism and nature as their guide, Paul Dolan crafts organic wines of character and purity. “After tasting the real difference between organic and conventionally farmed grapes, side by side in a sun-drenched vineyard in 1987, my entire way of thinking about grape growing changed. The organic grapes were expressive, in... Read More
Our Favorite Chianti Wines - Spec's Wines, Spirits & Finer Foods

Chianti Up: Getting Acquainted with A Tuscan Classic

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 nowadays 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 “C... Read More
Wine Cocktails - Spec's Wines, Spirits & Finer Foods

How to Make a Wow-Worthy Wine Cocktail

Spec’sology Blog, Drink Recipes, Wine
A key component to any satisfying summer is wine. Red, white, rosé, sparkling, box, bottle or can – summer is all about that wine! Wine is especially great when you can use it to whip up a refreshing cocktail, and that’s exactly what we’re going to show you how to do.Sure, you’ve probably had a spritzer and a sangria, so we’re going to give you a how-to on some rather unique wine cocktails that you’re sure to love!Star GazerIngredients2 oz. chardonnay1 oz. dark rum½ oz. vanilla... 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
Chardonnay Wines at Spec's Wines, Spirits & Finer Foods

Chardonnay Wines

Spec’sology Blog, Wine
Chardonnay is the number one white wine in the world. There are several reasons for this including the fact that the Chardonnay is a relatively low-maintenance vine that adapts to a wide variety of climates which results in high yields around the world. So, you can choose from the millions of bottles produced annually and get good one for $15 while also spending ten times as much for an elegant one. It’s the 5th most planted grape varietal in the world with over 30 different clones of Chardonn... Read More
Summer Wine Storage - Spec's Wines, Spirits & Finer Foods

Summer Wine Storage

Spec’sology Blog, Wine
Whether you’ve got 5 bottles or 5 cases, knowing some wine storage basics will help keep your wines in good health during the hot summer months. Assuming you don’t have a personal wine cellar under your home, there are some easy tips to keep your wine fresh until you’re ready to indulge.First of all, we’re not talking about long-term wine storage as only a small percentage of fine wines on the market benefit from long-term aging. We’re more interested in keeping them drinkable for a fe... Read More
Rosé Day - Spec's Wines, Spirits & Finer Foods

Rosé for the Day

Spec’sology Blog, Wine
Hooray, National Rosé Day! National Rosé Day is on June 13th this year and June is the perfect time to sip and celebrate this refreshing wine.Some facts about rosé:The pink shade of rosé wine depends on the amount of time the grape skins were in contact with the juice, also known as maceration. Rosé may be the oldest known type of wine, believed to have been created around 7000 BC with red and white wines coming a few thousand years later.Rosé is best consumed within 2-3 years of its ... Read More
Moscato Food Pairings - Spec's Wines, Spirits & Finer Foods

Meals for Moscato – Moscato Pairings

Spec’sology Blog, Pairings, Wine
Moscato, famous for its sweetness, is made from one of the oldest wine grapes in the world – Muscat Blanc.Typical Moscato flavors include: Meyer Lemon, Mandarin Orange, Pear, Orange Blossom, and Honeysuckle.But did you know that there are 5 types of Moscato wine?Sparkling & Semi – Sparkling Moscato – the most common typeStill Moscato – made with Muscat Blanc grapes but also other Muscat varieties, like Muscat of Alexandria.Pink Moscato – made with mostly Muscat ... Read More
Tv/Movie & Drink Pairings - Spec's Wines, Spirits & Finer Foods

Sip & Stream Week 6

Spec’sology Blog, Drink Recipes, Pairings, Spirits, Wine
We’d like to take a moment to raise a glass to you for doing your part to keep everyone safe! 6 weeks of social distancing and/or isolation is no easy feat so, thank you. This week we’ve got a rowdy Philly bar series, a classy (and a bit rowdy) NYC ad agency, and a Star Wars movie! So grab your shaker and a seat, and let’s kick this off!It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia • Hulu“Always Sunny”, as fans call it, follows “The Gang,” the owners of the unsuccessful Paddy’... Read More
Sip & Stream - TV, Movie & Drink Pairings - Spec's Wines, Spirits & Finer Foods

Sip & Stream Week 5

Spec’sology Blog, Drink Recipes, Pairings, Spirits, Wine
We hope week 5 in our Sip & Stream series finds you well! This week we’re bringing back some old favorites and a new classic that’s sure to pass plenty of time. Downton Abbey • Amazon PrimeA six-season period drama that focuses on the lives of the Crawleys, the aristocratic family who lives in Downton Abbey. The series takes as its starting point actual historical events, including the sinking of the Titanic, and the assassination of Archduke Ferdinand, then filters them through the ch... Read More
Tv/Movie & Drink Pairings - Spec's Wines, Spirits & Finer Foods

Sip & Stream – Week Two

Spec’sology Blog, Drink Recipes, Pairings, Spirits, Wine
Just when you thought you’d exhausted all possibilities for entertainment and started considering wallpapering the ceiling as a good use of your time – Spec’s is here to help you raise a glass and sit on your…couch. In case you missed week 1, Spec’s will be serving up streaming content recommendations paired with a beverage that matches the entertainment’s theme. So, without further ado, let’s get into week 2’s picks!The Stranger • NetflixBased on Harlan Coben’s novel... Read More