Wine

National Pi Day - Wine and Pie Pairings - Spec's Wines, Spirits & Finer Foods

Pairings As Easy As Pie

Spec’sology Blog, Pairings, Wine
New Year, New Wines and Pies!Could there be a more perfect union than wine and pie? The proper wine can turn a slice of pie into a transcendental experience. Pairing is key here as the wrong wine can overpower a sweet pie or just clash in the palate ruining both. Also, be careful with mixing lots of sugar and alcohol as there are rumors, not research, that an abundance of both can lead to quite the unpleasant hangover. But we assume you’re eating more than just pie and wine, so you should be f... Read More
Mulled Wine - Spec's Wines, Spirits & Finer Foods

National Mulled Wine Day

Spec’sology Blog, Drink Recipes, Wine
If mulled wine reminds you of Christmas in Europe, you’ve probably been to Europe during the holidays. Mulled wine has become an integral part of the winter holidays in the majority of European countries, each with their own unique take on the hot beverage.Mulled wine made its first appearance during the 2nd century at the hands of the Romans who would heat wine to protect their bodies against the cold winter.  As they traveled and conquered much of Europe, their love of mulled wine sprea... Read More
Top Winter Wines - Spec's Wines, Spirits, & Finer Foods

Best Wines to Enjoy in Winter

Spec’sology Blog, Wine
When it comes to cold weather drinking, folks usually think of hot beverages spiked with alcohol. When it comes to winter, however, it is wine’s time to shine. Unless you’re struggling to survive in a desolate tundra, a hot beverage may not be the best route for enjoying the evening. Curled up by a roaring fire, the last thing one might want is a hot drink that matches the heat pouring out of the hearth. When’s the last time you opted for a hot coco in the middle of summer? Wine, on the ot... Read More

Holiday Bordeaux 2019

Spec’sology Blog, Holidays, Wine, Wine Reviews
I tasted through a lot of Bordeaux in 2019. Not a disproportionately high amount, but Bordeaux has been on a fairly unprecedented run of quality vintages dating back to 2014, so there are a lot of great wines both currently available and coming soon to market (the 2017 and 2018 Bordeaux futures campaigns are still active).The most exciting aspect of tasting is stumbling across a wine that offers real value – a $20-$30 bottle that drinks like it should cost twice that – which surprisingly are... Read More

Spec’s Top Wines of 2019

Spec’sology Blog, Wine
We are pleased to announce Spec’s TOP WINE PICKS OF 2019! Our wine experts have traveled to Spain, Napa Valley, and everywhere in between this year tasting thousands of different wines to better serve our customers (and to enjoy some great wine too). These will be great for a Holiday gift or a dinner for two. We hope you enjoy trying these amazing wines!Blue Rock ‘Best Barrels’ Cabernet Franc 2016Alexander Valley, California The ‘Best Barrel’ program for Blue Rock is an intensive progr... Read More

Cheesy Wines: Grilled Cheese & Wine Pairings

Spec’sology Blog, Finer Foods, Pairings, Wine
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... Read More

More Joy Mojitos

Spec’sology Blog, Wine
The mojito is a classic cocktail praised for its sweet smoothness by the likes of Ernest Hemmingway and James Bond. Usually it’s best not to mess with a classic, but sometimes you find yourself oversaturated with beachy cocktails and yearning for something familiar yet different. And that’s why we’ve gathered up some tasty twists on the mojito. Some use flavored rum, fresh fruits or even a different alcohol entirely, but one thing is for certain, they’re all refreshingly delicious! So, g... Read More

Ready. Set. Prosecco!

Spec’sology Blog, Wine
Prosecco is Italy’s most famous sparkling wine. Known for its aromas and flavors of white spring flowers, citrus fruits, green apples and pears. They are balanced with lively acidity and an elegant mousse. People are often confused by the differences between Prosecco and Champagne, as they’re both sparkling wines from Europe. What Is The Difference Between Champagne & Prosecco?Champagne is only made in the Champagne region of France and is produced using Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot ... Read More

Mead Your Match: Texas Meaderies Tour

Spec’sology Blog, Wine
Mead is the oldest alcohol on Earth. Scientists have found Chinese pottery from 9,000 years ago with evidence of mead fermentation that predates both beer and wine by thousands of years. To put that into perspective, humans were just reaching the end of the Stone Age! What Is Mead?So, what exactly is mead? Simply put, mead is a fermented beverage made primarily from honey. The three basic ingredients of mead are honey, yeast, and water. It exists in its own distinct category. You may hear it ref... Read More

Beat the Heat with Summer Bordeaux

Spec’sology Blog, Wine
I was outdoors for a three-hour birthday party Saturday, and it was hot – not exactly out of the ordinary for a Houston weekend in July. It’s never a surprise when that pervasive heat continues to hang over the city through August and most of September before Fall begins.But as bad as it may have been here (the high that day was pegged right at 100°F), a record-breaking heatwave crested in France last week, with temperatures in various areas reaching up to 114°F. With large swaths of the c... Read More

Tour de Pour: Zone 3

Spec’sology Blog, Wine
Welcome to the final week of Spec’s Le Pour de France wine tour! We’re following the riders across France and giving you a rundown of the wine regions they’re in so as they’re pedaling you can be pouring glasses of regional favorites.  This week brings us into the south of France for some truly incredible wines with a rich history of production and viniculture.Languedoc-Roussillon RegionWith 300,000 hectares of vineyards covering the Languedoc-Roussillon region is France’s largest... Read More

VIVE LA FRANCE

Entertain, Wine
Bastille day might be the French National Day, but we’re happy to celebrate this historic day here in Texas! And what better way to toast to this auspicious occasion than with a bottle of French wine? We’re taking the guess work out of which label to share with friends, both local and international, for raising a glass with Liberation de Paris wines!At the heart of Liberation Wine’s production is the French passion for quality, sharable wine. Variety, flavor and affordable prices come toge... Read More