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
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
Playoff Pairings - Spec's Wines, Spirits & Finer Foods

Playoff Pairings

Spec’sology Blog, Drink Recipes
With the NFL’s expansion of the playoffs for the 2021 postseason, there will now be seven teams from each conference taking the field during the month of January. So, you’ll get even more football than usual and that means you’ll need more ways to keep your mouth entertained (besides yelling at the TV). While beer might be the go-to for gathering around the TV and pairing with snacks, a cocktail can be a great thing to sip on while you spend almost all of January glued to the tube. Whether... 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
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. Steak A good grilled steak is rich and fatty with a lingering smokiness that demands a beverage just a... 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... 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 Prime A 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 throug... Read More
Tv/Movie & Drink Pairings - Spec's Wines, Spirits & Finer Foods

Sip & Stream – Week 4

Spec’sology Blog, Drink Recipes, Pairings, Spirits
We’ve got some real cinematic treats in week 4 of our Sip & Stream series! The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel • Amazon Prime It’s the late 1950s and Miriam “Midge” Maisel has everything she has ever wanted — the perfect husband, two kids and an elegant apartment on New York’s Upper West Side. Her seemingly idyllic life takes a surprising turn when she discovers she’s been suppressing a hidden talent — stand-up comedy. Pair it with: Cocktails from the... Read More
Sip & Stream - TV, Movie & Drink Pairings - Spec's Wines, Spirits & Finer Foods

Sip & Stream – Week Three

Spec’sology Blog, Beer, Drink Recipes, Pairings, Spirits
Here we are in week 3 of Spec’s Sip & Stream pairing suggestions, and we’re still finding things to watch. It really is amazing how much entertainment is at our fingertips in this digital age of convenience! Anyway, let’s get to mixing up some deliciousness. Castle Rock • Hulu The Stephen King multiverse is the setting for this psychological horror series that takes place in Castle Rock, Maine, which is a location familiar to fans of King’s work. An anonymous phone call l... Read More