wine

Top Winter Wines - Spec's Wines, Spirits & Finer Foods

Top Winter Wines

Spec’sology Blog, Wine
When you think winter, you tend to think of cozying up by a fire, enjoying seasonal dishes, and big bold wines. And while many of us equate “big bold wines” with reds, that’s not always the case. A good winter wine has a warming quality to it that pairs wonderfully with cold weather, and they aren’t all reds. We’ve put together some of our top cold weather bottles, both red and white, that may not be on your winter wine list, but definitely should be.   Zinfandel With its big, spicy, ... Read More
Top Fall Wines 2021 - Spec's Wines, Spirits & Finer Foods

Top Fall Wines

Spec’sology Blog, Wine
With the hot summer days coming to an end, it’s time to stop reaching for refreshing rosés and start leaning towards big warm reds and rich whites. Here are some of our favorite fall wines that pair perfectly with shorter days and cooler nights.   Achaval-Ferrer Malbec A fresh and floral Malbec featuring blackberry, raspberry and violets. Dense and hearty with a noticeable mineral frame. Old World acidity with silky tannins and a lengthy finish. Columbia Crest H3 Cabernet Sauvignon For a bol... Read More
The Key To Chianti - Spec's Wines, Spirits & Finer Foods

The Key To Chianti Wine

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 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. T... Read More
How To Find The Perfect Pinot Noir - Spec's Wines, Spirits & Finer Foods

How To Find The Perfect Pinot Noir

Spec’sology Blog, Wine
Pinot Noir is a black wine grape variety that hails from France. It’s one of France’s oldest grapes, cultivated more than a century ago by the Cistercian monks in Burgundy. Today, collectors prize Pinot Noir for its finesse and age-worthiness. Due to its popularity and difficulty to grow, it’s one of the world’s most expensive wines. Finding the right Pinot Noir for you can be deliciously challenging as Pinot Noir wine taste varies based on climate, soil, and producer style. Cooler clima... Read More
Italian Wines For Any Budget - Spec's Wines, Spirits & Finer Foods

Italian Wines For Every Budget

Spec’sology Blog, Wine
Choosing an Italian wine can be a bit overwhelming, but that’s what happens when a country has been making wine for several thousand years. In fact, Italy is the leading wine producing country in the world both in terms of volume and exports. Italian wine is produced in every region of Italy and is home to some of the oldest wine-​producing regions on Earth. But don’t let the sheer number of options keep you from exploring all Italian wines have to offer! With such a large array of Italian... Read More
5 Summer Chardonnays Under $20 - Spec's Wines, Spirits & Finer Foods

5 Summer Chardonnays Under $20

Spec’sology Blog, Wine
Nothing beats a glass of chilled white wine for breaking up a summer’s day! If Chardonnay doesn’t come to mind as your go-to summer white, we’re about to change that. The Chardonnay is one of the six noble grapes, and one of the most popular wines in the world. There are two kinds of Chardonnay, oaked and steel-aged. True to the style of a steel-aged wine, the taste is more minerally with tart fruits like citrus and apple. Unlike rich and heavy oaked Chardonnays, a steel-aged Chardonnay is... Read More
The World of White Wines - Spec's Wines, Spirits & Finer Foods

The World of White Wines

Spec’sology Blog, Wine
Narrowing your wine preference down to red or white can be relatively easy, but trying to sip your way through every type of white wine is not something we’d suggest. That’s why we’ve broken white wines down into the three most requested types. We’ll be diving deep into dry, sweet, and aromatic (or floral) white wines to give you a good sense of each and help you find a type that’s perfect for you.   Dry White Wines When we think of the word dry, we think of an unpleasant mouth feelin... Read More
10 Spring Wines Under $20 - Spec's Wines, Spirits & Finer Foods

10 Spring Wines Under $20

Spec’sology Blog, Wine
Spring is officially here and with it comes warmer weather, abundant greenery, wildflowers, and ample time outdoors. So, to help you enjoy nature’s awakening, we’ve put together a collection of wonderful spring wines under $20 to keep that financial spring in your step throughout our favorite sipping season!   Yalumba Viognier – $13.99 Viognier is an excellent alternative to Chardonnay wines, and Wine Spectator hailed this one as number 56 on its list of the Top 100 Wines of 2018. The Yal... Read More
New Ways to Enjoy Rosé Wines - Spec'c Wines, Spirits & Finer Foods

New Ways to Enjoy Rosés

Spec’sology Blog, Wine
The days of judging a wine by its container are long gone. With that in mind, let’s focus on rosé and the myriad ways one can enjoy this delicious beverage! A glass bottle may not always be welcome at certain places like the beach, the pool, the river, etc. But a can allows you to bless any place with rosé grace! But even cans have their limits as you well know if you enjoy tubing Texas rivers, and that’s just one of the many reasons for rosé to come in a box! A box of rosé is also perfe... Read More
Spanish Wines - Spec's Wines, Spirits & Finer Foods

Spanish Wines

Spec’sology Blog, Wine
When most people think of Spanish wine they inevitably think of sangria, but Spain has a lot more to offer when it comes to wine! The origin of wine in Spain is old enough to have been lost to time as no one really knows who first brought vines to the area. By the time the Phoenicians arrived some 3,000 years ago and founded what are now the cities of Cadiz and Jerez, viticulture was well established, and Spanish wines became widely traded throughout the Mediterranean and North Africa. In the 19... Read More
Chilean Wine Month - Spec's Wines, Spirits & Finer Foods

Chilean Wines

Spec’sology Blog, Wine
The rise in Chilean wines may seem new to the wine world, but Chile has been planting grapevines since the 1500’s. The recent surge in Chilean wine exports has finally brought the recognition these vintners deserve; prior to the 1990’s almost all of Chilean wines were consumed by its residents. This slender strip of land produces festive sparklers, crisp and refreshing whites, and bold, world-class reds, plus every style in between. Chile’s topography creates islands of isolation for the v... Read More
Australian Wines - Spec's Wines, Spirits & Finer Foods

Australian Wines

Spec’sology Blog, Wine
Australia is one of the most prolific wine-producing countries in the world and not many people in the U.S. are aware of it. History of Australian Wine The birth of Australian wine making first started when vine cuttings from the Cape of Good Hope were brought to the penal colony of New South Wales in 1788. Although these first vines failed, eventually other settlers managed to successfully cultivate vines for winemaking, and Australian made wine was available for sale domestically by the 1820s.... Read More