wine

New Wines, Spirits & Beers for 2021

Spec’sology Blog, Beer, Spirits, Wine
It’s January so you’ve probably finished reading all the 2020 recaps and are beyond ready to move on and leave those 365 days as far behind as possible! We feel you. So, what’s new for beverages in the year 2021 you ask? Well, settle on down and get ready to have your happy hour future read by the experts. 2021 will see the continued rise of hard seltzers as more and more brands get in on the action with new and unique offerings. Online wine education courses skyrocketed during quarantine ... Read More
Top 10 Rioja Wines of 2020 - Spec's Wines, Spirits & Finer Foods

Top 10 Most Impactful Riojas of 2020

Spec’sology Blog, Wine
A Word From Our Wine Expert… Many major reviewers have been releasing their “Best Of” and “Top” wines of the year lists over the past month. Fun as they may be to obsess over and reference, those lists are obviously subjective. While I have never been disappointed in a wine I’ve bought from one of these lists, there have been plenty of instances where I have vehemently disagreed with the rankings. Below is my own list of noteworthy Riojas. I tasted a lot of Riojas in 2020, but the be... Read More
Best Texas Holiday Wines - Spec's Wines, Spirits & Finer Foods

Best Texas Holiday Wines

Spec’sology Blog, Wine
Besides the fact that shopping local is more important than ever this holiday season; Texas makes some really good wines! So, whether you’re gifting or treating yourself, we’ve put together 5 Texas wines that will go wonderfully with your seasonal dishes and help to support a local business. But first, some Texas wine history! History of Texas Wine When you think of wine production in the U.S. people tend to think of California as the original region, but Texas is one of the oldest wine grow... Read More
Explore Wines from Rioja - Spec's Wines, Spirits & Finer Foods

Wines From Rioja – The Perfect Holiday Companion!

Spec’sology Blog, Wine
With a myriad of dishes served during the holidays, there is no better accompaniment to a meal – or finer gift to give – than an exquisite wine from Rioja. These vibrant wines offer unmatched versatility. Excellent conditions for vine cultivation allow for a multitude of wine styles – this variation rivals almost any other top region in the world. Rioja wines are standouts due to a diversity of climate, landscape, soil type and grape varieties. Rioja Sub-Zones Rioja has three distinct s... 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 Gazer Ingredients 2 oz. chardonnay1 oz. dark r... 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 mil... 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 ... 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... 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 type Still Moscato – made with Muscat Blanc grapes but also other Muscat varieties, like Muscat of Alexandria. Pink Moscato – made... Read More