Mark Stock
Contributor
Mark Stock is a writer from Portland, Oregon. He fell into wine during the Recession and has been fixated on the stuff since. He spent years making, selling, and sipping Pinot Noir in the Dundee Hills before a full return to his journalistic roots in 2016. He's helplessly tied to European soccer, casting for trout, and grunge rock. In addition to The Manual, he writes for SevenFifty Daily, Sip Northwest, The Somm Journal, The Drake, Willamette Week, Travel Oregon, and more. He has a website and occasionally even updates it: markastock.com.
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What on earth is Major League Eating? It’s more than a hot dog eating contest
Major League Eating is famous for its hot dog eating contest. Turns out, there's a lot more to the pro feasting assocition.
The best new non-alcoholic drinks for a happy hour without the hangover
It's the most exciting time for NA drinks ever. Here's what to enjoy, hangover not included.
What you need to know before you bring wine to a restaurant
Turns out, you can bring wine to most restaurants. That's where the corkage fee comes in to play.
The definitive guide to South African cuisine, a diverse food culture
South African food is a layered realm full of tasty signature dishes and amazing local wines.
The 5 best soup recipes you must make in your own kitchen
These stellar soup recipes are so good you'll want to ditch the spoon and dive right in, no matter what time of year it is.
The 13 best movies of the 2000s you should watch (or rewatch)
Without a doubt, the aughts blessed us with plenty of iconic, rewatch-worthy movies. And only these 13 best movies of the 2000s made the cut.
Is international bar acclaim worth it? Some of the world’s best bars weigh in
Becoming a world's best bar is great for business. But it comes with a host of challenges too.
A primer on Tempranillo, the ultimate red meat wine
Born in Spain but now planted all over, Tempranillo is a popular red wine with its own identity. It also goes very well with red meat.
How to make a frozen lemon drop, the drink of this summer
Summer heats calls for great frozen drinks. Here's a recipe sure to steal the season.
If you want to catch a catfish, you need this to bait them
Catfish aren't sexy but they are fun to fish for, especially if you know what to put on your hook.
11 best meatless grilling recipes to make for barbecue season
Grilling does not just mean steaks over flames. Here are some of the best meatless grilling recipes to prove it.
How to make the perfect pasta at home
It's not the easiest kitchen task but it is one of the most fun and rewarding. Here's how to make pasta from scratch.
There’s an ancient art to making great soy sauce
Soy sauce is often overlooked. Turns out, the older and slower production methods produce the best results.
Is it finally mead’s time to shine? Don’t sleep on this drink trend
Mead is an ancient wine with close ties to bees. Read how the industry is evolving through the lens of a Virginia producer.
9 top tips so you can get better sleep every night
Good sleep is just as essential for our overall health as nutrition and exercise. Find out how to get more of it.
A beginner’s guide to Burmese cuisine
Burmese food is generally overshadowed in the realm of Asian cuisine, but it's diversity and big flavors are very much worth exploring.
The best orange wines for something satisfyingly in between a red and white
Orange wine have been around for ages. But now might just be the best time to enjoy them, as these options suggest.
How to make clam chowder, the ultimate recipe for those who love this seafood favorite
Clam chowder is royalty in the bowl and satisfying to eat. Here's how to make it and how it and its many styles came about.
10 NYC steakhouses that are better than Peter Luger
NYC has a lot of great steakhouses beyond big names like Peter Luger. Here are 10 of the very best to dine at.
Drinks 101: What’s a brand ambassador (and are any worth paying attention to)?
Everybody seems to be a brand ambassador these days. But in the drinks industry, there are some worth paying attention to.
The traditional Greek food you need to try when you visit Greece
Grecian food is culinary gold. Here are some of the best traditional dishes to enjoy while navigating the category.
Hawaiian coffee is about to taste a lot better
Hawaiian coffee is getting a boost from some new legislation. Here's what to know.
The best affordable white wine money can buy
There's a lot of great white wine out there. Here are the affordable best options.
The 17 best mocktail recipes to make in 2024
While a mocktail won’t give you the buzz that a cocktail would, one or a few of these non-alcoholic drink recipes also won’t make you feel as bad.
How to appreciate wine like fine art
Wine is still intimidating to many. Use these pro tips to break through and appreciate the stuff a lot more.
Pork shoulder vs pork butt: What’s the difference (and when should you use each)?
Pork shoulder and pork butt are two very different things. Here's what to know about the varying protein styles.
Don’t make these common mistakes when grilling fish
When fish are grilled, mistakes are made. Here's how to carry out the act right, just in time for summer.
How a taco stand won a Michelin Star
Michelin Stars aren't just for white table cloth restaurants. Now, they're for exceptional taco stands too.
How to fish: Tips for beginners
Fishing this summer? If you're starting to fish and your goal is to at least get some nibbles while you're out, keep these tips in mind.
The ultimate neutral grain spirits guide
There's a somewhat hidden player in the drinks realm and it goes by the name of neutral spirits. Learn more about them in our guide.
The coolest summer travel destinations for wine lovers (that aren’t Napa)
Wine vacations are the best vacations. Here's where to go, what to sip, what to eat, and more.
Our 5 favorite summer mocktails (they’re all bartender approved)
Summer is a time for celebration and that can mean a trusty mocktail. Here are some great recipes to explore.
If you want the world’s best steak, you’ll have to go to Buenos Aires
There are a lot of great steak destinations out there. This one was just named the very best.
Sommeliers reveal the best summer wines
Summer means gatherings, dinner parties, and any number of events that could use a good wine. Here are some great sommelier-backed bottles.
The history of Pilsner, one of the planet’s most popular beers
The history of Pilsner is part technology, part simplicity, and part fed-up beer drinkers. Here's the story of the famous beer.
How to make a heavenly Sidecar cocktail
Cognac is back and one of its greatest incarnations is the classic Sidecar cocktail. Here's how the experts prepare one.
Blue Curacao is back in style — how to use it like a drinks pro
Once the laughingstock of the bar world, Blue Curacao is back and better than ever. Here's how to use the tropical liqueur.
Bourbon vs. whiskey: The differences explained
When you think about bourbon and whiskey, think about the former as a subcategory of the latter, often made in Kentucky and made primarily with corn.
This is the best time to visit Iceland
Iceland is one of the most fascinating countries on the planet. Here's the best time of the year to go.
How to perfect your brisket game with pro tips from Austin’s Salt Lick
BBQ brisket is a dish sent straight from the heavens. Here's how to make the stuff, with tips from a pro.
The secret to gauging meat tenderness is easier than you think
The best way to gauge the tenderness of your meat is by way of an old culinary-school trick.
This is the best wood for grilling and smoking, according to an expert
There is a big difference in the wood you use when you're grilling or smoking. Find out which wood is the best and what the wood actually does to food.
How to make a Dark and Stormy, the rum-centric sibling of the Moscow Mule
Evocative, easy to make, and effortlessly cool, the Dark and Stormy is a classic cocktail worth making right.
How to grill chicken correctly for a tender, delicious barbecue
Grilling chicken is more than just throwing it on the grill. Check out this guide on how to grill perfect chicken every time.
The best steak cuts for grilling: These are real crowd-pleasers
Steak and summer is a close and special pairing. Count on these cuts as you fire up the grill this year.
These unique summer cocktails each offer a refreshing twist you’ll love
Summer stands for fun and these celebratory cocktails will keep you carefree all season long.
How to avoid a bison attack this summer (and any time of the year)
As unlikely as it is that a bison will attack you, it pays to know the etiquette, especially when traveling to places like Yellowstone National Park.
The best spritz cocktail recipes to drink this spring
If you love a good spritz, then you must try these cocktail recipes that use spirits like gin, whiskey, and vermouth for new takes on the classic drink.
How to open a wine bottle without a corkscrew
Here's how to open a wine bottle without a corkscrew and save the day. All you need is a pair of shoes, a bike pump, a blunt object, or port tongs.