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.
Send all editorial inquiries HERE.
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.
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.
The best sparkling water cocktails to rival hard seltzers
Hard seltzers are all the rage, but sparkling water cocktails are classic and timeless and can offer a better flavor regardless of the weather and the season.
How to make the most magnificent mimosa
An afterthought in the world of craft cocktails, the mimosa can be something special, if you know what you're doing.
The 21 best food documentaries of all time
These are the best documentaries about food — from films about meticulous sushi chefs to the woes of the fast-food industry.
This is how to clean a grill, whether it’s charcoal, gas, or pellet
Uncleaned grease and carbon deposits can alter the taste of food and damage your grill. Here, we've outlined the steps on how to clean a grill.
The classic vodka cocktails you need to know how to make
There are a number of classic vodka cocktails that are a little more complex but still easy to make, like a Moscow Mule or a White Russian.
How to make an Old Fashioned cocktail the right way
As simple as an Old Fashioned cocktail is, it can still be made improperly. Here's how to perfect the age-old bourbon classic.
Drink up at these amazing bars — they’re favorites of famous authors
Famous writers have long loved a good drink. Here are the bars where the best writers tended to hang out.
How to spit roast lamb in 5 easy steps
One of the best ways to prepare meat is over an open fire. Learn how to spit roast a whole lamb with our guide. You'll be king of the open flame in no time.
23 easy cocktail recipes you can make at home
From an Old Fashioned to a Tom Collins, we've curated a list of easy, classic cocktail recipes that you can make from the comfort of your own home.
The ultimate guide to Lebanese cuisine, a rich and distinct food culture
Something like the Italy of the Arab world, Lebanon and its cuisine enjoy seasonality, multiple courses, and a rich history.
The 16 best music movies of all time to watch now
Music has played a huge role in film since the beginning, but in some cases, it becomes absolutely central.
9 delicious drink recipes for Cinco de Mayo (that aren’t all margaritas)
Cinco de Mayo is about so much more than generic margaritas. Try these festive cocktails and see for yourself.
Secrets revealed: Easy ways to elevate your cocktail game from a pro mixologist
Want to make better cocktails? Heed to this wisdom from a top bartender.
The 5 best vegetarian and vegan dishes to try right now
It's a wonderful time of year for fresh produce to make vegetarian dishes. These vegan and vegetarian meals are perfect for any day of the week.
How to make The Last Word cocktail, a gin classic from another era
The Last Word is a classic gin cocktail that's come back to life as of late. Here's how to make one like a pro.
Far older than you think: A beginner’s guide to Mexican wine
You might not think of Mexico as a wine-producing country, but they've been doing it since the 16th century. Here's what to know.
These are the wine regions in jeopardy due to climate change, study says
Climate change affects all. The wine industry will look very different by the end of this century, according to a new study.
The best hotels in NYC for a spring or summer stay
Visiting NYC is a special experience worthy of many days and nights. Here's are the best hotels to stay at.
Cognac vs. brandy: What’s the difference?
What's the difference between brandy and cognac? Turns out, it's all about region, grapes, and process. Here's the breakdown.
Get creative: How to use hibiscus in your cocktails this spring
Hibiscus is a great ingredient to use in cocktails. Here are a handful of spring-forward recipes.
The best competitive cooking shows to watch right now – from Pressure Cooker to MasterChef
Looking for competitive cooking shows to binge? We've gathered a list of the 13 best cooking competitions you can stream any time.
The 10 best rosé wines that everyone should drink
Whether you're looking for a cheap bottle or a healthier drink, we got you covered with the best rosés for this season and beyond.
The Native American cuisine movement is on the rise
Native cuisine has been here longer than any food trend imaginable. Now, it's gaining some long overdue attention and sparking a movement.
What is a barrique? Exploring wine’s most popular barrel size
Barriques are the most common size and type of barrels in the wine game and are lauded for their functionality and ability to mature fermented juice.
Jefferson’s Bourbon makes the most well-traveled spirits you’ll ever drink
Jefferson's Bourbon has made aging at sea cool again. Here's what else the producer is up to as American whiskey continues to make strides.
Here’s how to crawfish boil the right way (and everything else there is to know about crawfish)
Crawfish, crayfish, crawdads, mountain lobsters, yabbies, or mudbugs — whatever you call them, they're delicious. Here's how to eat them.
Pro tips from Chef Eduardo Garcia for cooking outdoors like a true mountain man
The mountain men of today are self-sufficient but also eat well when outdoors. Here's out to pull of the role.
How to grill filet mignon on a gas grill: Advice from an expert
It's grilling season and there's hardly a more iconic steak than filet mignon. Here's how to grill the cut correctly.
The 10 best banana liqueur cocktails for a taste of the tropics
Warning: This post contains a bunch of delicious and unique banana liqueur cocktails. You'll go B-A-N-A-N-A-S for these recipes. (Sorry-not-sorry for the puns.)
The best bars in New York City: Our top picks
NYC has no shortage of great bars. Here are the very best of the bunch.
How a passion for scuba diving inspired one of our favorite rum brands
Todd Thrasher started a rum company after traveling the world as a dive instructor. Here's some related wisdom.
There’s a big wine glut right now: Here’s what that means for you
There's a surplus of wine from Australia to France. Here's what the means.
This is what wine tasted like in ancient Rome, and we have thoughts
Wine was a little different back in its infancy. Here's what it tasted like in ancient Rome.
Gloves up, here are some of the best boxing matches of all time
Knockouts in 11 seconds, Muhammad Ali as the underdog, and the end of the bare-knuckle era — here are the best boxing matches of all time.
A guide to making a Rob Roy, the Scotch lover’s classic
The Rob Roy is a classic among classic cocktails. Here's how to perfect the Scotch-based drink.
How to age fish at home (your new favorite hobby)
You're heard of aging beef and curing pork, but you can also age fish to give it a better texture and flavor. Here's how to age fish at home.
How to make Ranch Water the right way
It's a simple three-ingredient cocktail suitable for the hottest of days. Here's how to make Ranch Water, the best way to ride out a warm spring or summer day.
7 rhubarb cocktails worth adding to your spring drinking rotation
Rhubarb is a bright veggie that functions more like a fruit. Here are seven great cocktail recipes that use the spring-fresh ingredient.
The 30 best spring cocktails to cheers the season with
We've rounded up the best spring cocktail recipes just in time for the most vibrant season of the year. So, clink a glass and toast to the warmer days ahead!