Skip to main content
Mark Stock

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.

A plate of grilled meat and vegetables on a rustic wooden platter with a black background

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.
Steak on the grill

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.
Dark and Stormy cocktail

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.
Chicken drumsticks on grill

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.
Sliced steak

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.
Summer cocktails

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.
Two bison in a field

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.
Grapefruit sprtiz cocktail

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.
Person holding an open wine bottle toward the camera

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.
Wilderton Aperitivo and citrus.

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.
Fresh spring sparkling water

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.
Mimosa

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.
for grace documentary

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.
A wide shot of skewers on a grill

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.
Moscow mule cocktail with lime and mint in a copper mug

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.
An Old Fashioned cocktail on a counter

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.
A person hitting a shot on the golf course.

Tee up at the best golf resorts in the U.S.

The only thing better than playing golf is doing it again the next day. Here's where that comes naturally: At the best golf resorts in the land.
Spit roast lamb

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.
Bartender making a whiskey highball

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.
Middle Eastern, Arabic, or Mediterranean dinner table with grilled lamb kebab, chicken skewers with roasted vegetables and appetizers variety serving on rustic outdoor table

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.
spinal tap band

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.
Diablo Don Papa cocktail

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.
grasshopper cocktail

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.
Cauliflower steak with peppercorn sauce

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.
Last Word cocktail

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.
White wine glass tip

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.
A vineyard in the Russian River Valley between Guerneville and Healdsburg, California.

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.
Waldorf Astoria NYC.

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.
Brandy in the sunlight

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.
Alcoholic cocktail with pieces of fruit and berries in a bowl

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 scene from the show Barbecue Showdown

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.
Rose wine glasses

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.
Chef Jack Strong.

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.
Wine barrel barrique

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 Rye.

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.
A southern Crawfish plate

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.
Chef Eduardo Garcia.

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.
Grill barbecue gourmet filet entrecote steaks at summer party

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.
Banana liqueur cocktail

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 Quixote Bar.

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.
Todd Thrasher.

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.
Wine bottles

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.
Ancient Roman wine sign.

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.
Roberto Duran II Sugar Ray Leonard 1980

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.
Rob Roy cocktail with cherry garnish

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.
Aged fish by PABU

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.
A serving of ranch water cocktail

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.
Rhubarb drinks

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.
Two glasses of grapefruit cocktail with grapefruit slices and rosemary garnish on a table

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!