Hi!

First off, thanks you who came to Dizzy's this past Monday, or streamed the downright joyous "Holidays" gig. I'll have some video clips of the evening for you all next week!

Secondly, for those of you in the Boston area, I'll be pouring this week's wine, signing bottles and having a great time at two locations of Vinodivino, our new favorite wine shop, in both Boston and Brookline. You'll find me December 13th at the Brookline (1669 Beacon) location from 5-7, and in Boston (175 Cambridge) on December 14th, 4-6. Come by and say hi!

And now to what has to be my favorite pairing...

Juice

Those of us who care about the things we drink enjoy the stories of how they are made; the people, places and history behind a bottle. I do too -- and I also believe a good wine can tell a story in a sip.

There isn't a wine I have more stories about than the one I make with my partner in many things, Ted Nash -- now in it's fifth vintage -- too many for our brief end-of-week moment together.

I will say that our Two Notes '22 Cabernet from Santa Ynez is easily our most elegant vintage, and not at all like the bigger, familiar renditions of cab coming out of other areas of California. It's for the person who likes subtlety over bombast, ease over muscle, and seamless texture rather than grip. And who might also like a couple of jazz musicians doing something together that can't be streamed on Spotify ;)

We have some excellent places selling the wine for you to keep in mind this season:

Places to sip: Dizzy's Club, NYC; The Black Sheep, Santa Barbara

Places to purchase: Oak & Steel, NYC, Dandelion Wines, Brooklyn; Renegade Wines, Santa Barbara; Goodland Wines, Goleta; The Liquor and Wine Grotto, Montecito

Jazz

When performing a familiar standard -- like a well-loved grape -- there's always a lot of tradition and expectation to contend with. How to find a fresh way to visit a classic? I think the answer is with a light touch.

When I recorded Frank Loesser's "What Are You Doing New Year's Eve?" I wanted to keep it conversational, while still embracing the luxurious vocal line. Ted's arrangement has all the grown-folk-late-night feeling, and then gives a taste of the swagger I feel hides in the lyric (c'mon, tell me anybody doesn't stand more than 'one little chance' after his sleek and swinging solo?)

There's more than a few tracks on this album that welcome a sip of something delicious and red (in 'Snowbound' it's practically a prescription) but I thought this would be a good way to start you off if the seasonal music bug hasn't bit already.

You can find this album, one that BroadwayWorld called "easily the most artistic Christmas album I have ever heard in my life" anywhere music is sold or streamed, including my site.

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What Are You Doing New Year'... Ted Nash, Kristen Lee Sergea... PREVIEW   ​

Thanks for reading, sipping, and listening along!

Truly,

Kristen

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P.S.: As always you can visit the main page to see the archive of posts, especially if you're new.:)