Hi!

Welcome to the new year of wine, song and good company here at Jazz & Juice. Let's get it started!

Oh, I posted a video of "What are You Doing New Year's Eve?" just under the wire before the holiday. If you're thinking of asking someone that question extra early for 2026, you can find it here.

Juice

You can get to know a wine producer in a bunch of ways -- by trying a prized, sought after bottle, or, something more accessible. Regardless of where you encounter a wine producer in their tiers of offerings, it only takes one to fall in love. I'm still talking about wine...I think.;)

Altesino is a remarkable producer of Tuscany's famed Brunello wine and one known for innovating the traditions of its long held processes.

Their Rosso di Montalcino '22 is the way into their portfolio without spending Brunello bucks. It's still sangiovese just like the bigger deal bottles, and gives you insight into the personality of their wines.

This Rosso '22 has such a lovely, pure, fresh fruit on the nose -- candied red cherry, cranberry, tender herbs and a touch of cinnamon soar out of the glass -- then things get serious. Structured tannins are integrated throughout the body of wine while your mouth waters with acidity. The finish persists, drying down to...is that coriander? It's a wine that offer s a lot of pleasure, and promise of more to come.

You can find the wine for purchase here.​

Jazz

A musician can't be distilled down to one tune, although you could do worse than a tour de force for an introduction.

Julian Lage's album from this past year, "Speak to Me" (Blue Note, 2024) is a journey of many facets, styles and techniques by someone who has mastered all of them. If you listen to 76 my guess is you won't be able to stop yourself from hearing the whole record that offers more nuance and enjoyment with every track.

When the groove gets underway, its undeniable -- insuring that no matter where this tune goes, you are going with it. While you're cruising along, the seriousness of Lage's guitar technique becomes apparent as does his taste as a leader. Between his middle eastern harmonic flourishes, Kris Davis' chaotic pianistic punctuations, and a touch of tenor by Levon Henry, it's a song that I couldn't stop spinning.

With this such intensity, invention and fun, it just takes one.

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76 Julian Lage PREVIEW   ​

Cheers and Happy 2025,

Truly,

Kristen

*nobody pays me for these recommendations, but if you purchase through the links here, when I can offer them, it supports the newsletter. Thank you!!