Was checking out some wine tastings yesterday and had a (red) wine recommended to me that was not on the tasting menu.  As we got to talking about great grapes and new world wine (my favorite), the pourer/sampler/whatever you’d like to call them, recommended Meiomi Pinot Noir from California.  The grapes are from 3 regions in the state — Monterey, Santa Barbara and Sonoma.  Quite unique — definitely a light color (very Pinot), but was tough to nail down the flavors at first.  Got a bit a spice, then some light vanilla/candy, and a bit of fruit.  Also, a vintner who’s using screwtops, if that’s something that catches your attention.  Worth trying.  At the great store of Rodman’s in DC (a wine lover’s pitfall, among two others in the area) it was $16.