For some reason the name of the wine I decanted last evening reminds me of one of a truly BAD movie I had the misfortune to watch many years ago ... Showgirls.

If you have not seen it, well, you are the more fortunate one. 

If you were among the unfortunate ones, you will understand when I say, Nomi.

Yes, Nomi (played with all the vigor of a squashed grape, by Elizabeth Berkley) was a smalltown gal with the dream of being a bigtime gal in Vegas. 

Now, before you head on over to Netlix to focus on true thespians honing their craft in that gem, I recommend we focus on Meiomi's Pinot Noir.

Dabbling in this wine, I found it to be both hearty and smooth at the same time. It satisfied the senses in both aroma and taste. Easy on the wallet, it is bargain priced at around $20 a bottle.

No wine expert, I do know what I enjoy and this earthy wine brought delicious hints of berry, vanilla and oak. Decanting the wine, the color was rich and with the first sip, I enjoyed the subtle and fulfilling flavor, while noting it did not overpower the food I was sampling.

Even though the name makes me think of ladies scratching and clawing their way to the top of the Vegas Strip, Meiomi Pinot Noir quickly makes me forget all that nonsense. --The Dabbler

Sometimes when you want to sit on a bench and just stare at boats floating by, something weird happens.

Strangers on the next bench have a furry little dog that prances over, sits by your feet and gives you a look that simply begs for a pat, or forty, on the head. You pet it, and pet it and it just does not want to leave.

Don't you hate it when cute little dogs do that?

I know.

Me either.

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Speaking of dogs, sometimes on Facebook I see this dog named Jackman. His human is named, Mick, and they reside in Australia. 

Jackman, a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, is shown doing super cute stuff like standing there staring at the camera. With every post from Jackman and Mick, I have to ask my mate what time it is Australia. Oddly, it is always the same answer. If it is Friday around 6 pm in these parts, it is already Saturday morning down-under. You would think I would stop asking about this random thing, but I probably will not.

The Dabbler is back, and it is time to lift your coupe and toast the juicy red grapes of Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier.

Why?

These two grapes are the primary base for all things bubbly.

That's right.

Champagne.

Sparkling wine.

Yeah, we already know (if you don't, you should) that champagne is the perfect drink for any meal, aperitif or digestif, but that it has potential health benefits is an unexpected bonus.

You may have missed it (I did), but back in 2013 the University of Reading made a startling claim, and one I fully embrace: Drinking a few flutes of champagne per week could impact memory loss and certain brain disorders in a most positive way. It has something to do with proteins in the body. 

So, when I recently spied this little nugget of information floating around the Newsfeed on Facebook, I headed to Total Wine for more bottles of Veuve Clicquot. The way I see it, the better the bubbles, the better for the brain. That is my opinion, definitely not supported in any collegiate study. -- The Dabbler
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