Monika Janek
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Followers (5)
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Following (2)
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Reviews (175)
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A lover of everything related to wine!
IT professional in the software/film industry, pianist, DJ, electronic music producer, figure skater...all these activities keep Monika busy. Her real love, however, is wine. She has completed the Advanced level with the Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) but has now decided to study wine making through the distance program at UC Davis California starting in January 2012. She also has a blog where she shares her adventures to various wine regions and events. Yummy wine made from yummy grapes!
www.theyummygrape.com
Reviews
Starmont Cabernet Sauvignon 2007, Napa Valley
California, Usa$44.95
A bunch of us went to dinner and this bottle was served but I had to guess what it was. It had considerable alcohol both on the nose and on the palate, lots of black cherry fruit. There were some tannins but integrated nicely. Rich texture, lots of flavour but not too long of a finish. I guessed that it was a Cab from Napa and 2007 vintage. I was right! I enjoyed it. Maybe more if the alcohol wasn't so evident.
3.0 Stars
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13th Street White Palette 2010, VQA Niagara Peninsula
Ontario, Canada$15.95
I tried this wine over the weekend at 13th Street winery. It's a blend of various varieties such as Gewurztraminer, Riesling, Pinot Gris, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon and Chardonnay...whew that's a lot! It's like a grape reunion! A nice summer wine. Serve chilled and enjoy it while it's young.
3.0 Stars
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Lailey Chardonnay 2009, VQA Niagara Peninsula
Ontario, Canada$19.95
A nice chardonnay for just under $20. Not too oaky showing nice fruit and acidity. Something about the finish that I wasn't a huge fan of, but still a nice wine.
3.0 Stars
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Spice Route Sauvignon Blanc 2010, Wo Darling
Swartland, South Africa$15.95
A lovely wine at this price point. Great acidity! Good length. If you don't like that overly grassy Sauvignon Blanc then this one is for you. I picked out some herbal notes such as bell pepper and asparagus along with fruit characteristics like green apple.
3.0 Stars
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Terra D'alter Reserva White 2010, Vinho Regional Alentejano
Alentejo, Portugal$13.95
A lovely blend from Portugal. I think this wine will have mass appeal with all levels of wine-lovers. It's simple and enjoyable. Fantastic price for what you get in the bottle. If you're looking for a white wine with lots going on, this is the bottle you should try.
3.0 Stars
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Domaine De Nizas Rosé 2010, Ac Coteaux Du Languedoc
Languedoc, France$13.75
Enjoyable rose at a great price. Lively acidity and fruit. I'm sure this would please most at Thanksgiving dinner! I wish I had brought this to my own. :)
3.0 Stars
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Simi Landslide Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2007, Alexander Valley, Sonoma County
California, Usa$39.95
Lots of blue and black juicy fruit with this wine. Quite dry with decent length. Plenty of tannin.
3.0 Stars
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Santa Margherita Athesis Brut Rosé, Doc Alto Adige, Metodo Clasico
Alto Adige-Trentino, Italy$28.95
This would be nice as an aperitif. Refreshes the palate and has a decent creamy finish. The colour was interesting. It really was a "brassy orange yellow". This wine didn't reveal too much at first sip, but I liked that it was quite reserved. Might do better at a lower price point.
3.0 Stars
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Kurt Darting Ungsteiner Herrenberg Riesling Spätlese 2008, Qmp
Pfalz, Germany$19.95
I'm a fan of this producer. A very aromatic Riesling so it should tickle your nose hairs. There's some residual sugar so it's not completely dry with hints of grapefruit and passionfruit. Made from riper grapes, it still retains good acidity. Spatlese means "late picking" so grapes picked after normal harvest.
3.0 Stars
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Sabor Real Toro 2008, Do Toro
Castilla y León, Spain$15.95
For a wine at this price, you get a lot coming from the bottle. I just love a good tempranillo. Full-bodied with black fruit, spice and a slight tobacco on the finish. It has some good complexity. Lots of return on minimal investment. For those of us who are cash-strapped after the holidays, this is definitely a good find from the bargain bin!
3.0 Stars
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