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
Kurt Darting Gewürztraminer Kabinett 2009, Qmp, Dürkheimer Nonnengarten
Pfalz, Germany$17.95
This is a very appealing wine. It's soft with aromas of lychee and grapefruit. A nice wine for under $20. Great aroma, flavour. It's an easy wine to enjoy.
3.0 Stars
(0)V
Lafond Srh Pinot Noir 2009, Santa Rita Hills, Santa Barbara
California, Usa$26.95
I had such hope for this bottle since I'm normally a such fan of wines from Santa Rita Hills. I found it to be not well balanced between the ripe fruit and alcohol. I didn't like the bitter finish. I was sad since I was looking forward to trying it. Oh well, I would still like to try other wines from this producer.
3.0 Stars
(0)V
Ulisse Unico Pecorino 2010, Igt Terre Di Chieti
Abruzzo, Italy$17.95
I enjoyed tasting this! Love the label too. Crisp and refreshing with herbs and green melon. I haven't had much experience with this Italian grape variety but I would like to.
3.0 Stars
(0)V
Domaine Vincent Delaporte Chavignol Sancerre 2010, Ac
Loire, France$23.95
A crisp wine with delicate aromas of gooseberry. Nice minerality and finish. I enjoyed it!
3.0 Stars
(0)V
Errázuriz Wild Ferment Pinot Noir 2010, Casablanca Valley
Casablanca Valley, Chile$19.95
Yeasts gone wild! Good acidity and spice. This wine was super earthy. It was quite unusual. I wasn't a huge fan of the finish but overall, a curious example of Pinot Noir from Chile. I'd try it again.
3.0 Stars
(0)V
Hinterbrook Riesling 2010, VQA Niagara Lakeshore
Ontario, Canada$14.25
This is my first taste of anything from this winery. There's a beautiful aroma of peaches and honey. This wine is off-dry on the palate. Although I personally prefer a more dry Riesling, I don't think this example will disappoint as there's still some zing to it.
3.0 Stars
(0)V
Mcmanis Family Vineyards Zinfandel 2010, California
California, Usa$19.95
This wine can serve as a basic introduction to the Zinfandel grape. It's super fruity with hints of dark chocolate and red licorice. It's so ripe, it might lean over to almost the jammy side...but not quite. It has very soft tannins so it makes it an easy drinking wine. I could see it being enjoyed at a BBQ.
3.0 Stars
(0)V
Argyle Brut 2007, Willamette Valley
Oregon, Usa$24.75
I opened this bottle up for Valentine's Day. It's a nice example of a sparkling wine from Oregon. Great acidity and mouthfeel with some nuttiness to it. Don't drink it too cold or it won't give you much. It's one that reveals itself slowly.
3.0 Stars
(0)V
Domaine J. Laurens Les Graimenous Brut Crémant De Limoux 2009, Ac
Languedoc, France$18.95
Good acidity and mineral notes with hints of candied ginger. The mousse was a bit too lively. However, as with many Cremants, it's a nice sparkler for under $20. This would make a nice aperitif.
3.0 Stars
(0)V
Plunkett Fowles Stone Dwellers Shiraz 2008, Strathbogie Ranges, Victoria
Victoria, Australia$19.95
This lovely Shiraz had a great deep purple colour. It was spicy with lots of berry and licorice with slight vegetative flavours. It had great structure with nothing really jumping out to overpower. It also had an enjoyable long finish. I'm not one to normally drink Australian Shiraz but I would drink this one. I actually enjoy many of the wines from Plunkett Fowles. Not only is the quality there but it comes at an affordable price.
3.0 Stars
(0)V