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
Lailey Chardonnay Old Vines 2008, VQA Niagara Peninsula
Ontario, Canada$40.20
I tried this recently at the Lailey Futures (2010) tasting. They were pouring it just to show us a glimpse of the past. Past tasted ever so good! I enjoyed this Chard. Elegant and well-balanced. I wonder if I can find this because I want some.
3.5 Stars
Kangarilla Road Shiraz 2008, Mclaren Vale
Australia$15.20
Great wine for the money. I had a chance to meet the winemaker last week and he is a super nice guy. For a wine under $20, there sure is a lot of great stuff going on. I don't usually buy Australian Shiraz (not because I don't like it) but I bought this. My only dilemma is, I had the winemaker sign it. This makes it harder to open since it looks so pretty with a hand-written message.
3.5 Stars
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Beringer Chardonnay 2009, Napa Valley
California, Usa$22.95
I had this wine at the recent Wine Align Beringer tasting at Sassafraz. I had it both at the reception before the event then again during the structured tasting. I enjoyed it more at the reception only because I had it in a larger wine glass. I could swirl it around a lot more and really get my nose in it. :) I know those ISO glasses are standard for tasting, but the larger glasses are way more fun. There's some oak, but not too much. Good fruit with a hint of spice. It's a perfect wine to enjoy on a patio this summer. It's a nice California chard.
3.5 Stars
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Château D'aquéria Tavel Rosé 2010, Ac
Rhône, France$21.95
If you like rosé and want a good, reliable introduction into the region of Tavel then this is great wine to start your adventure with. I stock up on this one every year. So much strawberry and rhubarb in the mouth. It will surely please! Every time I sip a Tavel rosé, I think of early morning walks outside of Avignon hunting for chocolate croissants only to see people already sitting on patios sipping rosé. Now that's what I call being civilized!
3.5 Stars
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Santa Carolina Chardonnay Reserva 2010
Chile$11.95
A tasty wine for under $10. If you're looking for an everyday Chardonnay that has seen some oak, this is go-to that won't hurt the wallet. Slightly warm, medium bodied, with tropical fruit and butterscotch notes.
3.5 Stars
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Cave De Ribeauvillé Terroirs Reserve Pinot Gris 2007, Ac Alsace
Alsace, France$19.95
This wine is a wonderful example of how delicious a Pinot Gris can be. There was some enjoyable residual sugar on the palate with some honey and apricot flavours. There was also a soft, underlying smokiness to this wine. Yum!
3.5 Stars
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Perrin Les Cornuds Vinsobres 2009, Ac
Rhône, France$15.00
For $15, you really can't go wrong with this wine. It was rich and juicy. A great example of a Rhone wine. Great value!
3.5 Stars
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Jackson Triggs Entourage Silver Series Brut Méthode Classique 2006, VQA Niagara Peninsula
Ontario, Canada$19.75
You know what, I actually didn't like this on the first sip. Then I realized that it was served too cold. I let it warm up a bit and I grew to love it. Great Ontario sparkling wine. I had it with a hazelnut tarte from a great French pastry shop and the two were a match made in heaven. Made in the traditional method (like in Champagne), it had a great biscuit nose with lots of great acidity. I pretty much finished off the bottle myself. Oops!
3.5 Stars
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De Loach Ofs Chardonnay 2008, Russian River Valley, Sonoma County
California, Usa$37.95
A nice Chardonnay if you like high alcohol and oak. Good tropical fruit but honestly, it was like a lot of other "typical" California Chardonnays. Having said that, I enjoyed tasting it.
3.5 Stars
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Balthasar Ress Riesling Spätlese 1998, Qmp, Hattenheim Nussbrunnen
Rheingau, Germany$33.00
Lovely wine. Not too sweet or acidic. Slight petrol on the nose. Honey and apricots on the palate. I enjoyed this.
3.5 Stars
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