Essi Avellani (born 1975/1976) is a Finnish sparkling wine expert, wine writer and wine competition judge.

In 2006, she became the first Finn to be awarded the qualification Master of Wine.[1][2]

Biography

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Avellani was born in 1975/1976.[3]

She holds a Master of Science degree in Business Administration.[1] While studying for the degree, she became interested in wine working at a Finnish owned château in Bordeaux.[4] She is the editor of FINE magazine which she co-founded, releasing the first edition in March 2007.[1][5] Since 2013, she has updated the Christie's World Encyclopedia of Champagne & Sparkling Wine with Tom Stevenson. In his review of the 2019 edition, author Jamie Goode described Avellani's palate as "acclaimed," having a preference for purity and wine produced in an anaerobic environment. He notes she penalises wines with signs of oxidisation or "quirks."[6] Stevenson has described her as "the most naturally gifted Champagne taster I have seen."[7]

As of 2015 she had taught a popular wine tasting course in Tampere for eight years.[8]

Avellani has worked as a judge in the Decanter World Wine Awards, and since 2014 has been one of three judges in the Champagne & Sparkling Wine World Championships.[9][10]

Accolades

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c "Essi Avellan MW". mastersofwine.org. Retrieved 15 July 2024.
  2. ^ Katja, Bäcksbacka (7 September 2006). "Essi Avellan suoritti Master of Wine -tutkinnon". Helsingin Sanomat (in Finnish). Retrieved 15 July 2024.
  3. ^ "Youngest ever MW". Harpers Wine & Spirit. 23 July 2008. Retrieved 15 July 2024.
  4. ^ Wilson, John (29 March 2014). "Superior bubbles for your glass". The Irish Times. pp. C28. Retrieved 15 July 2024.
  5. ^ Lihtonen, Juha (2017). "Fine Ten Years". Fine - The Wine Magazine. p. 17. ISSN 1799-2222. Retrieved 15 July 2024.
  6. ^ Goode, Jamie (7 May 2020). "Review: Christie's World Encyclopedia of Champagne and Sparkling Wine". Wineanorak. Retrieved 15 July 2024.
  7. ^ Arora, Subhash (14 July 2017). "Bronzes for Chandon India at CSWWC London 2017". Indian Wine Academy. Retrieved 15 July 2024.
  8. ^ Honko, Ronja (23 October 2015). "Essi Avellan opettaa samppanjan saloja". Tamperelainen (in Finnish). Archived from the original on 25 October 2015. Retrieved 15 July 2024.
  9. ^ Robinson, Jancis (20 September 2014). "Best champagnes and sparkling wines". Financial Times. Archived from the original on 21 September 2014. Retrieved 12 July 2024.
  10. ^ "The Judges". Champagne & Sparkling Wine World Championships. Retrieved 15 July 2024.
  11. ^ "Ekonomi vie viinin viestiä". University of Turku (in Finnish). Archived from the original on 14 September 2017. Retrieved 15 July 2024.
  12. ^ Tainola, Rita (5 April 2018). "Suomen herra samppanja sai arvokkaan tunnustuksen Ranskasta". Ilta-Sanomat (in Finnish). Retrieved 14 July 2024.