Essi Avellan

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.

Biography
Avellani was born in 1975/1976.

She holds a Master of Science degree in Business Administration. While studying for the degree, she became interested in wine working at a Finnish owned château in Bordeaux. She is the editor of FINE magazine which she co-founded, releasing the first edition in March 2007. 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." Stevenson has described her as "the most naturally gifted Champagne taster I have seen."

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

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.

Accolades

 * 2011: Alumnus of the year for the Turku School of Economics
 * 2018: Knight rank in Order of Agricultural Merit