Alko’s selections include an ever-increasing number of celebrity wines. We decided to test if there is any of them.
Nowadays, it’s almost easier to list the celebrities who DON’T have their own wine than the ones who do. Well, maybe exaggerating a bit, but the fact is that many wines are sold with the faces and names of public figures.
What is interesting is how these wines taste. Is the celebrity wine bought for the midsummer table just a funny joke or really a culinary pleasure?
In Iltalehti’s editorial office, we decided to test nine celebrity wines. We asked a wine writer, trainer and expert to participate in the test Sari Sirénin.
He stated that he had only tasted maybe one celebrity wine, so he also thought the test was very interesting.
White, red, sparkling and rose were selected for the test Lauri from Tähka, From Krisse Salmi, From Sami Kurose, From Tomi Björck, Axle from Herlev, May Day from Pimi, From Samu Haber, Antti from Tuisku mixed Pipsa from Hurmerina and Sikke from Sumari (they share wine).
The wines were tasted blind so that first the whites, sparkling wine, rosé and finally the red wines. Tonka wines of several liters had not had time to cool down properly, but this mistake was not visible in the final result. There may be three liters in the tap package, which takes longer to cool down than a bottle of less than one liter.
Iltalehti’s wine group wishes you a happy Midsummer. ATTE KAJOVA
Sirén stated after the test that all the wines were of relatively good quality and had many tastes. Everyone will find their favorite.
The final result surprised the jury: celebrity wines are mainly high-quality and well-made wines.
Sirén’s comments and points are tallied separately, but his rating is included in the total points for the wine. Sirén and the rest of the jury were on the same lines in their assessments. Only Antti Tuiskun received a significantly better assessment from Sirén than from the rest of the council.
The winner of the wine test is Kuronen Riesling 2021, closely followed by Chef’s Selection Tomi Björck Edition Shiraz 2020.
The wines were evaluated using school grades from four to ten.
1. Kuronen Riesling 2021
Sami Kuronen, white wine, Germany
Price: €12.98 (0.75 l)
Grade: 9½
Comments:
– Fruity, sparkling. Sweet, pleasant, needs a good cooling.
– A lighter and more cheerful case. I guess I fell in love. Heart palpitations.
– The naughty taste could refer to Antti Tuisku. A wonderful wine for a hot day.
– Well, it’s good now! High quality, good balance, pleasant aroma.
Sari Sirén’s assessment:
– Mineral, citrus, lime. Acidic, fresh, balanced, long. Versatile, residual sugar, therefore suitable for Asian-style meals and socializing. Grade: 9
2. Chef’s Selection Tomi Björck Edition Shiraz 2020 tap pack
Tomi Björck, red wine, France
Price: €35.99 (3 l)
Grade: 9+
Comments:
– This has sweetness and jaminess. An easy and pleasant wine that leaves a good first and last impression.
– Magical. Pleasant. I got hungry. Is the grill hot yet?
– And again a good punk. Full, pleasant and soft.
– Dark berry juice color, great! Only a professional can do this.
Sari Sirén’s assessment:
– Blackcurrant, dark berries, soft tannins, spices, mocha, soft jammy, versatile barbecue wine. Grade: 8 ½
3. Naughty Brgr Red Wine Tap Kit
Akseli Herlevi, red wine, Australia
Price: €19.99 (2.25 l)
Grade: 9
Comments:
– Soft, pleasant. This is certainly suitable for many people and for many situations, i.e. a true all-rounder. Would it be someone’s chef’s wine?
– The perfect wine for the gentle hours of Midsummer night. Warm and sweet red wine.
– Oh, now it’s a good tick. Smells lovely. Taste too. The perfect steak wine.
– Now it’s such a classic red wine, easy and a little sweet.
Sari Sirén’s assessment:
– Rich berry, ripe fruit, soft tannic, rich, spicy licorice, smooth, medium length. Grilled food. Grade: 8-
4. May Day Organic Red 2021
May Day Pimiä, red wine, South Africa
Price: €11.89 (0.75 l)
Grade: 8
Comments:
– There is an invigorating spiciness here, even though it is not a particularly strong wine. Some unrecognizable nuance that leaves you wondering.
– This wine requires a good steak. Not a dating wine.
– The color is promisingly rich. This is a really good guy for steak.
– Smoky and tarry smell. Could be a burger guy, but on the other hand, he wouldn’t want the wine to dominate the steak.
Sari Sirén’s assessment:
– Dark berry, spicy, chocolatey, soft tannins, balanced almost jammy berry, medium length. Versatile for grilled food. Grade: 7+
5. The best Viini Ikinä 2021 tap pack
Krisse Salminen, white wine, South Africa
Price: €34.99 (3 l)
Grade: 8-
Comments:
– Sweet, pear-like, strong. Suitable for a summer day properly chilled.
– Tingles on the tongue, fruity. Would miss something to eat as a friend.
– Sweet. Not acidic at all. Suitable for dating. Why not with strawberry.
– Pale color, sweet! It could be Krissen, so it would suit her, the light color could also indicate blonde hair, but you could also have expected something flashier.
Sari Sirén’s assessment:
– Semi-sweet, citrus, good acidity, ripe yellow fruit, apple, peach, balanced, good length. For fried fish and vegetables, summer salads, socializing. Grade: 8+
6. Nekeas Forever Yours Rosé 2020
Samu Haber, rose, Spain
Price: €16.70 (0.75 l)
Grade: 8-
Comments:
– A nice basic rose. There’s a bit of effort here, I could see this on the midsummer table as a light grilled pairing.
– Sweet. Easy. With the power of this, I could go pick the seven flowers of midsummer night under the pillow.
– A bit meaningless, but colder would probably be better. Roses always make me happy.
– A real white wine rosé. No more, the acids rise up the nose.
Sari Sirén’s assessment:
-Raspberry, strawberry, tart, herbal, balanced, long. Hearty salads, chicken skewers. Grade: 7 ½
7. Chef’s Table Sikke & Pipsa Bistro Edition 2020 faucet package
Sikke Sumari and Pipsa Hurmerinta, white wine, France
Price: €35.99 (3 l)
Grade: 7½
Comments:
– Semi-dry, slightly vinegary note. Doesn’t make a strong impression, but I drank a glass.
– I felt small and peppery.
– Sour. It would work with fish and shellfish, as well as summer salads. Not a brilliant find.
– Crisp smell and taste, not to my taste.
Sari Sirén’s assessment:
– Floral, light scent, very acidic and fresh, citrusy, mineral, good balance and length. Fish fried in butter, salads, seafood, socializing. Grade: 8.
8. Salva tu Alma Cava Brut Nature
Lauri Tähkä, sparkling wine, Spain
Price: €19.90 (0.75 l)
Grade: 7+
Comments:
– An exciting combination of playful acids and a watery essence. I can’t really get a good taste of this.
– Good for a dry sparkling wine lover. Would work as a friend for fatty smoked salmon.
– Currant smell, like putting a foaming bomb in your mouth, tingles in a bad way, doesn’t bubble or look like a bubble.
Sari Sirén’s assessment:
– Citrus, herbal, tart, mineral, grapefruit, medium length, balanced. Grade: 8
9. Selected Tuisku 2022
Antti Tuisku, white wine, Spain
Price: €12.48 (1 l)
Grade: 7
Comments:
– Very lukewarm, watery. Even the color is almost clear. Not really a taste. I know that Tuisku’s wine. Sporty light.
– Great taste and feel.
– Pretty weak and tasteless. Nothing really to say.
– A pear scent, but this is water. So sad that Antti Tuisku’s wine is so weak. I recognized the wine, for I have drunk it.
Sari Sirén’s assessment:
– Citrusy, tart, floral, green apple, snappy structure, long. Grilled fish and shellfish, socializing. Grade: 8 ½
A Finnwatch report published in March revealed human rights violations in South African wineries. One of the most egregious violations of human rights is W+E Dreyer Boerdery, whose farms produce red wines branded by Sami Kuronen and Vappu Pimiä. Lauri Tähkä, on the other hand, was charged with a sexual crime at the beginning of June. The accusation does not affect the wine cooperation, at least for the time being.