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Essi Avellan’s personal champagne site offers you a brand new source of unbiased champagne opinions. Discover Essi’s vast library of recent tasting notes, Essi’s blog, essential champagne information, latest news, as well as the results of the champagne awards to which her palate has contributed.
About Essi
My palate is one for purity, elegance and vivacity. Regarding champagne, I love what is in the glass but I also love what lies beyond. Champagne is an intriguingly complex and diverse region. A world of luxury and a truly fine wine. Still, where champagne is, fun begins. But knowing more makes it even greater fun. This is the Essence of Champagne.Essi Avellan
Essi has a mind like a steel trap! And she is uniquely qualified. Of all the Champagne specialists I know, Essi is the best and most consistent taster I have encountered, and I have tasted thousands of Champagnes with her, so that is no throwaway statement.Tom Stevenson, wine writer and champagne specialist
One senses a new voice – convincing, precise, analytical and mercifully free of dogmatic judgment masquerading as incontrovertible truth. Put another way, Avellan wears her knowledge and authority lightly, born of quiet self-confidence in the accuracy of her own palate, which is one of the best in the effervescence world.Michael Edwards, wine writer and champagne specialist
In every sip of champagne you can taste a piece of history, culture, terroir and the person behind the wine. To me, this effervescent charmeur is the finest wine on earth. Champagne’s inviting image belies a multi-faceted region and an exceptional amount of human skill in the making. Hence my belief that understanding champagne makes us appreciate it even more. Thirsting to know more and more, to dig deeper and deeper into its secrets, I welcome you to join me for a bubbly tour of Champagne and champagnes.
À la Essi
- Bollinger has lots to toast to with its novel La Grande Année 2018sThis week is all about celebration at Champagne Bollinger, which is inaugurating its new barrel cellar in Aÿ, toasting the occasion with the newly released 2018 vintage of La Grande Année and La Grande Année Rosé. The 2018 harvest was the first full vintage under CEO Charles-Armand de Belenet, who swiftly set in motion a …
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- Fred’s tree – Planting an oak tree at Ruinart in honour of Frédéric PanaïotisOn 9 March 2026, under a gentle spring sun in the gardens of Champagne Ruinart in Reims, a cork oak tree was planted in honour of Frédéric Panaïotis. The gesture was simple, but deeply meaningful: a living tribute to a man whose work and spirit left a lasting mark on the world of champagne. The …
Read more “Fred’s tree – Planting an oak tree at Ruinart in honour of Frédéric Panaïotis”
- Grand Champagne Helsinki Master Class: The art of dosageThe wait is almost over — Grand Champagne Helsinki is just around the corner Grand Champagne Helsinki will be here again! Bubbles fill the Old Student House in April 23rd to 25th, bringing together champagne lovers, gourmands, and top names in the industry. The three-day event features experts sharing their know-how, passion, and champagnes. In …
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