Essi Avellan MW is a Champagne specialist, journalist, educator and wine judge. She has authored several wine books and is a jury member at the Champagne & Sparkling Wine World Championships.
Recent contributions
01
FeaturesThe Collection
Champagne: the significance of disgorgement
In the last of her reflections following the publication of her 2022 Champagne Report, Essi Avellan MW considers the importance of a complex but integral topic: disgorgement
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02
FeaturesThe Collection
The movers and shakers among Champagne’s grandes marques
Essi Avellan MW selects the standout performers from our inaugural Champagne Report, highlighting welcome developments at familiar names, and eye-catching progress at less vaunted houses
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03
FeaturesThe Collection
Champagne vintages to buy now
On the basis of our 2022 Champagne Report, lovers of fizz have a wealth of years to choose from among the current offerings. But with prices on the up for the most vaunted vintages, best to stock up soon, says Essi Avellan MW
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04
FeaturesThe Collection
The return of Champagne Charlie
To celebrate the bicentenary of the birth of Charles-Camille Heidsieck, the Champagne house has revived the much-loved Champagne Charlie bottling - but this time it's going blended, reports Essi Avellan MW
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All contributions
FeaturesThe Collection
Maisons and Mémoires: A new era for Champagne Henriot
Its heritage is without equal, but its recent history has been troubled. Essi Avellan MW visits a revived Champagne Henriot as the house delves into its cellar for a spectacular library release
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FeaturesThe Collection
New fizz on the block: meet the experimental grower Champagne producers
The grower Champagne revolution shows no sign of slowing, with a wealth of confident, experimental producers challenging traditional lore through an increased focus on single-vineyard wines. Essi Avellan MW pays a visit to six of them
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Features
Still wines from Champagne – fizz’s final frontier
A wave of new releases from some of Champagne’s most famous houses – and growers – is shifting attention away from the region’s fizz and on to its still wines. Essi Avellan MW explores the world of Coteaux Champenois
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Features
The best new Champagnes for Christmas and New Year
In her round-up of the best Champagne launches from the second half of the year, Essi Avellan MW picks out friends old and new
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Features
Top ten new Champagnes: Essi Avellan MW’s verdict
The 2012 vintage stands with the finest of the century so far, our expert says of the latest Champagne launches
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Features
Is this the way to a more ethical caviar?
Once the epitome of conspicuous consumption by a wealthy elite, caviar is now harnessing more sustainable methods of production that are broadening the delicacy's reach, suggests Essi Avellan MW
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