The Queen of the North - A Historic Win for Nordic Winemaking
March 25, 2025
Ainoa Winery’s Kuningatar wine has achieved a remarkable victory at the prestigious Vinalies Internationales competition in France. It is the first Nordic wine – and the first fruit wine in the world – to be awarded the highest distinction, a Grand Gold medal.
Vinalies Internationales is a highly respected international wine competition organized annually by the Union des Œnologues de France. This year, 2,684 wines from 550 producers across 37 countries competed. Finnish Ainoa Kuningatar 2021 received an impressive 94 points out of 100, securing its place among the best wines in the world. It was the only wine from the Nordic region to receive an award.
From the Finnish Terroir to the World Stage
The name Kuningatar, meaning Queen in Finnish, is fitting for this exceptional Nordic wine, which brings together the beloved flavors of blueberry and raspberry. The wine has previously been awarded Gold medals at Vinalies in 2020 (vintage 2017) and 2023 (vintage 2020).
The success of Kuningatar – and all Ainoa’s other award-winning wines – is due to the quality of the fruit, combined with the classic winemaking techniques used that allow the terroir and year-to-year variations in weather to influence the finished wine. The blueberries are sourced from Lapland, while the raspberries are grown at Uotila Farm in Kärkölä and Väänäsen Marjat Farm in Mikkeli. The wine is crafted in Hollola, where Ainoa has built its state-of-the-art winery and relies upon more than twenty years of winemaking expertise.
This victory is not just a single achievement but a taste of the future for Nordic wines.
"We want more people to recognize that world-class wines are being made right here in Finland, using pristine berries that have evolved to thrive in our northern climate. We have succeeded in creating unique fruit wines that still exhibit all the hallmarks of classic fine wines," says winemaker David Cohen.
Growth and International Expansion
Ainoa Winery has been in operation for over a decade and has solidified its position as an internationally recognized winery.
"We are actively seeking importers abroad to distribute our wines. This year, our goal is to expand our team and increase production capacity so that we can bring these unique flavors to an even larger audience of wine enthusiasts," says CEO Paola Guerrero de Cohen.
An Authentic Finnish Taste
Nordic fruit wines pair well with a wide variety of foods to offer one-of-a-kind tasting experiences. Kuningatar is a dark red, sweet, medium-acidic wine. Its blueberry and raspberry flavors are complemented by hints of forest berries and jam, making it a perfect corporate gift that highlights its Finnish origins.
"Kuningatar is an excellent choice for spring celebrations. It pairs beautifully with berry-based desserts such as brita, strawberry or chocolate cakes. It also adds an incredible flair when served with savory dishes like spicy sausages or pepperoni pizza!" Cohen suggests.
Ainoa Kuningatar 2021 is available in select fine dining restaurants across Finland and Sweden. It can also be purchased at Alko and Systembolaget.