This post is an informative journalistic coverage of a PR event with editorial & reportage elements that do not aim to promote any business, organisation, product or service.
Today - on the day of publication- I am a member of Ruokatoimittajat ry (Finnish Food Writers' Association), and attended this PR event as a food writer (not as an influencer).
22 September 2025 - Sofia, Helsinki
If you had wandered into Sofia in Helsinki on this day, you might have caught a sneak peek of this autumn and the upcoming winter in a glass. Anora’s media preview, part of the larger Helsinki Uncorked portfolio tasting, was a curated corner for journalists to discover the novelties launching for the season ahead.
The space hummed with quiet excitement - light buzzing, glasses clinking, and tables lined with everything from crisp whites to festive spirits. Here’s what caught my attention:
Photo by © Reka Csulak - Three Pod Studio
Glöggs
Anora’s glögg line-up stole the show:
- Blossa 2025 Alperna: the headline of the season. The first-ever Blossa Annual made with red wine (15% ABV), flavoured with spruce tips, bitter orange peel, juniper, and citrus zest. Think Alpine forest in a glass—bold, warming, and unapologetically strong.
- Jaloviina Glögi: a white wine-based glögg (20% ABV), blending the iconic Jaloviina with winter spices. Smooth and comforting.
- Blossa Pumpkin Spice: an alcohol free nod to early autumn, infused with pumpkin spice, extending the glögg season beyond the usual December window.
- Jouluglögi Vadelma: playful and tart, a raspberry-infused Christmas glögg, showing Anora’s flair for innovation.
- Other classics: Blossa, Perinteinen, Tähtiglögi, Wintertal, and Blomberg’s, covering white, red, organic, and alcohol-free options.
Photo by © Reka Csulak - Three Pod Studio
Photo by © Reka Csulak - Three Pod Studio
Seasonal Spirits & Liqueurs
The winter spirit line-up was all about flavour and contrast. Cream liqueurs, spiced spirits, and clever branding made it clear: Finnish winter doesn’t have to taste predictable:
- Koskenkorva range: Winter Berries, Cream Gingerbread, Cream Strawberry Ice Cream, Viina Metsämarja, Minttu Chocko Vanilla, Minttu, Salmiakki Minttu.
- Jaloviina Kerma: a nostalgic nod dressed in creamy form.
- Leijona: with a zesty ginger & lemon flavour, designed for winter shots or mixers.
- Loch Lomond Heavily Peated – for those who prefer smoke by the fireplace.
- Barracuda Winter Spiced: characterisic rum with warming spices in a sleek package.
Photo by © Reka Csulak - Three Pod Studio
Bubbles & Wines
While the focus was on seasonal spirits, a few sparkling, white, and red wines rounded out the tasting. Crisp, aromatic whites and playful Proseccos highlighted freshness and versatility, while the reds brought depth and bold character. Anora’s portfolio proved vast—from Italian Prosecco and French Crémants to approachable Rieslings, vibrant Sauvignon Blancs, and elegant, food-friendly reds from Europe, the Americas, and beyond.
The 2025 sparkling highlights are fresh, lively, and made for celebration:
- Le Contesse Prosecco Extra Dry (Italy) – crisp and fruit-forward with pear, apple, and citrus. The kind of bottle that feels instantly festive.
- FiorAmore Prosecco Rosé Extra Dry (Italy) – delicate and floral; a new pink twist for light dishes and aperitivo hours.
- Blue Nun Chardonnay Brut (France) – elegant bubbles with a glow-in-the-dark label. Playful marketing meets classic winemaking.
- Haut-Mouleyre Crémant de Bordeaux Brut (France) – dry, refined, and layered with nectarine and brioche. One of the best value finds of the lineup.
- Codorníu Barcelona 1872 Organic Brut (Spain) – organic cava with Gaudí-inspired design. Clean, fresh, and ready for year-round toasting.
- Jaume Serra Cava Brut Winter Edition (Spain) – sharp, citrusy, and dressed for the season in its pale gold “winter” bottle.
This year’s whites focused on freshness, sustainability, and expressive packaging:
- Rapaura Springs Bull Paddock Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc (New Zealand) – vivid tropical notes, crisp acidity, and the familiar Marlborough clarity.
- River Terrace Sauvignon Blanc (New Zealand) – another clean-lined tetra-pack innovation with Sustainable Winegrowing certification.
- Wongraven Morgenstern Riesling (Germany) – a mineral-driven dry Riesling by Satyricon’s Sigurd Wongraven, now a Nordic cult classic.
- Blue Nun Riesling (Germany) – back in the lineup in a 3 L format — peachy, easy-drinking, and timelessly popular.
- Frida Organic Blanco (Spain) – soft, slightly sweet, and friendly, made for casual gatherings and Asian dishes.
- Trapiche Reserve Chardonnay (Argentina) – rich, oaked, and winter-ready, ideal with poultry or holiday fish.
The reds offered depth, elegance, and bold character:
- 19 Crimes collection (Australia) – always theatrical, this year featuring the Halloween-ready “Frankenstein” and “Bride” limited editions with a glowing label design.
- Ruby Zin Zinfandel (Italy) – jammy, round, and unapologetically indulgent.
- Il Polavoro Primitivo (Italy) – warm, dark, and comforting.
- Wongraven Langfyller (France) – earthy, structured, and one of the most complex reds of the tasting.
- Rock ’n’ Roll series – eye-catching labels for a youthful crowd; the wines inside deliver solid everyday quality.
Walking from table to table, I felt the tension between tradition and innovation. Classic glögg recipes stood proudly alongside bold seasonal twists. Spirits hinted at cosy winter evenings, while lighter wines promised sunny moments on chilly autumn days. It felt like a storytelling exercise in our glasses — each sip revealing a glimpse of the coming season. If the main Helsinki Uncorked was the marketplace, this PR corner was the atelier: curated, elegant, and designed to make food writers buzz. I left already picturing which bottles might join my festive table — or find their way into a recipe for this year’s showstoppers.
Anora’s message this season is simple yet memorable: make festive moments personal — whether that’s glögg by candlelight, bubbles with friends, or a creamy cocktail after skiing. It’s storytelling through flavour, where Nordic roots meet global rhythm. And as the last glass shimmered under Sofia’s lights, I couldn’t help but think — this winter might just sparkle a little brighter.
Thank you so much to Sari Salmela - PR & Communications Manager, for inviting me to this event. I also appreciate the opportunity for the versatile tasting and the insightful conversations with Anora's experts at Helsinki's Sofia today.
You can see more insights and photos on my Instagram.
Photo by © Reka Csulak - Three Pod Studio
Photo by © Reka Csulak - Three Pod Studio
Photo by © Reka Csulak - Three Pod Studio
Photo by © Reka Csulak - Three Pod Studio
Photo by © Reka Csulak - Three Pod Studio
Photo by © Reka Csulak - Three Pod Studio
Photo by © Reka Csulak - Three Pod Studio
Photo by © Reka Csulak - Three Pod Studio
Photo by © Reka Csulak - Three Pod Studio
DISCLOSURE
The organiser has not set any special criteria and has not initiated any financial/alternative compensation that would require the creation of any written or visual content related to this PR event nor the promotion of any products/services in exchange for attendance - but I decided to share my experience anyway as I think you'd enjoy exclusive insights from my recent gastro adventure. Any PR products/samples/food, drink/services/raffle prizes handed out by the organisers, other participants or exhibitors (if applicable) were not a form of compensation, nor part of an exchange agreement.
❗️Remember to drink responsibly, and that you must be over the minimum legal drinking age of your country. ❗️
