Dmitry Frolov wins Best Sommelier of Finland for the second year in a row
On 17 March 2025, the Finnish Sommelier Association hosted the Best Sommelier of Finland competition, alongside the Star Wine List of the Year Finland awards. For the second year on the trot, the title has gone to Dmitry Frolov of Helsinki restaurant BRASA.
Dmitry Frolov, known as Dima, is now the two-time Best Sommelier of Finland. During a fierce competition, he took the title ahead of Natalie Hayashi of Restaurant Muru, who finished in second place, and Aino Tuomikoski of Baskeri & Basso, at the Peloton Cycling Eatery in Helsinki.
The day before the final, five semi-finalists were put through a blind tasting, a one-hour theory test and two practical tasks. During the final, the top three contestants completed a full organoleptic analysis of a set of wines, recommending food to pair with them. They then made a non-alcoholic cocktail, serving it alongside a glass of Champagne to two guests with Italian snacks on the side. Then came the traditional test of pouring two bottles of sparkling wine into a set number of glasses, achieving an even pour without returning to any glass more than once.
The semi-finalists also included Johan Lindström (Palace) and Kelvin Tse (Vinkkeli).
Have you caught up on the winners of Star Wine List of the Year Finland 2025? Take a look.
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