Restaurant Muru has the best wine list in Finland – won three Gold Stars 2021

Restaurant Muru in Helsinki was the big winner when Star Wine List crowned the best wine lists in Finland on 6 September. The restaurant won Gold Stars in three out of the eight categories: Special Jury Prize, Sparkling Wine List – and the prestigious Grand Prix category.

"We feel amazing and privileged to win these awards. We have had good summers, both 2020 and 2021, but of course, the pandemic has hit hard. Luckily we have a good cellar where the wines can improve," says Taneli Lehtonen, Head Sommelier at Muru.

Jury member Marc Almert, Best Sommelier of the World 2019, says:

"It is a well-presented list with a lot of back vintages. Also some nice surprises, and very fair pricing."

The best wine lists in Finland were crowned during Star Wine List of the Year Finland 2021 on 6 September, at a live event during the Finnish sommelier championship – and online. The prizes were handed out by Raimonds Tomsons, Best Sommelier of Europe, and Camilla Lindh from the Star Wine List team.

Restaurant Muru also won Gold Stars in the Sparkling Wine List category, and the Special Jury Prize.

"For the sheer width and depth of the list, plus incredible value on prices," says jury member Véronique Rivest, Best Sommelier of Canada twice, about the Special Jury Prize.

The Silver Star winner in the Grand Prix category was Savoy, also in Helsinki.

In the Special Jury Prize category, these venues won Silver Stars:
Grape Wine Bar, Helsinki
Nolla, Helsinki
Vin-Vin, Helsinki

And, in the Sparkling Wine category, these places won Silver Stars:
Carelia, Helsinki
Demo, Helsinki
Palace, Helsinki
Savoy, Helsinki

The jury for the Finnish event was:
• Marc Almert, Best Sommelier of the World 2019
• Raimonds Tomsons, Best Sommelier of Europe 2017
• Véronique Rivest, Best Sommelier of Canada twice
• Pascaline Lepeltier, Best Sommelier of France 2018

And as our local judge:
• Heidi Mäkinen, Master of Wine and president of the Finnish Sommelier Association

Read more about how we judge Star Wine List of the Year here.