



Gramona and Vindirekt are proud to present the first Finnish edition of the amuse-bouche contest. The 2021 edition of the contest consists of creating an Amuse-Bouche that is designed to be paired with the Gramona Imperial Brut
RULES
HOW DOES IT WORK?
After filling the registration form on-line, each participant will receive a bottle of Gramona Imperial to help the creation of the amuse-bouche.
Each participant is required to send a picture, concept idea and the recipe of their creation to take part in the contest. The decision to publish the appetizer on the website is voluntary but mandatory to be able to be voted by the public.
Participants will remain anonymous until the final competition.
Ten (10) finalists will be selected invited to recreate and present their plate in front of the jury.
The final competition will take place in Helsinki in May.
Exact date will be announced in April 2021 and will be held according to Covid -19 restrictions at the time being.
Only restaurants and hotels in Finland can participate, registrations from individuals and freelancers are not processed. Only one application per company will be accepted.
CALENDAR
January 1st – February 28th
Registration for the Gramona Amuse Contest
Sign up by the end of February for the First Finish Gramona Amuse Contest.
We will then send you a bottle of Gramona Imperial to inspire your Amuse Bouche.
January 1st – February 28th
Create the perfect Amuse Bouche
Get creative and create an Amuse Bouche that is a perfect match for the Gramona Imperial. To participate, you must upload all the required information about your creation by the end of February (details will follow via e-mail).
March 8th – April 8th
Public Online-Voting
The public online voting will take place from the first of March until the end of March. Share your Amuse Bouche in your community and collect votes. The Amuse Bouche with the most votes is automatically qualified for the grand final.
April 9th
Announcing the winner of the Public Online-Voting
We will publish the winner of the public online voting on the website at the beginning of April.
April 9th - April 24th
Jury chooses the Top 9
The top-class jury evaluates different factors of the submitted Amuse Bouche creations. The nine participants with the most jury points will move on to the grand final of the First Finnish Gramona Amuse Contest.
April 25th
Communication of the Top 9
The finalists will be announced on the website.
May 2021
LIVE-FINALE
On May 2021* the grand finale of the Gramona Amuse Contest will take place in Helsinki. The top nine competitors with the winner of the public online voting will create their Amuse Bouches live on-site and present them to the jury. The winner will be announced on the final day.
*The exact date will be announced in April
About theORGANIZERS
Gramona is a historic sparkling wine producer in the heart of Penedès (Barcelona), known for their long aging and gastronomic wines. The Gramona family has been making wines with character and personality which reflect the identity of their region and the land for over 130 years. Their work is a challenge, a constant commitment, and a family honour, respecting a tradition of excellence handed down through five generations to the sixth generation of today.
Vindirekt is a wine importing company based in Helsinki and is privately owned by the founder since 1998. Vindirekt was the first company in Finland to import allocated, rare wines. The portfolio focus today is still on exceptionally high quality wines, from all around the world.
For the list of producers please click here.www.vindirekt.fi
PRIZES
1st
A trip for 2 nights and 2 people to Barcelona including flight and hotel.
A visit to Gramona, the cellar, vineyards, a very well-kept wine-food tasting.
A fully catered dinner for 2 people in Michelin-Star Restaurant.
50% discount on the Gramona Gran Reserva ‘Imperial’ Brut for 3 months.
2nd
A trip for 2 people to Barcelona including flight.
A visit to Gramona, the vineyards and an extensive tapas lunch with the Cava’s of Gramona in the basement.
25% discount on the Gramona Gran Reserva ‘Imperial’ Brut for 3 months.
3rd
A fully catered dinner for 2 people at a Michelin-Star restaurant in Finland.
25% discount on the Gramona Gran Reserva ‘Imperial’ Brut for 3 months.
4th to 10th
10% discount on the Gramona Gran Reserva ‘Imperial’ Brut during 3 months.
JURY 2021

Mikko Reinikka
Mikko Reinikka is editor-in-chief of Pintxo, Finnish food & culture magazine. He is the founder and the head of the jury of Tamperrada pintxo competition. Tamperrada started first time in 2013 and it is now the biggest restaurant festival in Finland. He is also a founder of two private cooking clubs: the Helsinki Gourmetclub and the Tampere Gourmetclub.

Samuil Angelov
Samuil Angelov is internationally awarded and Finland´s most decorated Sommelier. Samuil also works as a restarateur in restaurant´s Muru and Pastis. Among many other things, Samuil works actively in the board of ASI and Finnish Sommelier Assosiation.

Essi Avellan
Essi Avellan is Finland’s first Master of Wine. Recognized as a champagne and sparkling wine specialist, Avellan is the author of several wine books, including Essi Avellan’s Champagne and Matka Champagneen. She has also revised and extended the 3rd and 4th edition of Tom Stevenson’s award-winning Christie’s World Encyclopedia of Champagne and Sparkling Wine.

Heidi Mäkinen MW
Heidi became the Best Sommelier of Finland and the second in Chaîne des Rôtisseur’s Jeunes Sommeliers of the World in 2015, and the eight Best Sommelier of the World in 2016. She was selected as one of The Future 50 by WSET and IWSC in 2019 and is currently the President of the Finnish Sommelier Association. Heidi teaches WSET at all levels, judges in various international wine competitions and gives presentations around the world.

Xavier Gramona
Xavier Gramona Sande was born into a family dedicated to agriculture and production of cava. He has involved in the harvest until he turned 16 years old, after that he was away from his family and returned when he became 35.
During this time he studied Business Sciences – ESADE Barcelona, and also at MSc London Business School.
After 10 years in the business world, he returns to take over the family winery.
He studied Winemaking at INCAVI in Vilafranca del Penedès and at the UPC-Barcelona where he completed a Master in Aromas
Today he is Vice President of Gramona and President AVEC – CORPINNAT

Tomi Björck
Tomi Björck is Finland’s most cherished restaurateur and celebrity chef. With 11 restaurants in Finland, Sweden and Australia, 17 television series, five cookbooks, and a resume spanning some of the finest restaurants in Spain, London, Helsinki, Stockholm, and Sydney – he’s making his mark in Australia and beyond. While Tomi’s roots are firmly planted in fine dining, creating unique food and dining culture is his passion. He travels the world in search of new tastes, new ingredients and exciting experiences. With a focus on social eating and local produce, each of his 11 restaurants is completely different.

Heidi Mäkinen MW
Heidi became the Best Sommelier of Finland and the second in Chaîne des Rôtisseur’s Jeunes Sommeliers of the World in 2015, and the eight Best Sommelier of the World in 2016. She was selected as one of The Future 50 by WSET and IWSC in 2019 and is currently the President of the Finnish Sommelier Association. Heidi teaches WSET at all levels, judges in various international wine competitions and gives presentations around the world.

Xavier Gramona
Xavier Gramona Sande was born into a family dedicated to agriculture and production of cava. He has involved in the harvest until he turned 16 years old, after that he was away from his family and returned when he became 35.
During this time he studied Business Sciences – ESADE Barcelona, and also at MSc London Business School.
After 10 years in the business world, he returns to take over the family winery.
He studied Winemaking at INCAVI in Vilafranca del Penedès and at the UPC-Barcelona where he completed a Master in Aromas
Today he is Vice President of Gramona and President AVEC – CORPINNAT
OTHER EDITIONS
Gramona Amuse was born three years ago in the Netherlands as a food & wine pairing competition that promoted cheffs and sommeliers to join forces and imagination to create.
Gramona Amuse creates a frame in which cheffs and somms can prove themselves by breaking gastronomic standards and blending their own personalities with the style of the wines of Gramona
Outcome of first editions was very enlightening. Delicate and subtile, sumptuous and eclectic, local and fusion styles were presented in perfect harmony with Gramona’s balanced wines.
Envisioning the success, Gramona decided to extend the contest to other gastronomic plazas to keep exploring potential and empowering the European food & wine already rich culture.

1st award Netherlands 2017
Restaurant Vinkles

1st award Switzerland 2020
Restaurant dasRestaurant