Surf n Turf
Text Ilkka Sirén
It’s no secret that most Portuguese wine regions are still unknown for most people. They are even quite unknown for people working in the wine industry.
Ilkka Sirén
Wine Writer
Ilkka Sirén
Wine Writer
Ilkka Sirén is a wine communicator from Helsinki, Finland. His passion for wine started in Brazil, believe it or not, where he lived as a teenager.
Ilkka did his first harvest in the Douro Valley and since then he has been working with some of the most well-known winemakers in Portugal, South Africa and Spain.
After returning to Finland he founded a video blog called ViiniTV (2009-2013) which was voted the best wine blog in Finland. Additionally, Ilkka was shortlisted in the first ever IWSC Blogger of the Year competition in 2012.
Ilkka spends much of his time traveling around the world constantly learning about wine and communicating to his followers the stories behind this great beverage.
He is a passionate communicator but most of all a wine drinker and an aficionado of all things tasty. He is also an Official Sherry Educator certified by the Consejo Regulador de Jerez de la Frontera.
All articles
Ferreira 10-year-old White Port
Text Ilkka Sirén
I live in a city. I grew up in the countryside but couldn’t see myself living anywhere else than the concrete embrace of my city.
Chili con vino (Esporão)
Text Ilkka Sirén
“What do you eat in Finland?” That’s a question I hear a lot.
Azores Wines, Strange Encounters
Text Ilkka Sirén
I like to travel. Who doesn’t, right? But I don’t like flying and I think spending time at airports is inhuman. Yet it’s something we have to endure.
Craving for Crayfish
Text Ilkka Sirén
Yes. It’s that time of the year again. Like every year on 21st of July at noon the crayfishing season starts. And like every year I’m both excited and just a tiny bit scared.
There’s Something About Aveiro
Text Ilkka Sirén
By now I have already lost count of how many times I have visited Portugal. But traveling there for wine mostly has given me a very different kind of view of the country.
Highlights: Midsummer in Portugal
Text Ilkka Sirén
This summer me and my family decided to spend the midsummer in Portugal. It’s usually a period when I really prefer to stay in Finland but the weather here can be a bit of gamble.
The Port Knight Rises
Text Ilkka Sirén
A couple of months ago while having a vacation in Greece I received a letter. A letter signed by Mr. George Sandeman. A letter which was somewhat unexpected.
The Lighthouse Keepers
Text Ilkka Sirén
Let’s just put it out there; winter sucks! Sure snow is nice, winter sports, skiing, Christmas etc. but let’s be honest, Summer was the reason why we humans were put on this Earth.
Summertime Rosé
Text Ilkka Síren
Summer is approaching. At least that’s what they say. We have had a very cool start to the summer season here in Finland.
Let’s Celebrate With Madeira
Text Ilkka Síren
Lovebirds. The most delightful poultry of them all. Sparkling wine has been the lovey-dovey drink of choice since pretty much forever.
If It’s Meant To Be, It’s Meant To Be
Text Ilkka Sirén
It was the summer of 2009. I was working in Bierzo, Spain as a cellar hand / vineyard mule. For me it was like a dream come true.