I don't doubt, that there is better rubber for the northern winters, than what we usually buy here. Actually, I'd be surprised if there wasn't.
Honestly... I don't care, what you put on your car. It's a free world, at least in your and my part of the world.
I'm not trying to convince you of anything and I'm not trying to talk anything down. You simply asked, I answered. Next time, just explicitly say, that you only want to read positive comments. That will make things a lot easier.
No, seriously... I didn't mean to offend you in any way!
And as far as tyre tests go... the ones we get to read here in Germany... they're almost all "influenced" by the various tire companies marketing budgets anyhow. As far as that goes, I'm with you... my dealer recommended the tire to me because he had positive feedback from his customers. If it doesn't cut it once it starts snowing, I'll be back and will have a word with him.
But you're right there too... it's good on cold wet and dry roads.