The Finnish summer is short and light in snowfall. So with temperatures rising to almost 20 Celsius, it was time to open a couple summery whites and get a sunburn. Or wind burn from the chilly wind from the north. Difficult to say here.
Txomin Etxaniz Txakoli 2015 - Hondarrabi Zuri; 11% abv; c.18€
Delightfully neutral, lightly leesy and very mineral (whatever that means) smell; very slight spritz, high acid, but surprisingly rich and approachable for a Txakoli. Perhaps a vintage to convert those who usually find it too shrill? Very attractive and moreish. Must find more.
Cantina Terlan Vorberg Riserva 2013 - Pinot Bianco; 14% abv; c.30€
Hight toned floral and spicy aromas coupled to something steely - nothing neutral about this PB; rich but steely and racy, high in acid, very concentrated. This was so spicy and rich that for once I can understand the geneticists when they say that the Pinots are all one: had you told me this was a dry, elegant style of Pinot Gris and I'd have said it's a beautiful example of that grape. Lovely wine and rich enough that is perhaps a more suitable wine for such "summer" temperatuers. This is reputed to age well and I can certainly see why the producer says that in good years 20 years is no problem.