Today is the summer solstice. Today we will see the most daylight in one single day for the year, marking the beginning of summer. Though many of us are already experiencing summer-like days, we are reaching for flavor-packed, refreshing wine options to help cool us down as temperatures rise. If you need a cool-off as the days get hotter, consider one of these tasty options. Cheers to the start of summer!

The Albarino wines from Rias Baixas deliver full-flavored, zesty white wines with stylish Spanish character. With a sustainability focus and dedication to fair treatment of all, Paco and Lola is a cooperative of 400 growers from the Val do Salnés sub-region of Rias Baixas, producing luscious, lively white wines with a fun, whimsical attitude. The polka dot bottle is a testament to that. The Albarino is fresh and bright, opening with layers of white flowers and juicy lemon, followed by crushed stone minerality and a touch of salinity.

High-altitude vineyards along the slopes of the Danube River in Austria ensure cool-climate white varieties lock in acidity as they ripen through the summer. The resulting wines have an energy and fresh, enticing flavor. Wieninger Estate in the heart of Vienna practices biodynamic, sustainable winemaking, allowing Mother Nature’s essence to shine through in every wine. Their vineyards lie on the Bisamberg and Nussberg, with the Danube River in between. One of the signature wines, their Wieninger Nussberg Gruner Veltliner, shines as an ideal example of the refreshing flavor the wines of Austria provide. From two vineyards on the Nussberg, with soils layered in chalky limestone with a touch of clay, the full-bodied wine reveals flavors of lemon-lime, soft herb, wet stone, and a hint of spice with a finish that attractively lingers.

From the iron-rich, sun-drenched volcanic soils of Sicily, Donnafugata Sul Vulcano Etna Bianco is like sunshine in a glass. Made from the white Carricante variety, the well-rounded white wine balanced acidity with ripe-fruit notes, creating a harmonious wine with an easy-drinking style. The wine opens with ripe orchard fruit, like golden apple and pear, leading to herbaceous notes of wild thyme and sagebrush, followed by a refreshing note of minerality that mingles with golden citrus.

Maison Mirabeau Forever Summer Rosé is the wine we want to drink all summer. The name just makes us smile! Made from a blend of predominantly Grenache with Cinsault, Caladoc, and Carignan, the refreshing Rosé with a soft salmon color is juicy and bright. The wine opens with blood orange and lemon blossom aromas, which meld with woody herbs and red fruits. These aromas give way to golden peach, juicy red berries, and citrus with a nice punch of acidity, making it perfect for pairing with fresh summer salads or lightly grilled shellfish and seafood.

The Primitivo grape variety usually produces a hearty, high-alcohol, full-bodied red wine. However, Varvaglione 1921 12 e Mezzo in Italy’s Puglia region is crafting a Primitivo wine with lower alcohol (12.5% instead of the traditional 15% or more) with a lighter profile and palate. From organically grown vines and made in a sustainable style, Varvaglione 1921 organic 12 e Mezzo Primitivo is lush with layers of ripe blue and blackberry, toasted spice, and hints of vanilla. Though the flavor profile does capture the classic notes of Primitivo, there is also a nice freshness, with bright acidity keeping the wine light and approachable from the first sip to the last.

Mencia is Spain’s equivalent to Pinot Noir or Gamay, with a whole lot more. It is an earthy, spicy variety from the Bierzo region near Galicia in the Northern part of the country. Vara Wines Mencia showcases this beautiful variety with a nicely structured, beautifully balanced red wine with personality. The wine opens with sour cherry and red berries with toasted spice and flinty minerality, leading to crushed stone, licorice, and crushed black pepper. Though predominantly made from Mencia, a touch of Grenache and Cabernet Sauvignon are added, lifting the fruity profile while enhancing the wine’s structure and complexity.