Welcome to the longest day of the year, otherwise known as the Summer Solstice.  Civilizations and cultures have celebrated this astronomical event for centuries from the bonfires of the Celts, the honoring of Li, the Chinese Goddess of Light to the Pagan rituals including more fires and partying ’til the break of dawn.  If you are a believer in Biodynamics, the summer solstice is also a very important day to a grapevine as, supposedly, the best wines are made up of those grapes from vines that flowered closest to this day.

To my wife, this day is often bittersweet, and she spiritually (not in a Pagan way) LOVEs this time of year.  It’s daylight when she leaves for work in the morning and she can open the blinds without feeling like being in a fishbowl.  Then, when she comes home from work, daylight continues for many more hours that stretches the ability to take a walk, ride the bike or just sit on the patio.  She loves the warm weather and how during this time of year it’s all about being outdoors: picnics, festivals, the swimming pool, you name it.  And we love being outside.  However, sometimes it can be a little TOO hot when you live in the south as it approaches the upper 90’s today.

On these days, we try to stretch our knowledge of wines and look for some refreshing whites we’ve never tried before, whether they be Sauvignon Blanc, White Burgundy, or un-oaked Chardonnay, you name it.  We’ve previously enjoyed a Casal Garcia from Portugal as well as some whites from the Loire Valley, Alsace and California on a recent mountain biking trip.

So, welcome the Summertime with open arms, work on that tan and light some bonfires because starting tomorrow, the days will begin to get shorter… Booo!

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