Hot Girl Summer? Decidedly yes! But, also, just a very HOT summer with melty temperatures, apocalyptic skies and drenching humidity.

If you have the luxury of being beachside or at plunging in the pool, you might find some relief from the heat. While I have had the pleasure of both, I am also reaching for the quenching and refreshing wines from Rioja.

Although these have traditionally been more focused on oak-aged reds, the Spanish region has begun to shift its attention toward whites (blancos) and roses (rosados) as I noted last year. In fact, I opened up two of these wines this past weekend in Long Beach Island, which were well received by my hosts and paired beautifully with the fajita feast they had prepared.

Hacienda Lopez de Haro – Rioja Rose 2024, Rioja, Spain $12.00
Located in the heart of the Rioja region, this winery Bodegas Lopez de Haro was established in 2003. Their rose Rioja brings together Garnacha and Viura, with the actual blend varying slightly by vintage. The juice generally spends about 24-48 hours in contact with the skins, accounting for the pale onion skin color. On the nose, the wine is fresh, with notes of under-ripe strawberry, slight herbs and a hint of floral. It offers up bright acidity and long length. Not surprisingly, it has continued to garner praise from many tasters and has won previously awards from Decanter World Wine Awards and and the Peñín Guide.