Scott Greenberg, wtop.com

WASHINGTON – While the summer solstice, the longest day of the year, may mark the official start of summer as June 20th this year, Memorial Day weekend kicks off the psychological beginning of the season.

And while I drink white wines just about any time because I really like white wines, the arrival of the summer season just gives me a great excuse to pretend to be vogue.

So if you’re firing up the barbeque this weekend and you’re looking for some fun wines to share with family, friends and neighbors this weekend, here are a couple of really delicious and affordable white wines to consider putting in your frig or on ice.

In the eastern part of Veneto, Italy, there is an area of especially fine vineyards with a wine-making tradition extending back to Roman times. This is home to Cantine Torresella winery, where the temperate climate and clay soils produce some of Italy’s best wines. The 2010 Torresella Pinot Grigio hails from this prestigious pedigree and offers up flavors of white nectarine, ripe peach, Gala apple and Bosch pear all wrapped around a core of acidity and minerality. The finish is crisp and bracing. $10

Torront