10 Wines for Memorial Day

Dear WSJ Wine fans, we made it! Memorial Day is finally upon us, which means summer is basically on our doorstep, and from here on out, it’s nothing but tan lines, good times and figuring out which wine to uncork next. 

Okay, we may be simplifying a little bit…or a lot of bits. But it’s easy to dream when we’ve got so many sunshine-ready bottlings on hand. 

From thirst-quenching whites and party-starting sparklers, to favorite reds and large format options perfect for get-togethers, our cellar is packed with selections that’ll ensure this Memorial Day weekend (and the summer ahead) is a delicious one.

As usual, feel free to give us a call or shoot us an email for the lowdown on any and all of the wines in our range. We’d love to hear from you! For now, keep scrolling to discover a few of our top picks to kick off the season.

Light Reds for Memorial Day

Love red wine but dread the idea of sipping a go-to blockbuster on a hot day? That’s when light reds come in handy. More delicate in flavor and well-suited to a little chill, light reds are easy-drinking, refreshing pours you can happily swirl all long-weekend long.   

w/o Frappato 2023

For being lighter in style, this Sicilian drop sure does pack a punch, offering floral-tinged berry and cherry flavors across a nice long finish. It’s also got pretty cool packaging: Its bottle is crafted from green-tinted, recycled ‘Wild Glass’ sealed with a sustainable cork and has minimal labeling that ensures it’s easy to recycle again, once you’re done.

Purple Owl Pinot Noir 2023

This California Pinot is a great value and consistent bestseller, beloved for its vibrant black cherry and raspberry flavors, and violet nuances. To up its lip-smacking quotient, pop the bottle in the fridge for 20–30 minutes and try it just slightly chilled.  

Best Rosé for Memorial Day

Nothing says sunshine and leisure time quite like pink wine. So last, but not least, let’s talk rosé. Here are our two favorite rosés for Memorial Day.

Domaine du Mas Ensoleillé Rosé 2024

Made in Provence, France (aka the rosé capital of the world), this Memorial Day wine has the bright spirit of summer built right in: ensoleillé is French for “sunny.” Expect delicate strawberry aromas and a palate of red berry, orange zest and passion fruit flavors. 

Field of Stones Marlborough Rosé 2022

Named for the stone-strewn Wairau River Valley from which its grapes were grown, this light-bodied New Zealand rosé clocks in at just 9.5% ABV and offers zippy and ultra-fresh flavors of ripe strawberry, red cherry and citrus along a mineral backbone.