Celebrate Memorial Day with These 12 Outstanding Wines Under $40

Sonoma Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, Mendocino Zinfandel, Provence rosé and more feature in new reviews of impressive global wines that scored 90 points or more

Vini Franchetti-Passopisciaro's vines in Sicily, Italy.
Sicily's Vini Franchetti-Passopisciaro carries on the impressive legacy of its late founder, Andrea Franchetti, with a range of standout Etna wines. (Courtesy of Vini Franchetti-Passopisciaro)

As Memorial Day weekend approaches, sunny weather and outdoor dining beckon. In our latest Tasting Highlights lineup, explore 12 exceptional white, rosé and red wines that scored 90 points or more on our 100-point scale. Whether you're enjoying light snacks, eagerly awaiting lunch from a sizzling grill or seeking pairings for a flavorful dinner, these wines serve as delightful companions.

Having a variety of white wines at a cookout can be useful, both for refreshment or for pairing with subtler grilled entrees like planked swordfish, zesty shrimp or herbed chicken on a bed of greens. Vibrant Chardonnays, medium-bodied Italian whites and lip-smacking Alvarinhos are fantastic options here. Beyond white wines, refreshing and pale pink rosés are equally appropriate for these dishes, particularly those that offer herbal and minerally characteristics.

This lineup includes the Rivers-Marie Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast 2022, the top scorer, a focused red with juicy pomegranate, tea and floral notes. Read on to get our score and full tasting note for this wine and 11 others!

Tasting Highlights' wine reviews are fresh out of the tasting room, offering a sneak peek of our editors' most recent ratings—including scores and full tasting notes—to WineSpectator.com members.

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