National Wine Day In Arlington: Great Memorial Day Options

National Wine Day is Saturday, and while it’s not entirely clear how the unofficial holiday came to be, it doesn’t mean Arlington residents won’t be celebrating appropriately. The holiday coincides with Memorial Day, when many friends and loved ones will be out grilling and lighting sparklers, so we decided to round up a few wines to help you celebrate properly.

There’s little doubt that Americans have an affinity for booze. The typical American drank 2.94 gallons of wine in 2016, the latest year for which data was available, according to the Wine Institute. That was up from 2.87 in 2015. In all, 949 million gallons of wine were consumed.

While that may sound like a lot, consider this: Nationwide, county-level data from 2012 found that about 56 percent of Americans ages 21 and older said they’d imbibed an adult beverage in the last month. Furthermore, about 18 percent said they’d engaged in binge drinking during that period. (That year, the typical American consumed 2.78 gallons of wine.)

And in Arlington, 70 percent of residents that year said they’d imbibed in alcohol within the last month, while 20 percent said they engaged in binge drinking. So we know at least some of you might be having some vino Saturday.

Fortunately, the folks at Total Wine recommended 15 wines this year that they say are perfect for summer. Each costs no more than $15, so you won’t have to break the budget. The site also tells you where to grab a bottle or two.

Here are some of the group’s top wine recommendations:

La Vostra Prosecco
“Immerse yourself in the juicy, irresistible flavors of apple, white peach and fragrant honeysuckle with La Vostra Prosecco. This inviting, bubbly sipper appeals to even the most selective sparkling enthusiast. Enjoy at all special occasions or casual gatherings alike!”
Mina Mesa Cabernet Sauvignon
“This smooth and well-balanced Cabernet represents the passion of 7th-generation grower Troy Javadi. Troy puts his heart and soul into tending the land, caring for the vines and farming the highest-quality grapes for this delicious crowd-pleasing wine.”
Chateau Tour de Bonnet
“Starts with classic Sauvignon floral and fruit aromas. Semillon rounds out the wine and a little Muscadelle adds lovely aromatics. Crisp and dry but with vibrant fresh fruit. A special bottling from Chateau Bonnet, dedicated to its distinctive tower.”
Chateau Fabregues Costieres de Nimes
“The nose is delicious, with strawberry aromas. It is supple in the mouth with a very nice finish. This rose makes a superb aperitif. Its fruitiness and freshness will enhance your vegetable dishes, as well as spicy ones. A very nice rose waiting to be discovered.”
Val Do Sosego Albarino Rias
"Racy orange peel and melon aromas set the stage for a well-formed palate with good acidity, freshness and balance. Lightly briny white fruit flavors are textbook for Albarino, while a note of green herbs rises up on a popping finish..."

Your turn: Tell us, what will you be drinking on National Wine Day? Tell us in the comments!

Patch national staffer Dan Hampton contributed to this report.