Wines of the week: 7 wines for a bank holiday

Fingers crossed we’re in for good weather for the last long weekend of the year, so whatever your tipple is, raise a glass to that

After a couple of weeks of intermittent rain and cloud for many of us, at the time of writing, the forecast for the bank holiday weekend looks decent so we might be thinking of a barbecue or at least eating outside over the next three days; it might be the last chance for a while, unless we get an Indian summer.

However, even to broach the subject of weather forecasts is both, tempting fate and the curse on midweek deadlines. So in choosing our weekend wines, we need to be prepared for whatever is in store, whether its rain or shine, hail or gale, and be able to get hold of them relatively easily at short notice.

Firstly, a couple of sparklers to get the party started, indoors or out… as I’ve said before, French crémant is a great alternative to most prosecco for just a little more outlay and it is a lovely, refreshing drink for a late summer evening in the garden.

The L’Extra par Langlois Brut NV Crémant​ de Loire (£14.99 or £9.99 if bought as part of mixed six-bottle purchase majestic.co.uk) is, as all crémant, made with the champagne method and in this case, Langlois is owned by Bollinger, which ensures tradition and a certain quality.

It is also made with chenin blanc, which gives an extra richness and vivacity to the apple and pear flavours and a certain golden quality that might just suggest autumn ahead. If you are after something a little more special, for fishy canapes or maybe some scallops, prawns or lobster on the barbecue griddle, then the Jansz Premium Rose NV (£19.50 ocado.com; £21.99 selfridges.com; various independents) will fit the bill. Made from a combo of red grapes in Tasmania, again using the traditional method, this is very dry, with lots of clean, red fruit flavours.

Now for a couple of refreshing, perky whites, both of which are terrific value for money and guaranteed crowd pleasers: if you believe the Marlborough area of New Zealand was only about sauvignon blanc, then think again: the Co-op Irresistible Marlborough Pinot Grigio (£7.50 coop.co.uk) shows how they can transform the sometimes bland Italian staple into a zesty, slightly spicy, mouth-filling stunner, full of flavours of lychees and nuts. Excellent with salads, goat’s cheese or a butterflied and grilled mackerel.

That’s not to say all Italian whites are a little on the limp side – the Villa Pani Terri Di Chieti Pecorino (£8.00 Marks and Spencer; not available online) from the relatively rare pecorino grape (nothing to do with the cheese) from the Abruzzo region, has bright, crisp pear and citrus flavours with a lingering finish.

Unless we get that Indian summer, there won’t be many more evenings to enjoy an ice-cold rosé, so make the most of it this weekend: I’ve made loads of different rosé suggestions here so far this year, but here’s one more to add: the Baron Gassier Provence Sainte Victoire Rosé (£10.00; normally £13.00; until Tuesday; sainsburys.co.uk) is a typically classy, very dry pink-hued and orange-scented Provencal rosé at a good discounted price for the weekend. And suitable for almost any types of fish and grilled chicken or Mediterranean vegetables, like peppers and aubergines.

Grilled red and white meats on the barbecue need a good, robust red, and in this case, ones that will not look out of place on the dinning table if the weather forces you indoors.

The Altos Ibericos Tempranillo Crianza 2015 (£11.99 waitrose.com) is a lovely, mellow, smooth youngish Rioja, with plummy red and dark fruits and some subtle oak structure; beautifully balanced and would suit either a butterfly leg of lamb or roast chicken – preferably on a spit.

If your barbecue is more of the sausages and burgers variety or you are looking for a party red, then try this stunner from South Africa: the Earth’s Essence Shiraz 2018 (£6.99 aldi.com; £9.99 ocado.com) is organically made in the Swartland without sulphites and preservatives and packed with flavours of smoky, sweetish, spicy, concentrated black fruits. And if the weather turns foul again, it’s a great little warmer.