Ahead of the Bank Holiday weekend, Sam Wylie-Harris banks some warm weather wines

The August bank holiday always signals the last hurrah as we try to hold on to those lazy, hazy days of summer, and hopes of sipping in the sunshine.

But no matter what the weather holds, here are some high street bargains and tailor-made tipples with enough pulling power to bring pleasure and enjoyment... chances are, we'll be in for an Indian summer.

BY THE SEASIDE

Albarino is the trendy white from Galicia in north-west Spain and you can almost smell the Atlantic breeze and sea salt in some of the top wines. Aromatic with a slight suggestion of peach, delicate citrus fruit and a fresh, crisp palate that works so well with seafood, try Albarino Sentidino 2015, Rias Baixas, Spain (£5.99, Lidl) which delivers remarkable value - bring on the fish and chips.

COAST TO COAST

Dreaming of a last-minute break and cruising along the Adriatic coast? Summertime is when a well-chilled, cheerful bottle of verdicchio (look for Castello di Jesi on the label) comes into its own and all those zesty lime and grapefruit flavours, with a slight creamy richness and hint of bitter almonds, can be found in Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi Classico 2014, Italy (£6.50, Spar).

CARRY ON GLAMPING

Boutinot's Chenin Blanc typically impresses with its crisp, fruity tones, but the real star of the show here is the novelty design that encases it: a limited-edition VW Camper van that goes by the name of Camper Vin. The twist on the well-trodden bag-in-a-box makes a fun talking point and the best bit... the wine pours from where the vehicle's trademark spare wheel is. Camper Vin Chenin Blanc, South Africa (£13, 2.25 litres, equivalent of three bottles, bag in box, available from August 25 for six weeks, Asda)

SUNSHINE IN A GLASS

The winemaker has enhanced the fruity style of these two pretty wines by blending grapes from the sunny Languedoc with those from cooler climate Gascony, to bring freshness as well as ripeness. Try Sous le Soleil du Midi Chardonnay 2015, France (£5.99, Waitrose) which would look great whipped out at a picnic - crisp and refreshing and not too acidic, you can really taste the peachy flavours the label promises. While Sous le Soleil du Midi Cabernet Merlot 2015, France (£5.99, Waitrose) is an easy drinking, medium-bodied red with red currants on the nose and a smooth mouthfeel with subtle spice flavours.

ROSE THAT RISES TO THE OCCASION

A delectable interpretation of a Provencal rose, wine and food enthusiasts will be suitably impressed with MT Pinot Noir Rose 2016, Adelaide Hills, Australia (£9.99, Wine Rack) - a collaboration between award-winning winemaker Neil McGuigan and celebrity chef John Torode. Styled on the pale pink roses from the South of France that are so on point this summer, MT is made from pinot noir grapes, tastes beautifully fresh and channels McGuigan's flair for producing wines you really want to drink.

SOME LIKE IT HOT

From Jumilla's arid landscape hails this juicy, jammy red that is a steal. Try Mayoral Reservado Syrah Cabernet, Jumilla, Spain (£6.49, Aldi) which is part of Aldi's new range of limited-edition wines from the world's greatest wine regions. Utterly delicious, this mayor wins my vote with its lush, sweet, dense black fruits, heady mix of herbs and spices and soft and silky structure. Run to the shelves and buy as many bottles as their Wine Festival will allow.

ODDS ON FAVOURITE

With a decorative horse's head on the label, this red charges ahead with its strong streaks of spice, plums, and blackberry with a spicy mellowness from oak ageing. A whiff of herbs and earthy character add interest to this shiraz based blend that's a real crowd pleaser. Cornelia Swartland Red 2014, South Africa (£6.66 from £10, now until September 5, Marks & Spencer)

DRIVING HOME FOR COCKTAILS

It's not always fun being the driver, but Eisberg's range of alcohol-free wines - there's a sauvignon blanc, chardonnay, cabernet sauvignon and a rose - make a great alternative to a soft drink and contain fewer than 33 calories per 125ml glass. Best of all, they have some fun mocktail recipes (www.eisberg.co.uk) to bring non-drinkers to the table. Here's a summer cooler made with Eisberg Alcohol-Free Rose Wine (£3.50, Tesco)...

ROSE AND GRAPEFRUIT SPRITZ

75ml Eisberg Alcohol-Free Rose, 15ml elderflower cordial, 30ml pink grapefruit juice, 15ml lemon juice, 100ml soda water

Squeeze the juice of a pink grapefruit and lemon into a mixing glass and add the elderflower cordial and rose. Shake well and strain into a Kilner jar half filled with ice. Top with soda water and garnish with pink grapefruit wedges.

BEST BUY

Amongst a sea of gins... Answering all those gin lovers' needs, Gin Mare Spanish gin is now available in a magnum (£109.95, 175cl, www.31dover.com), so you can really soak up those distinctive Mediterranean botanicals Gin Mare is famous for.

Distilled in a fishing village near Barcelona, Gin Mare Magnum smells and tastes like the essence of the Mediterranean and should be served Spanish style, in a generous wine glass with plenty of ice, tonic and a sprig of rosemary. Primary botanicals are arbequina olives, thyme, basil and rosemary which 'unite the different cultures around the sea'.

LIQUID NEWS

English wines spell success... Who doesn't love a glass of sparkle and, according to a recent survey, English wine has come fourth (after those from France, Italy and Australia) in a consumer poll for producing the best quality wine in the eyes of the public.

Findings by The Grocer Magazine revealed that 70% of respondents are now committed to buying English wine, while English fizz was Waitrose's fastest growing sparkling wine category in the last year with sales increasing by 49%. According to Marks & Spencer, sales of its English wines rose by as much as 74% in the second quarter of the year.

To enjoy a taste of success, try award-winning The Bolney Estate Bolney Bubbly NV, Sussex (£22.99, www.bolneywineestate.com), a blend of muller-thurgau (a German varietal) and chardonnay, which they cite as 'simple, light and refreshing, very easy to drink with a charming elderflower creaminess'.

Meanwhile, Exton Park won a Gold medal at this year's International Wine Challenge (IWC) for their Exton Park Pinot Meunier Rose, Hampshire (£40, www.extonparkvineyard.com). Made entirely from pinot meunier (a classic grape variety in a champagne blend), it's 'fresh and stylish, with rich ripe fruit and notes of early jasmine and honeysuckle on the nose'. and Exton Park believe it's the only wine of its kind made in England.