August Bank Holiday: What to Drink Over the Long Weekend
The August Bank Holiday is a great opportunity to make the most of the last of the summer with a long lunch, a barbecue in the garden or simply opening something good while the evenings are still light. The British August Bank Holiday may not always deliver guaranteed sunshine, but that's no reason not to drink well whatever the weather - it is a three-day weekend, after all!
We've picked a few bottles that should see you through the long weekend - from crisp whites and chilled rosé to barbecue friendly reds and, of course, something sparkling. Alternatively, use our helpful filters to find your favourite style, region, producer or vintage.
🍾🥂 A SPARKLING START
A long weekend deserves a proper start, and Langlois-Chateau Crémant de Loire Brut NV (£21) is difficult to beat for value. Founded in 1885 and part of the Bollinger family since 1973, Langlois is one of the Loire's leading sparkling-wine producers. Fresh, elegant and wonderfully versatile, this is exactly the sort of bottle we'd have well chilled and ready to open when friends arrive.
For Champagne, Palmer & Co Brut Réserve NV (£44) is a step up and a lovely bottle for a Bank Holiday lunch. Made from a selection of wines from Premier and Grand Cru vineyards, it combines freshness with enough richness and depth to work just as well at the table as it does on its own
☀️🍷ROSÉ FOR THE GARDEN
If the sun does make an appearance, it's hard to look much further than rosé. For an easy drinking option, Montevento Pinot Grigio Rosé 2025 (£13) is fresh, pale and uncomplicated – exactly what you want well chilled on a warm afternoon.
Something special: Ruinart Rosé Champagne (£82)
If the Bank Holiday is an excuse to open something a little more special, Ruinart Rosé is a wonderful choice. Elegant, fine and beautifully presented, it combines fresh red berry fruit with citrus, subtle spice and the creamy texture of a serious Champagne. A lovely aperitif, but with enough depth to accompany smoked salmon, shellfish or a leisurely summer lunch.
🥂🍽️ FRESH WHITES FOR A LONG LUNCH
For seafood, salads and lighter dishes, Broglia Gavi La Meirana 2025 (£20) is a classic summer white. From one of Gavi's best known estates, it offers the freshness and clean character that makes Gavi such an easy choice for warm-weather drinking.
Chardonnay drinkers should look at Kumeu River Village Chardonnay 2024 (£18). Kumeu River has established a formidable reputation for Chardonnay in New Zealand, and the Village bottling is a brilliant introduction to the estate – plenty of character, but still fresh enough for summer drinking.
Something special: Domaine Ballot-Millot, Meursault 1er Cru Genevrières 2019 (£175)
For a Bank Holiday bottle to linger over, this is a considerable step up. Genevrières is one of Meursault's great Premier Cru vineyards, producing Chardonnay with richness and concentration but also wonderful finesse and mineral freshness. Ballot-Millot's 2019 would be superb with roast chicken, lobster, turbot or simply given plenty of time in a large glass.
🔥🍷 REDS FOR THE BARBECUE
Bank Holiday drinking doesn't have to mean white and rosé. The trick with a summer red is to look for freshness as well as fruit – and don't be afraid to serve it slightly cooler than you would in winter.
Prunotto Barbera d'Asti Fiulot 2024 (£23) would be high on our list. Owned by the Antinori family, Prunotto is one of Piedmont's benchmark names, and Barbera's natural freshness makes it a particularly good red for the summer table. Try it with sausages, burgers, grilled pork or antipasti.
And if the weather turns and the Bank Holiday barbecue becomes dinner indoors, there's always claret. Jean-Pierre Moueix Médoc Rouge 2016 (£15) combines Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc with cassis, dark fruit, liquorice and spice – mature Bordeaux at a remarkably modest price.
Something special: Henschke Mount Edelstone Shiraz 2017 (£140)
If the barbecue involves a particularly good steak or leg of lamb, Henschke Mount Edelstone Shiraz 2017 is a suitably serious accompaniment. From one of Australia's great historic single vineyards, Mount Edelstone combines the depth and intensity you'd expect from old-vine Shiraz with Henschke's characteristic freshness and elegance. Dark berries, plum, pepper, spice and savoury complexity make this a magnificent Bank Holiday red – and one that will continue to develop beautifully in the cellar. Open an hour or two in advance to allow its kaleidoscope of complex flavours to fully develop.
🍰 SOMETHING SWEET TO FINISH
One of the pleasures of having a little more time over a Bank Holiday weekend is being able to stretch lunch into the afternoon. Chateau Doisy Daene 2004, Sauternes 2nd Growth, Half Bottle (£22) is an ideal size to finish a meal between a few people. Doisy Daëne is one of the great estates of Barsac, and mature Sauternes is superb with blue cheese, fruit-based desserts or simply served chilled on its own at the end of a long lunch.
Something special: Klein Constantia Vin de Constance 2018 (£75)
Vin de Constance is one of the world’s great sweet wines. Produced from Muscat de Frontignan in the historic vineyards of Constantia in South Africa, it combines extraordinary richness with the freshness that keeps the wine beautifully balanced. Expect apricot, lychee, orange peel and marmalade, alongside honey, spice and floral notes, with an intense, luscious texture and a remarkably long finish. Despite its sweetness and concentration, there is a wonderful line of acidity running through the wine.