August is summer at its peak, long, warm days, two bank holiday weekends, and every excuse to gather outdoors with good food and great company.

So if you’re planning a garden party, heading to the beach, or putting together a fresh summer spread, this is the month for wines that are easy, exciting and made to be enjoyed in the moment.

Here’s our guide to what to drink this August.

Perfect Wines for Garden Parties

When it comes to garden gatherings, it’s all about keeping things relaxed and generous, and nothing says that better than large format bottles.

La Collection Rose Maison Boutinot Celiane IGP Cotes du Thau 2025 Magnum is a real crowd-pleaser and a beautiful centrepiece to the garden table: The grapes are sourced from vineyards cultivated near to Lake Thau, set in a formerly volcanic region just inland from the sea. The grapes are harvested in the early morning, then the wine is vinified as a classic rosé de presse, with soft pressing and cold fermentation.This luscious and textural blend is very much a food wine; rich currant flavours provided by Grenache and tangy raspberry from Cinsault before a dry and fresh finish.

For BBQs and bigger celebrations, Logodaj Melnik 55 2024 Double Magnum (3 Litres!) brings something a little bolder and impressive:  The Logodaj Winery began in 1994 and can be found in the heart of the stunning Struma Valley which is the sunniest and hottest part of Bulgaria. A wine with an intense colour of deep violet, on the nose it's scent is enhanced by hints of fresh fruit, cherry and spicy notes that blend with great balance and elegance. Sweet vanilla expressed from the oak with silky soft tannins, followed by a rich and persistent finish.

Large bottles not only look great on the table, they keep the wine cooler for longer and make sharing that much easier.

What Wine Goes with Summer Salads?

Fresh, colourful salads call for wines that match their brightness and lift.

For goat’s cheese and beetroot, Le Carroir de Minettes Sauvignon Blanc 2023 is a natural fit: 100% Sauvignon from Touraine, destemmed then pressed before fermentation in concrete vats at 16°C thenaging on lees for 6 months.Fresh nose with complex and intense aromas of citrus and white fruits.Beautiful balance on the palate with a long and slightly lemony finish.

A classic Caprese salad pairs beautifully with Cantina Terlano Pinot Grigio 2025: This is a producer we've worked with for a long time. They were founded in 1893 in Italy's Alto Adige region, situated in the north east, just south of the Austrian Alps. This Pinot shows white peach, cut grass and stony mineral aromas which lead into a palate that while packed with flavour retains an ethereal lightness.

And for a Greek salad full of feta, olives and fresh vegetables, Ktima Zafeirakis Assyrtiko 2024 is the obvious choice: located in Tyrnavos in Thessaly, they are pioneers of organic viticulture in the region and a champion of expressing Greek varieties with precision and purity. The wine opens with vibrant aromas of citrus blossom, lemon zest and green apple, supported by subtle notes of wet stone and fresh herbs. On the palate it is crisp and focused, showing taut citrus and orchard-fruit flavours wrapped around a firm, saline backbone.

Seafood and Wine Pairings for Coastal Dining

Whether you’re by the sea or just wishing you were, seafood and wine is one of summer’s great pleasures.

Shellfish and oysters shine with Chablis Domaine Fournillon et Fils 2022: This is a family-run domaine managing 23 hectares of vines rooted in the region's famousKimmeridgian soils. These soils are said to impart the fabled minerality in Chablis wines, and here's a textbook example. It's crisp, pure, tangy and shot through with gorgeous citrus and white flower notes, but also has a glorious rounded feel in the mouth. It's crisp acidity and mineral backbone enhance the natural freshness of the seafood.

For richer fish like tuna or salmon, La Mecanique du Vin Chilly Red 2025 is a great choice served slightly chilled: La Mécanique du Vin tells the story of the intricate winemaking process, from vine to bottle. The name, translating to “the wine mechanics,” nods to the meticulous processes required to craft a wine of this calibre. A light bodied wine made from Cinsault grapes. Red berries with a soft and silky texture.

And for a true British classic of fish and chips, Albourne Estate Multi-Vintage Sparkling (a local superstar) is hard to beat: Albourne Estate is a family-owned vineyard and winery overlooking the beautiful South Downs, just 8 miles from Brighton in the heart of the Sussex countryside.As its name suggests this wine is made of selected base wines from multiple vintages to produce an approachable and immediately enjoyable style. Generous and soft on the palate, this wine is open and expressive, exhibiting delightful panettone-like aromas of sweet baked bread, dried apricots, nuts and candied citrus peels. The bubbles and acidity cut through the batter perfectly, making each bite feel lighter and more indulgent.

Best Wines for Fresh Summer Fruits

Summer fruits at their most delicious deserve something equally delightful in the glass.

Strawberries and raspberries pair beautifully with Cantina di Gambellara Note di Vino Prosecco Spumante Extra Dry NV: The first cooperative winery in the province of Vicenza, established in 1947 on the ashes of the previous cooperative winery called Enopolio di Gambellara, active since 1920.This is 100% Glera grape Prosecco from Veneto. Light straw yellow in colour, the nose has notes of pear and floral hints. Light, gently sparkling and full of fresh fruit character that mirrors the sweetness of the berries.

For peaches and apricots, Moscato D'Asti Alasia 2025 is a perfect match: Sourced from the Monferrato hills in the south of the province of Asti, in the Piemonte region. The fruit is hand-harvested and fermented in pressurised tanks, under temperature control. The fermentation is deliberately stopped by chilling and filtration to retain just 5% alcohol to retain a luscious natural sweetness.Lightly sparkling, delicately sweet and full of fragrant stone fruit notes, it’s ideal for relaxed desserts or simply enjoyed on its own.

Make the Most of August

With two bank holidays and hopefully plenty of sunshine, August is all about keeping things simple and enjoyable.

Think wines that are easy to share, pair effortlessly with food, and suit whatever the day brings, whether that’s a last-minute BBQ, a picnic in the park or a spontaneous evening with friends.

Pop into the shop and we’ll help you choose the perfect bottles for your plans.