In Italy they are generically called national holidays, but in the UK they have a very specific name: Bank Holidays. Among the most anticipated events is the Late Summer Bank Holiday, the festival that celebrates the end of summer with parades, music, outings, family lunches and street food stalls.

And what would a gastronomic experience be without an excellent bottle suitable for summer consumption? Here are the perfect wines for the Late Summer Bank Holiday!

Late Summer Bank Holidays: typical activities to celebrate this holiday

There is no rule as to what is the best way to celebrate Bank Holidays, since they (just like Italian national holidays) are all different. However, there are some recurring habits depending on the type of celebration.

In the case of the Late Summer Bank Holiday, which falls on the last Monday of August each year, citizens of the United Kingdom, Scotland and Ireland engage in a variety of activities to celebrate the end of summer and thus ease the return to school or work.

Relaxation, fun, but also the importance of enjoying one's free time are the main themes of this anniversary, which is therefore celebrated nationwide with public events, fairs, parades, historical re-enactments, gastronomic and art festivals, concerts, out-of-town trips and other activities among family and friends, in order to enjoy the beautiful sunny days before the arrival of autumn. 

One of the most popular events on this occasion, to give a concrete example, is the Notting Hill Carnival, a colourful street festival with dancing, music and food stalls, which every year attracts thousands and thousands of people to the London borough of the same name, ready to experience a different day.

The best wine labels to celebrate the end of summer

Whether you organise a barbecue with family and friends or decide to nibble on something tasty at one of the many food stalls set up for the occasion, what really cannot be missed is a good bottle of wine.

But beware: not all wines lend themselves well to this occasion, precisely because a summer climate like this requires special products.

The requirements are few and easy to understand: the best Italian wines for the Late Summer Bank Holiday must be easy-drinking, refreshing and unstructured. In essence, nothing demanding on the palate. Among the recommendations for Italian wines for the Late Summer therefore, white, rosé and bubbly wines stand out above all, but reds also have a chance to take part in this lively party!

White wines to drink during the Late Summer Bank Holiday

For celebrations involving fried food, appetisers or grilled fish, it is Vermentino that offers versatility and drinkability. All thanks to its extremely refreshing and light aromatic profile, capable of enhancing the savouriness of seafood dishes and at the same time keeping it at bay thanks to its fruity organoleptic notes, a distinct minerality and a slightly almondy aftertaste. A glass of Elibaria Vermentino di Gallura DOCG can be enjoyed alongside numerous recipes prepared during the Late Summer Bank Festival, including those based on white meat. 

A fresh rosé wine to accompany the celebrations with versatility

Those undecided between white and red can opt instead for an excellent rosé, a Bardolino Chiaretto DOC Classico 2021. This wine from the area around Lake Garda and vinified largely from Corvina Veronese vines, has all the credentials to liven up a summer event.

If the eye is enchanted by its beautiful rosé colour, it is smell and taste that are the senses most captivated by this product, thanks to its light and refreshing notes. The greatest suggestions are given by hints of flowers and citrus fruits, with a small hint of red fruits, while on the palate it is distinguished by a barely noticeable tannicity and pleasant fruity notes.

A wine like this is very adaptable in the kitchen, perfect for accompanying hors d'oeuvres and appetisers, as well as for livening up a casual family lunch of white meats, lake fish, seafood salads or shellfish.

Red wines in summer? Of course we do!

Not all red wines lend themselves well to a summer tasting, as their organoleptic characteristics often risk being compromised when served cold. Some varieties, however, accept being stored in the refrigerator and served at a lower temperature than normally required, without being significantly altered. Among the best pairings with Italian wine for the Late Summer Bank Holiday is Lacrima di Morro d'Alba, an excellent product from the Marche region characterised by a deep red colour, mottled with violet hues that seem to anticipate a tough character.

In reality, this product - especially when consumed young - welcomes the nose and palate with a discreet gentleness, caressing the senses with hints of small fruits, roses and violets that are never intrusive.

Drunk chilled, it is an excellent companion for cured meats and sauces, as well as grilled meats or tasty burgers. But it also goes well with seafood ingredients, whether as the star of tasty appetisers or full-bodied courses. There is nothing better for the gastronomic variety offered by the Late Summer Bank Holiday.

It's no party without a happy bubble

Finally, bubbles cannot be missing. Those in search of Italian wines to celebrate Late Summer can opt for a glass of Prosecco, even better if in its Dry declination, such as Prosecco Superiore Dry Millesimato DOCG.

This wine offers an excellent taste experience, thanks to lively aromas and a persistent perlage. Fruit aromas and a fine elegance will perfectly accompany Late Summer Bank Holiday desserts, whether fruit cakes, biscuits or spoon desserts.

Why only celebrate the end of summer? Party all year round with the best bottles recommended by Svinando!