I'm a pretty optimistic person but I've given up believing the meteorologists' claims that we're still going to get a proper summer. The current weather pattern — grey giving way to occasional flashes of sun or showers — is as good as it's going to get before the autumn leaves begin to fall.

The only thing that's keeping me going is the memory of a long, hot January and February in New Zealand earlier this year.

While Britain shivered in arctic temperatures, happy New Zealanders (and lucky tourists) basked in the best summer in a decade. The days were long, the skies were blue — and on the West Coast of the South Island, the beaches were blessedly empty.

But before you send in hate mail, there is a way that you too can benefit from the long, hot Antipodean summer. All that hot weather meant good things for the country's famous sauvignon blanc, which has just started hitting the shelves here.

Experts and amateur drinkers alike are calling the '08 vintage one of the best in recent years. Certainly Montana Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2008 (£7.99, available at most supermarkets) beats last year's hands down. Villa Maria Sauvignon Blanc 2008 from the sunny Hawkes Bay is another cracker. It's £9.19 and also widely available.

Closer to home, you can recreate the illusion of a proper summer by opening a bottle of rosé. Spanish Vina Decana Rosado, which was commended by judges in the Decanter 2008 Wine Awards, won't break the bank at a tiny £3.29 from Aldi.

My New Zealand sojourn meant no holiday in Spain (or anywhere else, for that matter), but I made up for it by drinking Bodegas Palacio Blanco - a subtle white rioja (£6.99 at Morrisons), while my drinking partner made short work of the juicy red Rioja, Berberana Carta Dorada Reserva 2004, (usually £9.99, but down to £4.49 at Co-op stores until September 14).

Another great discovery from early in the summer, on one of those rare sunbaked days when anything seemed possible, was Taste The Difference Gavi 2007 (£6.99 at Sainsbury's). It's light, fragrant, and very drinkable. Pour yourself a glass, lie back on the sofa, and think about your next summer holiday.

DRINK THIS

Put some sparkle back into late summer with a glass of Philippe Michel Cremant du Jura Sparkling Chardonnay. The Jura is a much-underrated region of France — and the wine isn't bad either. This is champagne in all but name (and price). Pick up a bottle or two for £5.99 each from Aldi.

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