IT'S like being on permanent holiday, isn't it, with all this hot weather - now even with a few tropical thunderstorms thrown in for good measure.

Apparently, we can look forward to these kinds of summers becoming the norm rather than the exception, if you read what global warming aficionados tell us.

Granted, the ice caps might be melting and the planet probably dying, but every cloud and all that. Not that there have been many clouds recently.

Anyway, how can we make the most of this summer sun? By having barbecues of course. And by raising more cool glasses of wine.

Regarding the latter, this column has recently written a bit about red wines that can be enjoyed chilled.

So before we go on to BBQs, here's another we've found at a bargain price this week at Waitrose.

It's the Recchia Bardolino, which is on discount price of £5.99, down from £7.99, until August 7.

Bardolino is a wine region in the province of Verona in northern Italy, based around the town of Bardolino on the eastern shore of Lake Garda.

Generally made from blends of Corvina, Rondinella and Molinara grapes, it's a common table wine around (and a regular house wine at local restaurants), with plenty of versatility when it comes to food pairings - being one of few reds you could contemplate drinking with a fish dish or white meats as well as red, along with the usual pizza and pasta.

It's one of our favourites when it comes to fresh, easy-going reds - the only problem being it can slosh down a bit quick for a 12.5 per cent tipple.

This 2014 Recchia is typical of the above - unpretentious, nicely fruity and light with a soft palate and low tannins. A house wine for anybody's house, or garden.

Which brings us onto the BBQ.

Spanish brand Marques de Caceres has been plugging a few of its wines recently, with the offer of two free wine glasses if you buy two bottles, available through drinksupermarket.com

Marques de Caceras hails from the Rioja region but makes white wine as well as that area's more renowned Tempranillo red.

We have to say its Crianza, a spicy 13.5 per cent red full of red berry notes, is our favourite of those we sampled - and it's one that would fit well with any BBQ meats, especially flavoursome burgers and steaks.

Bottles are priced £9.49 or £8.49 each if you buy six.

For these hot days and balmy evenings, though, a cool glass of its rich, crisp and dry Blanco White blend (£8.49), with minerals lacing through notes of grapefruit and pear, or the floral Rosado Rosé (£8.49), if you like strong pink tipples, might be a better bet.

Both would be good alongside grilled fish, barbecued shellfish or prawns on skewers.

Marques de Caceras also has an aromatic white wine from the lesser-known Rueda region, made from Verdejo grapes, one of Spain's higher quality white varieties. With nutty, herbaceous and citrus notes, this is another for barbecued fish or even some spicy foods.