May Day celebrations in this fair isle do not lend themselves to wine. Morris dancers drink beer or cider and Maypole dancers drink orange squash.

You could be forgiven for thinking that the only reds being sunk will be at The Crucible theatre in Sheffield, during the World Snooker Championship final.

But if you are like me, you won’t need much of an excuse to crack open a bottle of vino. The following are on offer at Waitrose from now and for most of the month of May, so there’s even more incentive to indulge.

High marks go to a red-and-white pairing from former Leeds University student Laurent Miquel. Miquel originally qualified as a mechanical engineer specialising in quality control, but his passion for winemaking, inspired by his father, led him back home to the vineyards of the Languedoc. He has had his own business there since the mid-90s.

Laurent Miquel L’Atelier Miquel Vermentino 2010 is very impressive; think pinot grigio with the flavour turned up. Vermentino is a white grape usually associated with Italy but it is obviously at home in the south of France too.

Almost creamy in the mouth, this one is dry and elegant, with pear and lemon, yeasty notes and minerality. Try it with an al fresco lunch (weather permitting) of crusty bread, butter and ham.

The red, Laurent Miquel L’Atelier Miquel GSM 2008, is blend of varietals more traditionally associated with southern France, despite the Aussie-influenced acronym. GSM stands for grenache, syrah and mourvèdre.

Rich and fruit laden, it’s an earthy tasting wine with flavours of raspberry, blueberry and plums and a spicy, peppery finish. It will work well with just about whatever meat dish you have cooked up for dinner.

If you are planning a barbecue then splash out on a mighty Californian ‘Zin’, which will pair perfectly with char-grilled steaks and burgers. You’ll find that Brazin Old Vine Zinfandel 2007, from the Lodi region, fits the bill. Powerful but balanced, it is brimming with flavours of raspberry, bramble, strawberry, espresso coffee, vanilla, cinnamon, pepper and clove. It carries it’s 15 per cent alcohol effortlessly too.

• Laurent Miquel L’Atelier Miquel Vermentino 2010, £5.99 down from £8.99 at Waitrose 18/20.

• Laurent Miquel L’Atelier Miquel GSM 2008, £5.99 down from £8.99 at Waitrose 17/20.

• Brazin Old Vine Zinfandel 2007, Lodi, £10.39 down from £12.99 at Waitrose 17/20.