Played football last night for the first time in a while. It was hot and humid. I feel great now, though.

Some facts and figures that arrived in a release from the EU press office. Thought you might be interested.

• The UK is the biggest wine importer in the world by value.


• Wine represented 5.4% of agricultural output in the EU in 2004


• Land holdings: 3.2 million hectares in 2005, with more than 1.5 million holdings. This represents 2% of land farmed in the EU


• EU wine production 2000-2005: 166-196 million hl. (vinified production + production of grape musts and juices)


• Wine consumption in the UK is going up, at the expense of beer, and red is now more popular than white. Per capita consumption went up by 40% over the past decade.


• However, in the EU as a whole, consumption has been going down continuously. It fell by over 10% between 1983 and 2003, though the rate is now slowing.


• EU consumption of quality wines now almost equals that of table wine.


• Wine imports from non-EU countries have been growing, up to almost 11.8 million hl in 2005. Exports have been increasing, but at a much slower rate than imports, reaching about 13.2 million hl in 2005.