More facts and figures

The most planted grape variety is Airen with 476,000 ha. It is only grown in Spain, mainly La Mancha and is used for Jerez brandy as well as wine.

Garnacha Tinto (Grenache) comes second, with Spain again growing the vast majority.

Rkatsitela from the former USSR and Bulgaria comes third.

Cabernet Sauvignon comes in 7^th place with Chardonnay not appearing in the top 20 at all.

In the 1980s Spain had more land under vine than any other country with 1,610,000 hectares. It is still the world’s 3^rd biggest producer after France and Italy.

The current rate of duty for wine in the UK is £20.25 a case (12 bottles / 9Litres). VAT is added on top making £1.98 a bottle! Of course there is also VAT on the wine, shipping and profit margins, taking the tax element to well over £2 a bottle.