One of my many enduring memories of growing up in Richmond is sitting outside the Prince Rupert on Richmond Green, having a drink or three and being mildly entertained by the local cricket match unfolding in front of us.

Watching yet more mind-boggling numbers flash across my television screen last night, courtesy of the latest instalment of the soap opera known as the global financial crisis, it occurred to me again that the world has changed fundamentally - and therefore the trends we have taken for granted over the past decade are not necessarily going to survive.

Perspective is a wonderful thing - but it has a nasty habit of going missing when things get a bit lively.

In this era of climate change, it's only right that the media's traditional August silly season of over-spun news stories has also started early. Recent press evidence would suggest that alcohol is only marginally behind global terrorism in terms of the danger it poses to our society.

Old is the new young. Or something like that. By virtue of a glacial but fundamental shift in demographics and wealth, th ose members of the UK population in the 50-plus age bracket are becoming the most important and desirable consumers a brand could have.

Innovative independent wine sector deserves greater attention