Google Trends -- what wines are most popular, and other fascinating details.

According to the Wall Street Journal, "The company unveiled Google Trends, which allows Web users to see what people around the world are interested in by running searches of Google's Web-search traffic. For instance, a user could search the terms "boxers" and "briefs" and see on a bar chart that compares the popularity of the two terms that boxers are more popular, said Jonathan Rosenberg, Google senior vice president of product management."

http://www.google.com/trends

The tool is simple to use, and returns some fascinating data. Enter Riesling,Chardonnay, for example, and you can see that generally Chardonnay is much more popular in say New York City and Australia, and Riesling is more popular in Germany and France.

http://www.google.com/trends?q=riesling%2Cchardonnay

Cabernet Sauvignon demolishes Cabernet Franc:

http://www.google.com/trends?q=cabernet ... l&date=all

Pinot Noir 100%; Merlot 0%.

http://www.google.com/trends?q=pinot+noir%2Cmelot

And so on.

Regards, Bob

[Robin Garr]

Pinot Noir 100%; Merlot 0%.

http://www.google.com/trends?q=pinot+noir%2Cmelot

Great topic, Bob! Thanks for passing it on.

Note that "Merlot" probably would have done better in the totals than "Melot" did, though ...

Now I'm supposed to be able to spell English wine names in order to post here? Wow, pretty tough Janitor. :-)

The results are quite different; Merlot beats Pinot Noir:

http://www.google.com/trends?q=merlot%2Cpinot+noir

(Although one would have to correct for the software hits, I suppose.)

Regards, Bob

For instance, a user could search the terms "boxers" and "briefs" and see on a bar chart that compares the popularity of the two terms that boxers are more popular,

NWR, but wouldn't that example include Sonny Liston, a certain breed of dog, and legal filings?

I'm sure you are right, Dale. I'm actually surprised that Google used this particular comparison: "For instance, a user could search the terms "boxers" and "briefs" and see on a bar chart that compares the popularity of the two terms that boxers are more popular, said Jonathan Rosenberg, Google senior vice president of product management."

In addition to your list, "briefs" is helped by "news briefs"

I haven't been able to use the - function in these searches, but there seems to be a very active users group already in action. I suppose that's why Google calls it a Lab.

Very good catch Dale. Regards, Bob

PS: I'm still reflecting on your analysis of the blind tastings, and will revert in a few days after a quick trip to Florida.

B.