There’s something special about wine. Whether you’re ending the workday with a glass of Chianti while you cook or sipping crisp Chardonnay in your favorite restaurant, the mere act of opening the bottle lends a sense of celebration. To determine which types of wine are most popular – from Merlot to Malbec, Sauvignon Blanc to Zinfandel – we decided to find out which wines people across the country search for frequently. See how your favorite wine stacks up.

When it comes to the most searched type of wine in each state, Cabernet Sauvignon dominates the map. The full-bodied red pairs well with umami flavors such as mushrooms and beef. Merlot was a top pick in nine states, and a few unexpected wines made appearances: North Dakotans and Mississippians searched most for Muscat (a dessert wine), Oregonians for Pinot Noir, West Virginians for Cava (a Spanish sparkling wine), and Mainers for Port (a sweet red fortified wine from Portugal).

Merlot, smooth and slightly fruitier than Cab, is in second place across much of the country. Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinot Noir dominate a smattering of states. Missourians searched for Moscato – the Italian name for Muscat.

Pinot Noir makes a strong showing for third most searched wine across the country, but a  few surprises arise: Wyoming residents seek out Cabernet Franc, Washingtonians look for Shiraz, and Oregonians search for Port. Chardonnay dominates fourth place.

The three most searched for wines in the U.S. are red. Cabernet Sauvignon is No. 1 by a fairly wide margin, while Merlot comes in second, and Pinot Noir ranks third. Next comes Chardonnay, and sweet dessert wine Moscato/Muscat claims the fifth and sixth spots.

While the top few choices may not surprise oenophiles, some of the results are interesting. Port (generally considered an acquired taste) is the seventh most searched for wine, and sweet dessert wines are high in popularity. It’s not all red and white either: Rosé wine takes 16th spot. And some search terms, such as “Zinfandel,” could refer to red or white wine.

POUR YOURSELF A GLASS

You don’t need to know everything about wine to enjoy the occasional glass. Ask for recommendations, attend a wine tasting, or venture on a winery tour with friends, and soon you’ll discover exactly what you enjoy. While no one’s ever claimed alcohol is 100% healthful, new studies often emerge regarding the health benefits of wine: For instance, red wine has been shown to decrease risks of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and mortality, among other benefits. New studies show white wine may be just as good. That’s something to raise your glass to – cheers!

Sources

• https://time.com/4070762/red-wine-resveratrol-diabetes/
• https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/to-your-health/wp/2015/10/13/new-thinking-about-health-benefits-of-white-wines-could-they-be-as-good-as-reds-in-some-respects/

Methodology

Analyzing 23 wine terms on Google Search Trends from 2004 to 2015, we determined which types of wine were searched for the most in each state and in the United States as a whole.

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