Research shows British Web users’ love of French wine and reveals how our fellow European online shoppers can help us make expert choices

Paris, 7th September 2009 – As this year’s wine is being harvested, consumers are starting to stock up their wine supplies in readiness for the upcoming winter and Christmas season. Latest research released today by Twenga reveals that British online users are the most avid wine enthusiasts in Europe, with wine accounting for 31% of all online searches across food and drink products.

The research (see chart 1 below) highlights the most popular wines searched by online consumers in the UK in comparison with France, Italy, Spain and Germany. It shows that French wine, with 64% of the UK searches, is the most popular wine among British users. In their love of French wine, Britons are second only to the French (86%) and ahead of the Germans (40%). Italian and Spanish users rank French wine a close second behind wines from their own countries. The overall dominance of French wine on the web can be explained by the fact that France has some of the most expensive wines and therefore justify the cost of shipping.

Twenga’s research also reveals which local wines are most popular among the local populations of Europe.

“Local people are still the best experts on their country’s wine,” says Twenga’s Head of Content, Thérèse Torris. “British online users can take a leaf from the choices of local wines made by French, Italian, Spanish and German users. They are a great source of inspiration about new wines to explore.”

Indeed comparing the wines of each region chosen by British online shoppers with those preferred by local French, Italian, Spanish and German users brings new exceptional wines to light.

“Among Italian and Spanish wines, it’s definitely worth looking beyond the Chiantis and the Riojas”, says wine blogger and international expert Britt Karlsson of BKWine. “Wines like the Italian Barolo and Brunello di Montalcino, or the Spanish Ribera del Duero and the top-quality dry sherry wines from Jerez, are very well-known locally, but less so outside their country of origin. Likewise, I follow German users in their preference for the delicate German Rieslings and their Spätburgunder (German for Pinot Noir!). French users’ preferences point to the great French classics but also to two regions worth discovering: the Languedoc-Roussillon and the Jura.”

Searches for wine in the Food & Drink sections of Twenga’s sites, detailed by country of origin of the wine

Let’s start the week off right with a discount from PetitFeet.co.uk.

Free delivery on web orders over £50
Valid until 31/12/2009

10% off everything
Valid until 30/09/2009

About PetitFeet.co.uk:
specialises in stylish and fashionable small shoes, for ladies with sizes 1, 2 and 3 feet. Enjoy the large collection of sandals, shoes, boots and heels for women with smaller feet..

There is a digital camera for every type of photographer: an amateur photographer simply looking to take nice photos, a semi-professional looking to explore a hobby, or an experienced professional looking to make an investment purchase.

What digital camera is best for me? It all depends on your needs and budget but here’s a fundamental breakdown of what the digital camera market has to offer based on your interests.

Beginners: The Compact Digital Camera
The Compact digital camera, sometimes called a point and shoot camera are usually entry level, cheaper priced cameras that are light, compact and easy to take around.
Specifications: lacks pro features, but generally comes with a 3x zoom and a 2.5 mega pixel LCD screen

Photo enthusiasts: The Prosumer/Advanced Digital Camera
The Prosumer or Advanced digital camera is the ‘middle ground’ between a compact and a SLR camera. It has increased speed possibilities with manual adjustment.
Specifications: comes with a 12x to 18x zoom range and better lenses than a compact camera.

Semi-professionals or Professionals: The Digital SLR Camera
The Digital SLR cameras provides superior image quality. They are faster and more powerful for maximum creativity and flexibility.
Specifications: comes with  interchangeable lenses, and many additional features.

Twenga’s Hottest Selling Digital Cameras:
• Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ5 – Compact
• 9.1 mega pixels
• CCD sensor
• 10x optical zoom
• 3-inch colour screen, active matrix
• ISO sensitivity from 100 to 6400
• Prices from £ 155

• Canon EOS 450D – SLR
• 12.2 mega pixels
• CMOS sensor
• 3-inch (7.5cm) screen, with LiveView
• ISO sensitivity from 100 to 1600
• Prices from £340

• Nikon D90 – SLR
• 12.3 mega pixels
• CMOS sensor
• 3-inch (7.62 cm) colour screen, active matrix
• ISO sensitivity from 100 to 6400
• Prices from £499 (not including the lens)

Don’t forget the necessary camera accessories such as lenses and filters, flashes, camera cases and memory cards…