...I am totally aware that decent wines can be had 'relatively' cheaply, but there are so many! And my proclivity is to try the variations, like I do beer. And once you are hooked on the process, it is no longer cheap! "Oh, here's an interesting little Australian wine..only $8, lets try it"..and if $8 is GOOD, what could I get for $17?? Like I said, I am fascinated by the 'best'. I tend to learn about wine at parties where I can taste the choices of others....and if I find one which is just WRONG for me, it is only an ounce or two wasted.