Originally Posted by
bhrubin
We have a wine cellar, so we likely are at the upper range of normal. Our average wines cost (purchased directly from wineries and rarely at a wholesaler near our home):
Pinot Noir: $80-100
Chardonnay: $75-90
Syrah: $85
Cabernet/Cabernet blends: $250-300
Merlot/Merlot blends: $90-110
Malbec: $75-125
We drink mostly New World wines, and we prefer aged wines (though my husband prefers younger Chards/Pinots than I do). Wines that age well tend to be much pricier, of course.
If you like more freshness or acidic wines or more fruit in your bouquet/flavor, then younger wines are the better way to go, as they are usually less expensive. If you like big powerful wines but want to avoid the harsher tannins and sulfites that often cause headaches, then I'd recommend spending a little more as you can afford on Cabernet type wines...or consider Syrahs that can be as big but not nearly as expensive.
You might try drinking wines, rather than labels. There are some pretty amazing wines in the $30-60 range. I find it difficult to even find a New World Syrah that costs $75, let alone those which would actually be worth it. The same is true with Malbecs that cost over $100. I can only think of a handful that cost in the $75-95 range, and just about none in triple digits, with the vast preponderance of Malbecs costing $15-$60. And I'd stack the ageworthiness of most of the $45-60 Syrahs I buy with anything that costs double that range or more.
The only wines I could see paying > $100 a bottle for would be classified growth Bordeaux, Premier Cru or better Burgundies, and small domain Super Tuscans, Barolos, and Barbarescos and wines from a handful of domaines in the Rhone region.
Speaking of wine shop prices, not restaurant prices, of course.