Wagner shares his personal wine preferences, highlighting a range that includes options both under and over $50. Interestingly, he notes that the least expensive wines consistently outperform pricier options in quality rankings over the years. This trend suggests that price does not necessarily correlate with the quality of wine.

For instance, in 2011, a Gallo cabernet, which is an affordable choice, earned the highest average rating, while a much more expensive Chateau Gruaud Larose, priced between $60 and $70, ended up at the bottom of the list. This information, featured in Mary Roach's book "Gulp: Adventures on the Alimentary Canal," challenges the common perception that higher price guarantees better quality.