It doesn’t take much effort for me to justify buying a wine that cost, say, more than $50. Here’s my logic.

When my wife and I go out to dinner — maybe 4 times a month — we go to a nice restaurant and spend at least $50 on a bottle of wine that would cost half as much at a local wine store. The wine usually isn’t worth it because the restaurateur is more focused on far more expensive bottles that complement his food. If I spend more on wine, my tab is often more than $200 for the night.

If I’m willing to forgo the restaurant experience, prepare my own food and clean up the dishes, I can spend the same $50 on a better bottle of wine bought at a local wine store. I buy my own steaks, grill them nicely and end up the night with a tab that is significantly less.

This logic may not make sense for some people who are willing to buy a glass of wine for $15 and enjoy a night on the town. But for me, the wine is as important as the food. And, the dining experience isn’t the same if I’m sacrificing quality for cost.

In recent weeks I’ve come across some great wines at $60-70 a bottle and wince when I find the guts to buy them. But, as I age and find less reason to save, I enjoy my wine more — even more than a night out with ridiculous prices that are even harder to justify. You don’t need to buy a case of a very nice wine. A bottle is a good experience into a world you may have been avoiding far too long.