Replace Wine with Jewelry and you've got almost the same issue. Consumers are unable to tell a synthetic diamond from a real one. They couldn't tell you Tiffan

Replace Wine with Jewelry and you've got almost the same issue. Consumers are unable to tell a synthetic diamond from a real one. They couldn't tell you Tiffany's from something made locally, and the cost of production has very little to do with the cost of the item. In short- spending a ton is rarely justified and a lot goes into marketing. A late friend of mine was a master jeweler for 30+ years and he made some fantastic stuff that was often 1/4 the price of something that a 'big brand' would have. His was handmade, unique, and often better made as well. He said that most of the industry was a joke and to never buy jewelry from a major retailer.