Total wine drinking newbie....

[Innkeeper]

There are better wines of the type you like. Look for the following chiantis: Cecchi, Antinori's Santa Christa, Castello di Gabbiano, and Straccali. For shiraz try: Black Opal, Hill of Content Grenache/Shiraz, Jacob's Creek Cabernet/Shiraz, Lindemans Bin 59, Lindemans Shiraz/Cabernet Sauvignon, and the lower priced Rosemount Shiraz and Shiraz blends. The Diamond Label line (their second tier) has gone to hell lately.

All these sell for less than $12.