brand spankin' new

[Brom]

A coupla things:

"I was informed the difference in price would mean the difference in quality"

Yes and no. The difference in price means the difference in price. The growing misconception in the wine world today is that a wine cannot be a quality, well-made, wonderful wine unless the price is prohibitive.
Winemakers have stated publicly that they have raised their prices solely because the consumer would perceive their wines as lacking in quality if they did not. This is a shame.

Nothing personal, but in a way you are a part of this problem. You don't know anything about wine, but you are willing to throw $100 at that unknown quantity, assuming that big money means a good thing.

Certainly, generally speaking you will get a nicer wine at $30 than you will at $5, but it is likely that most $15 American Pinot Noirs are better than $30 Burgundies (I stress not all). Why? Because they don't make that much Burgundy - they're expensive.

Try looking at it this way: you describe yourself as "brand-spanking new" having tried some wines on an airplane flight. You don't even know what you like yet. In your position, buying a $100 wine is like someone who cannot drive buying a Ferrari.

Here's some stuff:
Look for a Gallo (yes, that Gallo) Barelli Creek Cabernet Sauvignon; $25-30

Also get a Benziger Family Cabernet Sauvignon; $15-20

See if you can find a Spanish wine, Osborne Solaz; $6

You should enjoy them all. The question is did you enjoy the Solaz?

Now look for Chateau St. Jean Cinq Cepages, another Cab't. That will be close to $100.

Now the question is, do you regret having drunk the Solaz?

If you can afford to buy nothing but $100 wines, learn about $100 wines. If you will be drinking the occasional Cotes de Rhone...