A common question among my wine buddies is “What was the wine that got you ‘into it’?” The answers always vary, but a commonality among them is that it was always a fairly good wine, or at least one above a particular price point. A better question is “What was the first wine you ever drank?” Anything counts with this question, and the answers end up being very entertaining. Sort of like reminiscing about old cartoons or movies you recall from childhood.

Your starter wine is more important than the “big one” that really made you get into wine. They are the true template for all future wines you will drink because they are your first entry into the wine world; much like a girl’s father is the template upon which they compare the first boys they meet. Some would argue that by having no frame of reference, the starter wine doesn’t matter. It could be a bottle of Boone’s Farm or a Petrus. This is exactly the point. That first taste, be it crap or cuvee, should be remembered. Before setting out on any adventure, keeping in mind where you started from is just as important as knowing your destination. Starter wines—unless you are lucky or grew up around a winery—are usually lower quality, let’s just say. They are the box wines, suspicious jugs of antifreeze with labels that say “Burgundy” or “Chablis,” Two Buck Chucks, or if you really want to limbo under that bar: Thunderbird and the immortal Night Train. All technically count as wine, and all serve a purpose.

We need to remain respectful of these beginner beauties because the wine industry in America would not exist without them. Not only have they produced hundreds of successful businesses, but they serve as trainers for future wine drinkers. The starter wine helps you to discover and hone your palate. They help you figure out what you do and do not like, rather than being told, something that runs rampant in the American wine industry. Some people want to stick with the jug wine, while others may realize that they want to go after something better for a few extra bucks. Each is a successful decision.

The cheap wines of the world should be revered rather than scoffed at. Don’t think back on those days of cheap wine drinking and ask, “What in the world was I thinking drinking that?” Rather, look back with a sense of gratitude. Gratitude that someone took a risk and showed up (it might have been you) to a party with a jug of “Rosé” rather than the typical six pack. Show some respect for those days when the word “palate” meant nothing to you and your decision-making process for wine involved, while scanning the price tags on the lowest shelf. The spectacular wines you enjoy in your life right now might not be as enjoyable—or have ever come across your radar—without them.

These were three of my Starter Wines:

What was your Starter Wine?