Cocktails have become somewhat trendy. I suspect that the spirits industry is doing reasonably well. Cocktails are a fun DIY project which doesn’t have to be expensive and can be something that’s “cool” and “fun” without being “snooty”.
I’ve never felt that wine was all that exciting.
In my 20’s and 30’s I had a big group of friends and we threw quite lavish dinner parties once or twice a week. We could down a few cases of wine each night. At the time there was a wine glut, it was the era of 2 buck chuck wine. We drank plenty of 2 buck chuck and similar trader joe’s vintages.
You probably just haven't had the "right" situation.
Pick yourself up a good bottle of Mad Dog, something like an April of 2019-something good like that you know.
Drink it and see if that doesn't change your mind.
The good thing with MD is that even if it doesn't change your mind, when you get done with it you wont give a chit.