Fragolino: the end justifies the means - Contest #StorieDiVino

The end justifies the means is perhaps one of the quotes that least represents me, but maybe it's the best one to describe this short story.
I couldn't proceed with the tale without first mentioning my particular love for women, my many acquaintances in the social circles of my city, and my being very demanding when it comes to food and wine (though I am a wine lover, not an industry expert).
I remember it was a winter evening, not too cold – there was me and my faithful friend Gianluca, quite similar to me in the ways I described at the beginning.
The topic was the usual one: women to impress and an evening to spend in good company with some good wine.

The destination chosen that night was selected on the basis of a single principle: we had to create some fun without spending too much, and by avoiding situations where conversation – and possibly making an impression – wouldn't be possible.
Quick choice: we'd head to good old Germano, who runs a bar where you can nibble on simple, affordable dishes.
The charm of that place was its consistently cheerful and jovial atmosphere, and how easy it was to strike up a conversation.
I think the owner did rather well for himself, since despite the low prices he was actually reselling products that were cheap by nature at a very good margin.
Two men, eight women – EXCELLENT, I thought!
We order various things, but knowing the quality of the wines available, I prefer to drink sangria, which at least goes down more smoothly!
Unfortunately, the good rapport we have with the owner would seal the death warrant for my taste buds!
"GUYS, THANK YOU AS ALWAYS! BECAUSE YOU COME TO SEE ME OFTEN AND ALWAYS WITH BEAUTIFUL WOMEN" – I was already beginning, alas, to understand!
"YOU'VE EARNED YOURSELVES A NICE BOTTLE OF MY Fragolino" – exactly what I feared!
A wine that cost about €2.50 a bottle and was being resold for €15 (but promptly gifted to the larger tables and most loyal customers!)
Don't ask me the winery because I never bothered to read the label, given that I never remotely considered buying a wine like that!
You know that feeling when you buy strawberries and you notice a taste of "medicine"? Well, that's the flavour of Germano's famous Fragolino!
Additives, perhaps colourings, and who knows what else!
That dreadful wine did, however, have one quality: women liked it (obviously not wine connoisseurs) because it was incredibly sweet!
The girls were absolutely delighted by the gift (a gift at a venue is always amplified by the setting, especially if you don't know its actual value!) and they appreciated it greatly, to the point that between bottles bought and gifted we exceeded an average of half a bottle each!
The worst part was that we were constantly obliged – morally and out of camaraderie – to drink (or rather to swallow!) ... but all in all we really did have a wonderful evening, and years later the memory of the laughter and good company makes me feel nostalgic even for that truly terrible wine!