I had the opposite experience, I let my wife and daughter pick out my bike and they looked at every one of them on the show room floor. It didn't matter to me. I knew I was going to enjoy it no matter which model was picked.
But I think the key is not to push them. Riding is not for everyone and the more bad experiences they have the less they are going to like it. I got some really good advice from a female rider one time (which unfortunately I didn't follow). If your wife likes to ride they will ask to go and will go out and buy the clothes themselves and maybe buy a bike themselves. I think a lot of guys are so anxious for their wives to enjoy the sport with them that they go out and buy everything for them and then are disappointed when they show little or no interest. Or worse, go out and buy their wife a bike in the hope they'll want to learn to ride it. I think lots of wives shy away from riding because they scare themselves while learning to ride or feel pushed to participate. We've got to let them take their time and figure out if it's for them. BTW - I feel that the gals* who ride on the back or drive the SAG vehicle are just as much a part of the sport as anyone else. Everyone can participate at whatever role they feel most comfortable.
*Guys drive SAGs too but it was awkward to put it in that sentence. Not that there's anything wrong with riding on the back.