Honest Wine: What Exactly Is the Sweet Spot $?

Why $20-50 Wines Just Hit Different

It’s no shocker that most of the wines I sell fall in the $20-50 range. In my opinion, that’s the sweet spot—where quality and value meet, where wines actually overdeliver without the sticker shock. This range tends to align with the philosophies I care about to create a bottle with complexity and character: small production, organic practices, and minimal intervention winemaking.

Sure, you can grab a bottle for $6-10 at, say, Trader Joe’s. And I bet its moderately pleasing, I’ve had them! More often than not though, there is that moment where you ask yourself, “what is that I am getting on this?”— a slightly astringent edge you can’t completely put your finger on.

So what really makes a wine worth it to us as drinkers?

A customer and I were chatting about this the other day. She was looking for the $40 version of a particular brand but, at the time, I only had the $25 entry-level bottle in stock. She smiled and said, “I’ll wait until the $40 is back. It’s just smoother to me.” And you know what? I totally got it.

I’ve spent years studying wine, taking intensive courses, and analyzing tasting notes filled with words like juniper berry, cassis, and even tar (yes, tar). But at the end of the day, do those descriptors really matter? Do you feel more connected to a wine if I throw out the word ‘cassis’? I’m guessing probably not. You’ll likely feel a bit connected to the story surrounding the winery, maybe a touch from the label itself, but truly impressed with the quality. Isn’t wine just about the joy of balance in a glass? And the memory lasts based on who you shared the experience with.

Of course, budgets don’t always allow for $40-50 as a go-to weeknight pour (trust me, I get it), but I always want to feel like I’m getting my money’s worth—whether it’s a $20 bottle or up to $100+.

At the end of the day, the sweet spot comes down to how you’re enjoying the bottle. If I’m hosting a dinner party, where conversation is flowing and my attention is split, I’ll happily go for the $20 bottle—something delicious but easygoing. Funny enough, I actually reach for the higher-end wines on a quiet Monday or Tuesday night when it’s just me and my husband. That’s when we can truly slow down, sip intentionally, and savor every drop.

What’s your sweet spot for wine?

** If you want some fun wine content, check out this Bon Appétit video with Eva Longoria and André Mack guessing wine prices. Fun fact: When I first started in the wine industry, I actually spent a day with André, promoting his newest wine brand all over New Jersey!