Want to impress your friends? Bring a bottle of high-quality vino to a dinner party, then blow them away with the price. Bonus points for being able to name why it costs what it does. (The nerdier you can get about it the better.) In the eternal quest to get more bang for your buck, wine is a heavy hitter. So with Friendsgivings and Thanksgiving right around the corner, we tapped Erica Skurnik of New York’s Skurnik Wines & Spirits to discover the best wines for Thanksgiving under $20
“A common misconception about wine is that a higher price indicates higher quality,” notes Skurnik. “There are some incredible wines coming from lesser-known regions or made with lesser-known grapes falling into the under $20 category—it just might take some extra time and effort to find them.”
Erica Skurnik is part of the second generation of wine professionals at Skurnik Wines & Spirits. She sits on the New York City Sales Management team and has experience across the company, including the American wine portfolio. Before joining the family business, Skurnik worked in Human Resources at major financial services companies. A New York native and Brooklyn resident, she enjoys exploring the city’s restaurant scene, attending concerts and Broadway shows, and showing off photos of her French Bulldog.
An Expert Recommends the Best Wines for Thanksgiving Under $20
Though she never imagined joining the family business growing up, Skurnik eventually felt a tug after graduating from Vanderbilt and pursuing a successful career in Human Resources. “As a kid, you never think what your dad does for work is ‘cool,’ but we always had wine on the dinner table, and I ended up knowing more about the stuff through osmosis than I realized,” Skurnik says.
Given that the wine industry is one of the few dominated by family-owned businesses, Skurnik believes the company’s generational element has been vital. “Having family on both sides of the coin is part of the secret sauce that contributes to our success,” she notes.
Are there certain varietals that are known for maintaining quality at lower price points?
Wine prices are not dictated by grape variety alone. For example, Cabernet Sauvignon tends to rack up a high bill when it comes from certain regions of the world—like Napa Valley, Bordeaux—but not in others—Chile, Australia, Washington. Pinot Noir from Burgundy will cost you a pretty penny, but Pinot Noir from Oregon or California can be more reasonably priced. There are lots of high-quality options at every price point in the wine world, so my advice would be to look for a strong importer, distributor, or wine shop that you trust to find great values at lower price points.
Are there certain regions that are known for producing high-quality wines at lower prices?
Just like grape varietals, certain wine regions come with a luxury brand price tag. While there are some wine regions of the world that automatically come with a higher price tag (like Burgundy or Napa Valley), there are plenty of regions that are producing super high-quality juice without the price barrier to entry.
Some of my favorite regions that fall into this category include Chile, Argentina, Spain, Portugal, South Africa, Washington, and Oregon.
How can you spot high-quality, affordable wine labels?
One great way to do that is to familiarize yourself with importers—such as Skurnik—looking for our label on the back of a bottle is a great way to seek out quality. As a general rule, it’s best to judge wines based on whether you like how they taste, and not how they are priced.
What are the best wines for Thanksgiving dinner?
The large variety of Thanksgiving foods means you can offer wines of many styles, and have something for everyone to enjoy. Thanksgiving is complicated, so your wine choices don’t need to be. The main focus is on the food, of course, so I’ve provided some wine suggestions—all under $20—that will not break the bank or overpower your meal.
White and Sparkling
To keep things light, bubbly, and dry in the best way.
For the holidays, it’s always nice to have a little bubbly on hand. Skurnik recommends Conqiulla Cava as a reasonable alternative to Champagne. “Fine, delicate bubbles with good acidity—this is also a delicious option for drinking alongside your meal if you don’t want to put the glass down,” Skurnik adds.
Schlosskellerei Gobelsburger Gruner Veltliner 2021
If a dry white is what you seek, this Gruner Veltliner from Austria is an exceptional bet. “Gruner Veltliner is versatile and refreshing, with lots of fruit and floral notes,” notes Skurik. “It’s mild enough to drink on its own, but complex enough to pair with food.”
Mullineux Swartland Kloof Street Chenin Blanc 2022
The mineral-driven crowdpleaser is a fresh addition to any Thanksgiving table. “Grown and produced by husband and wife winemaking team Andrea and Chris Mullineux, Kloof Street wines are meant to bring fun, fresh, and fruit forward South African wine to your table at an accessible price point,” Skurnik says.
For those that prefer a bit of acidity over very dry wine, the Selbach is a fruity favorite. “This Riesling was produced by renowned winemaker Johannes Selbach, simply to outshine all other Rieslings from Germany’s Mosel region at, or near this price point,” shares Skurnik.
Rosé and Reds
Full-bodied beauties for Thanksgiving’s heartier fare.
Stolpman ‘Love You Bunches’ Rose 2023
Rosé isn’t just for summer. “Stolpman’s “Love You Bunches” rosé is made from 100% central California grenache,” Skurnik notes. “In addition to its adorable label, this wine offers a light and refreshing palate that can be enjoyed on its own or with food.”
The Pinot Project Pinot Noir 2021
A Pinot is a must for Thanksgiving pairing, and Skurnik loves this bright, light-bodied, and versatile bottle. “Consistently voted in the Top 100 of Wine Enthusiast’s “Best Buys”, this wine comes in at an unbeatable price to quality ratio,” she adds.
“The Mauro Molino winery is one of the very finest, family-owned estates in Piedmont, offering beautiful wines at great prices,” shares Skurnik. “Their Barbera is a fruit-forward and easy-drinking red that pairs well with all kinds of flavorful fare.”
A little Turkey with your Thanksgiving Turkey? “Pasaeli is a family-owned Turkish winery making wines of great value and quality,” adds Skurnik. “Their “House Red” is a juicy blend of indigenous Turkish grapes: Karasakiz, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Çalkaras.”
Altos Las Hormigas ‘Clásico’ Malbec 2021
“Altos Las Hormigas is making some of the most impressive wines in South America—and the world—at mind-boggling prices,” shares Skurnik. The Argentinian “classic” is a perfect light-bodied red to pair with white meat.
2021 Barnard Griffin Cabernet Columbia Valley
“This hails from one of the oldest family-owned wineries in Washington state,” Skurnik notes. “Husband and wife team Deborah Barnard and Rob Griffin started making wine in the Columbia Valley back when it was still considered the “wild west” of winemaking. Today their daughter, Megan, works as assistant winemaker, making it a true family affair. This is the perfect Cab for your guests looking for something a little more rich and full-bodied, at a great value.”
