At the Nugan Estates tasting and dinner recently at Vertical in the First Canadian Place I chatted with Javier Santos, the main buyer of wines for the General List at the LCBO.
Not all the wines on the General List are cheap, but most are. I asked Javier about the fuss over Fuzion, which I have yet to taste, and if he had any other good recommendations.
Fuzion is a wine company from Argentina and it's caused a bit of a storm in Ontario with its quality/price ratio. "We knew it would do well, but we didn't realize how instantly it would catch on. Shortly after our first deliveries, every store called up and asked for another pallet. We have none left," said Santos, adding that when he was asked to organize a tasting for senior management a couple of weeks later, there was not a single bottle left in Toronto. "We had to call the agent and ask them to send two bottles."
More has been ordered, but it takes time - Santos suggests that the next batch will be available around October/November.
By all accounts - including those of skilled swillers Beppi Crosariol of the Globe and the Post's Margaret Swaine - Fuzion's shiraz/malbec blend is a good quality wine at the rock-bottom price of $7.45.
I pressed for another recommendation, and here's Javier's suggestion of one of the better value whites on the General List right now: Montalto Pinot Grigio from Sicily, just $9.95.
I went and got some and here's what it's like:
Gotta love the screwcap - very modern - and the label's nice too. Fresh and reasonably fruity nose, with apple, pear and a citrus note. Surprisingly full on the palate, but the acidity and alcohol seem unbalanced and intrusive. However, there is a nice smooth finish with a slightly buttery note. Serve it cold - better yet, bring it to a party! It looks and tastes like it costs a little more: not bad for a ten-spot. 86 points.
