Masi Tupungato Passo Blanco 2008

This has not been a good week for me wine-wise. I've had four different wines- why so many? Because I keep pouring them out. A bottle of the Anheuser Riesling was badly corked. Then there was the Masi Rosato. Then a bottle of 89RP rated wine picked up in New Hampshire that was undrinkably wretched. Then this. This wine is made by Masi in Argentina. It is a blend of Pinot Grigio and Torrontes, and that is what it tastes like. But not in a good way. It starts off crisp but neutral, like a typical Pinot Grigio in this price range, but then finishes with a sharp sour sherry (not cherry) taste that I attribute to the Torrontes. Not good. Kelly's reaction to her first sip was "Did you buy this wine to cook with?" Answer: No. For less money I can get a cooking wine that I can actually drink.

Price: $18.79
Score: 78
Value: 1/5
Region: Argentina
UPC: 8002062001768

Zuccardi Fuzion White 2008

Here is another white value wine - and it's not just value priced, it actually delivers. I went to the ANBL for a bottle of white wine for cooking, and one of the young staff - not a consultant - pointed me to this one and said "This is a $10 wine that drinks like $14-$15 wine." He was wrong - it drink more like an $18-$20 bottle. I tested it to make sure it was fit for cooking - not something you can count on for $10 - and it was, and more. I had been intending to open something else to have while cooking, but I discovered that I was more than satisfied with the Fuzion. Crisp, very well balanced with clean citrusy fruit - a bit like a less acidic Sauv Blanc. I think 87 is about right for the score, though I liked it better than the Symphony which I also rated 87. An unquestionable 5/5 for value. This may be the first wine under $10 that I've actually enjoyed.

Price $9.99
Score: 87
Value: 5/5
Region: Argentina
Grapes: Chenin Blanc, Torrontes
UPC: 7791728017342