Bedell First Crush Red`08 (not TJ's) $16.99 ***

The first winery I ever visited was Bedell - happy, happy memories of the North Fork of Long Island.  A lot has changed in the years since I first was at their tasting room  - originally in a barn, now it is pretty swank, and owned by a Hollywood producer.

I was at a tasting a while back and the rep was pouring their newest, First Crush.  This red is 72% merlot, 28% cabernet franc.  Both wines that I love.  No oak (another hit with me) and no tannins.  This is a fresh, kind of acidic fruity, light red wine that tastes of slightly tart raspberry, and smells like crushed fresh fruit (I love that smell!).  I chilled it slightly, and we really liked it. This "first crush" is pretty much a text book example of a lightweight's starter red wine. After the vinturi, this kind of sharp wine mellowed.  It is well worth decanting.

It is sunny and hot here in NYC 88 degrees, and I am out of white wine.  I cooked up some skirt steak, tossed a salad, toasted some bread from the Farmer's Market, and here is dinner.

Here is a hint though, and I am told that it is industry wide.  This wine is more expensive at the tasting room than in the wine shops of NYC. To save some money, do your market research before you load up at the winery (the money you save could pay for a vineyard VIP tour & tasting).