From Stoney Mesa Winery and Ptarmigan Vineyards in Cedaredge, Colorado comes a wonderful young but rich port at $15.99/bottle.

The 2003 Ptarmigan Vineyards Merlot Port has plenty of chocolate and cherry on the palate with hints of licorice and spice.

And speaking of chocolate, this port is wonderful with rich chocolate desserts but would certainly stand alone with maybe a little cheese or a simple cookie. It is sure to be a big hit with company after a fine meal. But, its not just for dessert. Share this port late at night with your favorite person(s) on the back deck or wherever and whenever the mood presents itself.

I’ve enjoyed this port slightly chilled at Lake Powell in the middle of the afternoon while drifting in the shade of a canyon wall and munching chocolate cookies.

Stoney Mesa Winery and Ptarmigan Vineyards is located at 16199 Happy Hollow Road, Cedaredge, Colorado 81413, just off Colorado Highway 65 in Cedaredge. They have daily tastings between 11:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. On the premises is a gazebo which is great for a picnic lunch and a bottle of wine with friends.

Visit their website.

Sunday was Gloria’s birthday and she asked that we head up north of Durango to the mountains and “check out” some of those places we so regularly drive by without ever stopping. Of course, that also meant a favorite wine with bread and cheese along side. One of Gloria’s favorite wines, if not her favorite, is a German Riesling Auslese. The really good ones are not cheap.

The Schmitges 2005 Erdener Pralat Riesling Auslese was $72.00 for a 500 ml bottle. It was a wonderful Auslese and when paired with a good ciabatta from a local bakery, some cambozola cheese and the alpine setting, we found ourselves close to heaven, especially when sitting by ourselves in a mountan meadow above 10,000′.

The wine itself is sweet, which is a noted characteristic of any auslese, but it was balanced perfectly with enough acidity for a smooth mouth feel. Plenty of exotic fruit on the palate. This wine works well for an informal outing such as ours, an opener with soft cheeses for a get together with friends, or as a dessert wine. If you are not one to enjoy a sweet wine, then I recommend that you try a good German reisling auslese. I suspect that you will be pleasantly surprised.

Great company, great surroundings, a really nice wine on a Sunday afternoon. Happy Birthday Gloria.