North Stonington— This Valentine's Day, skip the chalky candy hearts and the cutesy cards.

To really impress, give your Valentine DARK, a port-style wine from the local Jonathan Edwards Winery.

A blend of two-thirds Petite Sirah and one-third Zinfandel, and fortified with two-year barrel aged brandy, DARK lives up to its name. A full and rich dessert wine, the 2007 Napa Valley vintage tastes like dark cherries and dark chocolate, with a spicy, peppery finish.

It comes in a sleek black bottle with gold lettering, a unique gift for someone special. Pair it with just about any dessert, from chocolate cake to crème brulee or a strong cheese, like Stilton.

The winery has been making a port-style wine since 2003.

To kick off the Valentine's Day weekend celebration, the winery is hosting an event that features the ruby port-style wine— "DARK and Decadent" on Friday Feb. 11, 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.

"We'll have live music and a nice group of people in an elegant setting," said Erica Cyr, who handles events and marketing at the winery. "It's a great way to start the weekend."

Attendees can drink a complimentary glass of DARK— which is a great way to sample the wine before splurging on the $40 bottle— listen to acoustic music from the Travelers Duo in the candle-lit Barrel Room, while snacking on small bites and dark chocolates from Westerly's own Hauser Chocolatier.

Tickets are $10 for members and $15 for non-members. Space is limited and the event often sells out. Contact the winery to purchase tickets or a bottle of DARK. The 375 ml bottle is 18.6 percent alcohol by volume.