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A slight whisper of a late-summer breeze was the only relief from the heat, but throngs of people still flooded through the gates of the 20th Annual New Mexico Wine Festival at Bernalillo.

More than 20 New Mexico wineries were happy to oblige the crowds during the long Labor Day weekend with a variety of wines - crisp whites, rich reds and everything in between.

Crowds had eased a bit Monday afternoon from the long lines the day before. Estimates of total attendance were not available.

A chocolatey red wine called Black Beauty from Black Mesa Vineyards kept everyone talking Monday, but the wide selection of wines lured in connoisseurs of all types.

"I just recently visited Europe and tasted a lot of wine," said Alison Wagner, 21, a University of New Mexico student. "I wanted to see what New Mexico had to offer."

There were local food vendors giving out samples and quickly selling out of goat cheese, sweet green chile and specialty beef jerky. Fair foods such as turkey legs, Indian tacos and ice cream kept the hungry happy.

Clad in straw hats, sunglasses and sundresses or T-shirts, groups of friends and entire families gathered to enjoy the festivities, ignoring the beads of sweat dripping down the backs of their necks and instead focusing on the smooth sips of wine sliding down their throats.

Tim Garner, 59, attended the festival with his daughter, Kristy Garner, 34. Recent transplants to Albuquerque, the Garners said they have attended many wine festivals in different areas of the country and that the Bernalillo festival holds up well.

"New Mexico wines are getting better and better," Tim Garner said. "And the people are the best. They make it such a comfortable, pleasant event in a very nice setting."