Wine of the Week: 1990 and 2001 Prince Poniatowski Vouvray “Clos Baudoin”

I’ve been struggling this week. Fighting a cold, a migraine and exhaustion brought on by working an extra job to pay off my credit cards and writing a book proposal with Brooke of Foodwoolf, I must say finding time to blog, let alone rest, has been a bit of a challenge.

But tonight, with leftovers in the fridge, my boyfriend back east for a wedding and the first preseason Red Sox game on the TV, I can sit back and relax with a glass of wine.

Ahhh.

I tried both the 2001 and the 1990 Prince Poniatowski Vouvray “Clos Baudoin” at work last week as was utterly amazed at the difference a decade made with this wine. The 2001 was mineraly and racy, with diesel notes that made it smell and taste similar to a German Riesling. The 1990, on the other hand, started off with green apple and jasmine aromas with hints of ginger spice. On the palate it was remarkably fresh and vibrant, layering flavors of apple, pear and orange blossom with a vein of limestone minerality and a creamy mid-palate.

Both wines are made entirely from Chenin Blanc and both come from the same legendary Vouvray vineyard, Clos Baudoins. What makes them different is a great lesson in how vintage can affect wine. 1990 was a warmer vintage, which produced richer, sweeter wines. This one was might be categorized as a moelleux, bottled with some residual sugar. 2001 was a cooler vintage that produced drier or sec wines with more pronounced acidity. The dried style is also a great showcase for the vineyard’s terroir. Tasting both side by side is both educational and tasty. And because both wines are naturally high in acidity, they’d pair well with a large variety of light fare, perhaps a pizza with mascarpone and bright green, spring fresh English peas.

Okay, that’s all I’ve got in me. Time to shut down the computer and finish my glass of wine.

Cin Cin.