A Tour of Wine Grapes: Gruner Veltliner

Gruner Veltliner

Grüner Veltliner (grew-ner felt-lee-ner) is a white wine grape that is prodomanatly grown in Austria, accounting for more than a third of the country’s total vineyard area with Slovakia, Hungary and the Czech Republic being the other significant growers.

Often just referred to as “Grüner,” this wine is typically low in body, tannin and sweetness but high in acidity. But, being a very versatile grape, it can also produce wines that are rich and full-bodied.

Key flavors of wines produced from Grüner Veltliner grapes includes lime, lemon and grapefruit. But, most famously, it has spicy, herbal notes of white pepper, radish and lentils. Bet you haven’t had a wine with notes of lentil before!

Grüner Veltliner is one of the few white wines that can be incredibly age-worthy, though its longevity depends heavily on the style. Everyday versions are meant for early consumption while high-quality productions can age for 10 to 30 years or more!

Grüner Veltliner wines should be served cold (45 to 55 F) in a white wine glass. No decanting required.

Behind the Cork™ - Domane Wachau Gruner Veltliner

2021 Domäne Wachau Grüner Veltliner Federspiel Tarrassen ($18.99)

Domäne Wachau is deeply rooted in the Wachau region of Austria and manages 30 percent of the entire Wachau vineyard area (400 hectares), including half of Austria’s most iconic vineyard, Achleiten. Additional famous vineyards such as Kollmitz, Liebenberg and Tausend-Eimer-Berg are found on the Domäne Wachau’s vineyard map and make it the only winery in the Wachau with wines from all of the most prestigious sites in the region.

The grapes for this Grüner Veltliner (grew-ner felt-lee-ner) Federspiel (11.5%-12.5% ABV) Terrassen are from steeply terraced vineyards above the Danube River, throughout the Wachau valley in Austria. It is here that two-thirds of the world’s Grüner Veltliner grapes are grown.

This wine is one of two key styles of Grüner Veltliner wine. It is lighter, fresher and with minerality and citrus character. And, like this one, is often bottled with a slight spritz that helps to emphasize its fresh fruity notes.

This wine is pale gold in color with aromas of green apple and citrus. On the palate, it has bright fruit flavors, very light bubbles, refreshing acidity and wonderfully light finish. This is a dry wine with just 1 g/l of residual sugar.

This is a super refreshing wine that should be well chilled. Cheers!

Samples Imported and Provided by Gonzalez Byass (via Donna White Communications)

Behind the Cork™ - Domäne Wachau Grüner Veltliner Federspiel

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2019 Domäne Wachau Grüner Veltliner Federspiel ($14.99)

Grüner Veltliner is Austria’s most important grape variety. And this one is from the famous Wachau Valley noted for its steep terraced vineyards.

The word Federspiel in this wine’s name identifies it as one of three categories of wines from the Wachau Valley. Federspiel wines have a maximum alcohol content of 12.5% and Chaptalisation (The process of adding sugar to fermenting grapes to increase the final alcohol level) is strictly forbidden. The word Federspiel is derived from falconry which was a very popular leisure time activity among the nobility in Medieval times.

This wine is produced from 100% Grüner Veltliner grapes that are fermented in stainless steel tanks in order to preserve the fresh fruit flavors of the wine.

It is a bright yellow-green in color. On the nose it has vibrant aromas of green apple, citrus and cut grass. On the palate it is light and refreshing with crisp acidity and a long finish with hints of citrus.

Chill this one to 48 degrees F and enjoy with lighter fare such as fish, seafood and poultry or with the traditional Austrian cuisine of ‘Wiener Schnitzel.’ Cheers!

Disclosure of Wine Sample Submission: I received this sample at no cost for review. The opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Sample Provided by Rebekah Polster, Donna White Communications