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Grüner Veltliner, Summer Sippers
Copyright Luis Reyneri, Sommelier, www.grapeadvice.com
Have you ever had a glass of Grüner Veltliner? Can you pronounce Grüner Veltliner
(Groo-ner-velt-lee-ner)? If you haven't enjoyed this delicious summer time varietal
perhaps you can practice the pronunciation while enjoying a glass or bottle.
Grüner Veltliner is indigenous to Austria sharing about one third (17,479 acres) of their total viticultural area. It makes a wonderfully delicious and refreshing white wine,
especially for this time of the year while the weather is warm. Grüner Veltliner extends to other regions of Austria including Burgenland, Niederösterreich, Steiermark and
Wein. It is more prevalent in Niederösterreich enjoying over 14,000 acres.
Visually, Grüner Veltliner makes a clear and bright white wine. This is a dry wine with crisp and clear fruit flavors that are refreshing while filling the glass with hints of white
pepper and green vegetal notes like celery and asparagus. They are medium bodied and have a lingering finish on the palate. It is best to drink them young.
At this time in our restaurant I pair them in our 5-course degustation menu with the starter course: lobster salad on a bed of crisp salad greens. I find the well-balanced
acid and fruit relationship shines with the seafood and piggy backs the salad flavors. Lean, bright and refreshing, my guests enjoy this first wine as it leaves the palate refreshed and ready for the next course.
If you haven't tried one yet, here are 3 "quick picks" that are reasonably priced between $35 -$50 at most retailers. Weingut Brundlmayer, Alte Reben, 2002,
Weitenberg, Smaragd, Prager, Wachau, 2002, and Kremser Freiheit, Nigl, Kremstal, 2003. Each one represents the typicity of Austria's gift to the wine world so stock up
now and enjoy the summer sippers at the beach or poolside. Que rico!!!
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Last updated on April 30, 2008