Wine Varietals: Gruner Veltliner

Filed in archive Wine Tasting on May 28, 2008

Grüner Veltliner is one of those unique grapes that thrives only in one little pocket of the world. In this case, that pocket is located in Austria near Vienna and along the Danube River and in the Moravia region of the neighboring Czech Republic. Wines made from this grape account for 36 percent of Austria's wine production and 11 percent of Czech wines.

This hearty grape likes the rocky soil of this region and its profile ranges from citrus to floral to peppery, depending on where it's planted. Most Gr Veltliner wines are crisp, dry wines that are best consumed young. They make a good accompaniment to complex and spicy dishes, such as Asian or Thai cuisine.

^{(photo © Rosenweig/cc license)}