Grüner Veltliner

Synonym: Weißgipfler, Grüner Muskateller

Origin: The origins of Grüner Veltliner are so far not clear. It is not related botanically to Roter-, Brauner- and Frühroter Veltliner, among other namesakes. With the help of DNA –analysis, Traminer has been identified as one of the parent varieties; the other remains unknown. While it is said that even the Romans drank Grüner Veltliner, the name of this variety has been known only since the mid-19th century. Prior to this time, it was called Grüner Muskateller – although there is no relation to the Muskateller variety. Grüner Veltliner is Austria´s flagship variety, planted in more than one third of the country´s vineyards. The areas where Veltliner is most widely-planted are located in the state of Niederösterreich, or Lower Austria. The grape is also common in northern Burgenland and around Vienna. In Lower Austria´s Weinviertel - the largest wine growing region in Austria - Grüner Veltliner has been elevated from a wine showing regional typicity to that of a DAC appellation wine.Vineyards: 13.518 Hektar (or 29,4%)


Characteristic: The range of wine styles with this variety are nothing less than remarkable. Not only can it be produced as a light and pleasant, easy-drinking wine, but it can also yield powerful, multilayered wines with tremendous aging potential; like Riesling, the Grüner Veltliner can perfectly reflect terroir in the bottle and ultimately win over wine lovers with its individual varietal expression. Also highly impressive and complex are the Prädikat wines made from this variety. These wines tend to show fruity-spicy notes, with a dash of "Pfefferl" - freshly ground black pepper – included.

Grüner Veltliner grows so well in Austria because of the ideal soil and climate conditions here. Whether the soils are water-retentive, such as with loess, loam and clay, or are very meager, like the primary rock found in the Wachau, Kamptal and Kremstal regions, it doesn´t matter with the Veltliner. This variety is a late-ripening one; it especially loves Austria´s mild Indian Summer days, when its wonderful aromas develop best. And whether aging of the wine takes place in “classic” steel tanks or in large wooden barrels, excellent results are obtained.

Recommendation: “Heurigen Buffet” with baked and roasted chicken, Wiener schnitzel, trout and cheese. Grüner Veltliner is considered a very good food companion because of the various different styles. Drinking temperature 8 to 11 °C.