Grüner Veltliner is the signature grape of Austria, where it takes up about 30 percent of the country’s vineyards. Grüner Veltliner wines offer light and refreshing flavors of citrus and stone fruit with a distinctive note of white pepper. While most Grüner wines are best enjoyed young, some selections from Austrian wine regions west of Vienna (Wachau, Kremstal, and Kamptal) are more complex, offering mineral notes and the ability to age and develop additional aromas and flavors in the bottle.
3 facts you should know about Grüner Veltliner
- Grüner Veltliner is pronounced GREW-ner FELT-leaner
- This wine goes by other names, including Grüner, GV, and Gru-Vee (groovy)
- It is an ancient natural cross between Savagnin and St. Georgener-rebe
Color
Tasting profile
Grüner Veltliner is a lean, dry white wine with very high acidity and low tannins. Most wines are best drunk young within one to two years of the vintage. These young wines are often sealed with screw caps and can sometimes have a bit of effervescence.
Grüner is also age-worthy like Riesling and Chardonnay. Grapes from the best regions are aged several years and develop a fuller body with a creamy mouthfeel while maintaining high acidity.
Sekt, or Austrian sparkling wine, can also be made from Grüner grapes, but these wines are not usually found outside of Austria.
Primary Grüner Veltliner flavors
Fresh and lively to full-bodied and concentrated, Grüner Veltliner can range in style based on the quality of grapes and how they are matured and aged. Most Grüner is fermented in stainless steel to maintain the citrus, stone fruit, and vegetal qualities. However, some wines are matured in oak casks adding weight and complexity.
If you like Sauvignon Blanc, you should give Grüner Veltliner a try. Young Grüner has fresh fruit aromas and flavors of lime, lemon, grapefruit, and nectarine. Wines are also known to have herbaceous qualities like asparagus, minerality, and a signature white pepper aroma.Time spent aging in the bottle develops aromas of honey and nuts, plus a creamy, rich texture.
Flavors of Grüner Veltliner
Lemon, lime, grapefruit and citrus flavors with notes of mineral, spice and everything nice - shop different expressions of this wine style below!
Key Grüner Veltliner winemaking regions
Grüner Veltliner grapes are late ripening and struggle to grow in northern European countries.
Austria
Austria grows 75 percent of the world’s Grüner Veltliner and it makes up 30 percent of the grapes grown in the county. It can be found in every winemaking region in Austria. The most notable regions are in the area called Lower Austria, which is in the northeast along the border with the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Hungary.
Weinviertal is the most northerly region. Grapes grown in this region produce wines that are fresh, crisp, aromatic, and best enjoyed when young.
Kamptal and Kremstal are located just below Weinviertal and are known for producing high-quality Grüner. The loess soil creates highly mineral wines with stone fruit and herbal notes.
Wachau is just south of Kamptal and Kremstal. The Danube River runs through this region and grapes are grown on steeply terraced south-facing vineyards. Only a small portion of Austria’s Grüner is grown here but they are among some of the most sought-after wines. You can find both fresh and fuller-bodied styles of Grüner Veltliner from this region.
Others
Not much Grüner Veltliner is grown outside of Austria. You can find some wine produced in the neighboring countries of Slovakia, Hungry (where Grüner is called Zöldveltelini), and the Czech Republic (where it is known as Veltin or Veltínské Zelené). Italy and Germany also grow some Grüner in Alto Adige and Rheinhessen. In the New World, Australia, New Zealand, and the US also grow minimal amounts.
Grüner Veltliner food pairings
When it comes to pairing food and wine, Grüner shines. Bright citrus and stone fruit flavors plus high acidity make Grüner Veltliner a great food companion. Try it with light meat dishes such as seafood, chicken, and sashimi. It also goes well with bitter, strongly flavored greens such as artichokes and asparagus.
Fuller-bodied styles are perfect for slightly richer dishes such as those you would consider pairing with Chardonnay. A classic pairing is Austrian Wiener Schnitzel where the acidity of the wine complements the fried veal. Spicy Asian dishes are also a great match for richer styles.
Ready to learn more? Explore our guides to other lively white wines including Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, and Chardonnay.
More White & Rose Wine Guides
Wine Similar to Grüner Veltliner
Shop through wines that share characteristics with Grüner Veltliner - such as Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc, and even Argentinian Torrontés!
