Wanda Haynes,
Certified Sommelier
Grüner Veltliner is a dry white wine varietal grown primarily in Austria, Hungary, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic. The attractive leaves of the grape vine are five-lobed with grapes that ripen in October.
The flavors in Grüner Veltliner are lime, lemon, herbs, green veggies, and saline. However, what makes Grüner Veltliner unique is its signature acidity that explodes in the mouth.
The correct pronunciation is grew-ner velt-LEE-ner and in certain parts of Europe it’s referred to as “groovy” and most people in the wine world call it gruner.
This amazing wine is also produced into an ice wine. A gruner ice wine has a nutty, orange marmalade taste, with a light sultana finish, and delicious alone or with desert.
Grüner Veltliner as a sparkling wine offers fresh aromas of green apple, Asian pear, and baking spices. Its delicate texture is beautifully balanced by crisp natural acidity, and the finish is smooth and lavishly creamy.
