Grüner Veltliner Wine

Austria’s most planted grape variety, Grüner Veltliner produces steely, dry white wines similar in style to Riesling.

While typically bottled as a single variety, Grüner Veltliner wines span a wide spectrum of styles, from fruity and slightly sparkling to age-worthy, richly dense wines.

Grüner Veltliner is typically light-bodied and crisp, with flavors of citrus, green apple, and white pepper. Unsurprisingly, then, it’s often said to have a “peppery” taste. While wines from the Grüner Veltliner grape variety are typically made in a dry style, sweeter versions are also produced. Grüner Veltliner wine is often served as an aperitif or with light meals.

Like Chardonnay and Riesling, Grüner Veltliner is a rare white grape variety that is wonderfully age-worthy.

On the lookout for a great Grüner Veltliner wine? Shop our selection of Grüner Veltliner wines to find the perfect wine for your next occasion.

Grüner Veltliner is the flagship white grape of Austria, which produces more than three-quarters of the world’s Grüner Veltliner wines.

It is also grown across the globe, notably in the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Canada, Italy, the U.S., and South Australia.

Grüner Veltliner is best planted on mineral-rich slopes of silt, sand, clay, and rock in warm, sunny climates. Cool evening breezes help prevent the yellow-green grapes from over-ripening in the heat, creating the perfect blend of juicy fruit flavors and zingy acidity.

Grüner Veltliner grapes produce white wines in a variety of styles, from delicious easy-drinking wines meant to be enjoyed young to bottles worth cellaring for a few years before opening.

Drinkers describe a delightfully zingy, explosive sensation thanks to its acidity. Available and enjoyable as a single variety, it can also be combined with other grape varieties to produce refreshing white wine blends.

Grüner Veltliner wine can range from light-full-bodied and has very low tannins and medium alcohol content. Despite being a dry wine, Grüner Veltliner does have a hint of sweetness, but its hallmark high acidity hides it from most drinkers.

The flavors in Grüner Veltliner wine will depend on the age of the wine; however, you can typically expect fresh green fruit flavors with savory green vegetable hints and warm spices.

A young Grüner Veltliner—a year or two after the vintage—is a fresh and lively wine full of citrusy flavors and a hint of heat. Don’t be surprised to find tiny bubbles in this style either—these are just leftover bubbles from the bottling process and won’t affect the texture of the wine. Expect flavors of:

• Lime zest
• Lemon
• Green apple
• White pepper
• Green bean
• Celery
• Grapefruit

In a more mature Grüner Veltliner, these flavors evolve, becoming richer and creamier. The variety’s high acidity makes for fantastic aging potential. Even the wine’s color will change from a very pale green to a luxe golden green. With a Grüner Veltliner that’s aged three to six years, expect to enjoy flavors of:

• White peach
• Honey
• Brazil nuts
• Nectarine
• Ginger

Choosing the right Grüner Veltliner for you comes down to the age of the wine.

Younger styles are vibrant and zesty, with an almost-shocking vein of acidity through them. With their medium body and light minerality, they’re easy to drink and wonderfully refreshing on long, hot summer days.

Wines from the Czech Republic/Slovakia border and Austrian Grüner Veltliners imported into North America typically share this quality–especially look for those from the Wachau or Weinviertel regions.

But if something richer and smoother is more to your taste, look for a Grüner Veltliner from the Pannonian Basin in Lower Austria or the Adelaide Hills area of South Australia.

A glass of Grüner Veltliner wine is the perfect accompaniment to a variety of different foods.

A crisp, zesty wine, Grüner Veltliner pairs wonderfully with richly flavored dishes; it can act as a palate cleanser between bites. Think Asian spices, grilled asparagus, artichoke, and roast chicken, but also delicate seafood, such as shrimp or oysters, and noodle salads. Fresh cheeses, such as goat’s cheese and Mozzarella, also pair well.

In Austria, Grüner Veltliner is the traditional partner to wiener schnitzel—a thin, breaded, and fried veal fillet—served with mashed potatoes.

To enjoy its light aromas, high acidity, and vibrant flavors, you should try to serve Grüner Veltliner ice-cold (45-48° F).

Pour the wine into white wine glasses, leaving about an inch of space at the top of the glass. Finally, enjoy the wine immediately, as it is best when it is fresh.