Grüner veltliner is the native grape of Austria, and is known for its signature high acidity. The key fruit flavours are lemon, lime, grapefruit and nectarine with notes of white pepper, and sometimes ginger and honey.
When it comes to food, grüner pairs with spice (think Asian cuisines), vegetables like asparagus and artichokes, and fried food like schnitzel and even fish and chips.
Below are three expressions of grüner veltliner to try.
2022 Hahndorf Hill Gru Grüner Veltliner
This wine has a perfumed nose of nectarine, peach and lime peel. The palate explodes with ruby grapefruit, guava, sliced pear and spice - all swirling in a juicy acidity. The finish is long and flavoursome, with exciting layers of appealing texture and spice.Winemaker Larry Jacobs says: The Gru Grüner Veltiner is our classic style and is one of four different styles we produce. It’s designed to allow all the exciting and complex aromatics and flavours to be expressed, but to also include the important savoury, spice and textural elements. This classic style illustrates the extraordinary ability grüner has to match with a wide range of foods.
H. What do you love about grüner veltliner?
LJ. What really excites me about grüner veltliner is its versatility and its easy ability to produce delicious wines with extraordinary complexity and age-worthiness. Grüner has established a reputation as being one of the most food-friendly wines on the planet.
Best enjoyed: Pair the 2022 with white meats, seafood, South-East Asian cuisine, all vegetables, rare red meats and charcuterie.
RRP $34 | Drink to 2032 | hahndorfhillwinery.com.au
2022 OSSA Grüner Veltliner
Aromas of fresh fennel, white stone fruit and lime curd are underpinned by classic nuances of savoury white pepper. The palate is taught and textural. Oak fermentation provides layers of baking spice and fresh almond notes with lingering flavours reminiscent of meyer lemon and pear.Owner Rod Roberts says: Our Austrian son-in-law first introduced us to the varietal and insisted we plant some on our Belbrook Vineyard. It turns out, it's a great fit for our microclimate, and we're thrilled with the style it is producing. We are also very proud to have one of the largest plantings in Tasmania.
H. What do you love about grüner veltliner?
RR. Regardless of origin, grüner is the best food wine! If you see it on a wine list – order it – you won’t be disappointed. The bright acidity and spice quality make grüner a great pairing with all types of food.
Best enjoyed: Grüner pairs with everything! Asian cuisine is the obvious choice, however it works great with salads, bitter greens and even asparagus. The oak fermentation in the OSSA Grüner adds a textural component that stands up against rich seafood dishes, and olive oil or cream-based pasta dishes.
RRP $60 | Drink to 2028 | ossa.wine
2022 Sinapius Close Planted Grüner Veltliner
White flowers and ripe honey dew notes on the nose. Citrus, freshly cut pear and mineral notes on the palate, beautifully balanced with a creamy texture and long finish.Winemaker Linda Morice says: Our grüner is sourced from high-density planted vines (7700 vines/ha) and a newer grafted block (originally planted 1994). Grüner veltliner is a relatively new variety to be planted in Tasmania and it has so much potential in this cool climate. The ultimate goal with this wine is to express its varietal characteristics, and with extended lees ageing and malolactic fermentation, create a textural wine with plenty of interest.
H. What do you love about grüner veltliner?
LM. What’s not to love? An aromatic wine that offers so much in terms of texture and weight, but balanced with stunning freshness and acidity. A perfect food wine with its savoury edge that makes it so versatile with a range of cuisines. So good at times, that food is not always required.
Best enjoyed: This wine takes me straight back to a Heuriger (wine tavern) in Austria. Grüner is perfectly at home with traditional, local food like schnitzel and sauerkraut. It's also amazing with cheese and meat appetisers – just add some music and a relaxed atmosphere and you'll be transformed there.
RRP $38 | Drink to 2030 | sinapius.com.au
