Go to section: What is grüner veltliner? | Where is grüner veltliner planted? | What does grüner veltliner taste like? | What is grüner veltliner similar to? | What food does grüner veltliner pair with?
What is grüner veltliner?
Grüner veltliner [grew-ner velt-lee-ner] or 'grü-vee', as it's sometimes nicknamed, is Austria’s signature white wine grape. A natural cross between savagnin and an obscure variety called grün muskateller, grüner veltliner is a versatile grape that can produce a range of wine styles. Although it originates from Niederösterreich (Lower Austria), the name translates to ‘green veltliner’ or ‘green wine from Veltlin', which was an area in the lower Alps during the 1600s that is now part of Valtellina, Italy.
Where is grüner veltliner planted?
In Austria, grüner veltliner accounts for over a third of the country’s total vineyard plantings. In Niederösterreich, it accounts for half! Here, it generally produces quite neutral wines or is used as the base for sekt. The best examples are grown on the banks of the Danube in the Wachau, west of Vienna, as well as in Kremstal and Kamptal. Outside of Austria, grüner veltliner is grown in Germany, Czech Republic, Bulgaria, Hungary and Italy. Beyond Europe, it can be found in the USA (Oregon and California), and British Colombia in Canada. There are also plantings in New Zealand.
The first Australian grüner veltliner was produced by Canberra winery Lark Hill in 2009, with Hahndorf Hill in Adelaide Hills not far behind in 2010, and Stoney Rise in 2012. Today, there are over 50 producers across the country making grüner veltiner, many of which are in the Adelaide Hills, although numbers are growing in regions such as Tumbarumba, Tasmania, and the Alpine Valleys.
What does grüner veltliner taste like?
Grüner veltliner typically shows citrus (grapefruit, lemon, lime and sometimes mandarin) characters, savoury, herbaceous characters like dill, radish and green beans, and, thanks to the rotundone compound, a distinct white pepper character.
Depending on yields and ripeness, grüner veltliner can either be lean, racy and fresh, or full-bodied, rich and concentrated.
What is grüner veltliner similar to?
You'll like grüner veltliner if you like riesling, chardonnay, sauvignon blanc, savagnin, or fiano.
What does grüner veltliner pair with?
Grüner veltliner pairs well with creamy or fatty dishes (think Wiener schnitzel and potato salad) due to its high acidity and hints of spice, but can also stand up against moderately spiced dishes (ramen, for example). Its herbaceousness is also a great match for green vegetables as well as cheese, including goat’s and Gruyère.
Sign up to view these tasting notes and ratings
By becoming a member of Wine Companion, you'll have access to the largest database of wines in Australia.
Become a Halliday Wine Companion member
Sign up to become a Halliday member and unlock a wealth of benefits, including:
- Brand-new tasting notes delivered to your inbox weekly
- Digital access to our library of over 190,000 tasting notes from 4000+ wineries
- Halliday magazine delivered to your door
- Member-exclusive articles and stories written by Australia's best wine writers
- Member-exclusive offers from our winery and retail partners
- Early access to Halliday events across Australia
And much more. Become a Halliday member today.
