This difficult-to-pronounce Austrian grape variety is also called Gru – Ve or Groovy! Not a tongue twister now, is it?
The name Grüner Veltliner translates to Green wine of Veltlin. Veltlin was a region in the lower Alps and is now known as Valtellina in Italy.
The ‘green’ flavour referred to here is often the peppery notes of the wine.
Widely planted in the Austrian wine regions of Wachau, Kamptal and Kremstal (near the Danube river), it is also grown in some parts of Slovenia, Czech Republic, Italy, and New Zealand.
With flavours of lime, green and white pepper and lemon, it is a refreshing white wine with tart acidity and can be a great alternative to Sauvignon Blanc, Dry Reisling and even unoaked Chardonnay
These wines can range from medium-bodied, zesty and fresh styles to full-bodied, rich and creamy style with flavours of lemon, honey and nuts.
Although late to the party, it is now available in most parts of the world and features in almost all good wine lists.
Grüner Veltliner wines pair well with a wide range of foods. The lighter, fresher styles pair well with salads and vegetables while the bolder wines with high acidity can be paired with schnitzel, tuna and quiches. It is also the wine of choice to pair with Vietnamese, Thai and Japanese food.
Some suggested food pairings are:
1. Zoodles, Salads, Grilled Vegetables and Green Leafy Vegetables. The green flavours of the wine pair well with these plant-based dishes.
2. Wiener Schnitzel. The traditional Austrian food goes well with Grü-Ve. It complements the flavours of fried meat and the sharp acidity balances the crispness.
3. Goat cheese, Feta or Mozzarella. The refreshing wine is a great pair for these fresh cheeses.
4. Sushi. The light yet powerful flavours of Japanese dishes match the flavours of the wine well. Grüner Veltliner pairs especially well with Wasabi.
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