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Grüner Veltliner grape
Grüner Veltliner is a white grape known for green apple, pepper, lime. Its best-known homes are Austria.
Origin and history
An Austrian grape; DNA proves it a cross of Savagnin and St Georgen, an old vine found in Burgenland in 2000.
Where it grows
Austria (Wachau, Kamptal, Kremstal, Weinviertel, Wagram), plus the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, New Zealand and the US.
Structure
Light to full body with crisp, high acidity; dry, usually unoaked, from light quaffers to rich, powerful wines.
Aromas, young and aged
Young: green apple, lime, white pepper, lentil and celery. With age: honey, toast, nuts and smoky, savoury notes.
Ageing
Everyday wines are best within 1–3 years; top Wachau Smaragd and Kamptal wines can age 15–20+ years.
Also known as
Grüner, Weissgipfler, Veltlínské Zelené.
Good to know
Austria's most planted grape (about a third of vineyards); its peppery 'Pfefferl' character comes from rotundone, the same compound as in Syrah.
Wine regions for Grüner Veltliner
Grüner Veltliner wines to try
Real bottles from The Wine Library.
Domäne Wachau Grüner Veltliner Federspiel Terrassen
Fresh and peppery: green apple, citrus and white pepper.
Food: Schnitzel, vegetables
F.X. Pichler Grüner Veltliner Ried Klostersatz
Wachau Grüner from a top grower: white pepper, citrus and depth.
Food: Wiener schnitzel, asparagus
Jules Taylor Grüner Veltliner
Marlborough · Grüner Veltliner
Marlborough Grüner: white pepper, pear and freshness.
Food: Asian dishes, salads
Weingut Knoll Grüner Veltliner Smaragd Ried Loibenberg
Powerful yet poised Grüner: ripe pear, white pepper and lentil-like savouriness over a firm spine of acidity.
Food: Wiener Schnitzel, roast pork belly
Similar white grapes
Explore all grapes in the interactive guide
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