Austria's absolute pride is the White Grüner Veltliner grape, and who doesn't know it? A well-known wine for years, it's gaining more and more fans. Its beautiful characteristics of purity, freshness, and ripeness appeal to many wine lovers. After many years, the bunches still hang in the Austrian mountains, and the old vines are currently producing truly magnificent bunches. Big Austrian names like Leth and Allram have truly magnificent vineyards filled with Grüner Veltliner.

Grüner Veltliner loves coolness

Coolness is the key to the Grüner Veltliner grape, because that's what it loves. This results in a long growing season, and the bunches ripen very late. This tranquility allows the vines to provide the grapes with everything they need. The Grüner Veltliner grape draws its strength from the chalky soil of the Austrian mountains. The grapes' very long bunches are a hallmark of the Grüner Veltliner grape. It's important, and every year, the grapes hopefully experience a warm autumn, which is often essential for top wines. The late warmth gives the grapes an extra boost and makes them even fuller-bodied.

Grüner Veltliner grapes are usually harvested by hand because they often grow on steep slopes where harvesting with a machine is impossible. This results in most wines being pure and powerful, thanks to the hand-selected grapes. Sometimes oak aging is used, using only very ripe and the best bunches. A light oak aging can add extra power to a Grüner Veltliner wine. Aging doesn't last for many months, but just a few months are enough to allow the wine to truly shine in the glass.

How long can I keep a Grüner Veltliner?

Can you keep a Grüner Veltliner for a long time? Unfortunately, no. The wine is at its best when fresh, so drinking it young is essential. A standard Grüner Veltliner can be enjoyed about two to three years after the vintage. Full-bodied wines, such as Reserve quality, are more intense and can be kept longer. Did you know that some wineries also make a sparkling Grüner Veltliner? Pfaffl and Schlumberger are excellent examples.

What pairs best with Gruner Veltliner wine? Quite a lot, actually, as the wine has a pleasantly smooth character. Salads, asparagus, chicken dishes, and various types of fish, such as whitefish or shellfish, are delicious, for example.