Wine Wednesday - Exploring Gruner Veltliner
Happy Wine Wednesday!
As we gear up for the holiday weekend, I have been exploring some new refreshing white wines for beaching and barbecuing, in particular, Grüner Veltliner.
(GREW-nuhr Felt-LEEN-ehr)
One would think the name alone is enough to intrigue one to taste this interesting varietal. In German, Gruner means green. This name was chosen for this varietal, not because it is green, but because it is used to create fresh, drink when young, wines. While mostly grown in Austria, there is some growing along hillsides here in Santa Barbara County.
I have yet to meet a Grüner that I did not appreciate, with citrus and tropical fruit flavors, bright acidity, lovely dry minerality, and hints of white pepper, not to mention, these wines are extremely food friendly.
While I continue to explore - here are a few I have discovered that are worth sipping:
Weingut Knoll Loibner Federspiel Grüner Veltliner
Weingut Jäger Grüner Veltliner Smaragd Achleiten
Tatomer Grüner Veltliner, Meeresboden
Cheers, - L
