Grüner Veltliner

Grüner Veltliner is a white wine grape variety grown primarily in Austria. They are light, crisp and zesty, prized for their high acidity and signature bright flavours of citrus, green apple and white pepper. Although Grüner Veltliner wines are mostly dry, some sweeter styles are also made.

One of the standout qualities of Grüner Veltliner is its impressive ageing potential, placing it alongside white wines such as Chardonnay and Riesling.

With its high acidity and unique flavours, Grüner Veltliner is a food-friendly wine. It pairs well with everything from light salads and seafood to rich, creamy sauces and even spicy dishes.

Grüner Veltliner is Austria’s most widely planted grape variety and plays a significant role in the country’s winemaking. Austrian winemakers are responsible for making the vast majority – around three-quarters – of the world’s Grüner Veltliner wines.

It's particularly prominent in the Wachau, Kamptal and Kremstal wine regions of Lower Austria, where it produces highly regarded, complex wines.

This grape can be found outside of Austria in regions such as Canada, Italy, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, parts of North America and South Australia. It prefers hillsides with mineral-rich soils – ranging from silt and sand to clay and rock – that are essential for its growth when combined with warm, sunny climates. The cool evening breezes in these regions ensure the grapes don’t over-ripen, preserving their racy acidity.

Grüner Veltliner wines have a very similar style to some Rieslings – dry, full of citrus and spice, with an acidity that makes your tongue tingle. Great “foodie” wines, Grüner Veltliner also makes for an adventurous alternative to Sauvignon Blanc.

They are deliciously easy-drinking when freshly bottled but also stand apart as a white wine with the ability to age and mature in the bottle.

Enjoyable as a single varietal, it can be combined with other grape varieties to produce refreshing white wine blends. On its own, Grüner Veltliner is often described as delightfully zingy thanks to its high acidity.

Despite being a dry white wine, Grüner Veltliner does have a hint of sweetness, but its signature high acidity can mask it. Depending on your chosen style, Grüner Veltliner wine can range from light to full-bodied, with very low tannins and medium alcohol content.

Typical flavours found in all styles of Grüner Veltliner include lemon, lime and white pepper. Freshly bottled Grüner Veltliners (within one to two years of the vintage on the label), have a vibrant and zesty character. In these younger wines, you can generally find flavours such as:

• Lime zest
• Lemon
• Green apple
• Grapefruit
• Green bean
• Celery
• White pepper

As the wine matures, it changes subtly. Flavours become creamier and richer – and the wine’s colour changes from pale green to a luxe, green-tinted gold. Crucially, Grüner Veltliner’s acidity (a factor crucial for ageing), allows it to develop without losing its vibrancy.

When aged between three to six years, you can expect flavours of:

• White peach
• Nectarine
• Honey
  
• Ginger
• Brazil nuts

When selecting a bottle of Grüner Veltliner, the wine’s age is worth considering.

A young Grüner Veltliner wine delivers a lively, refreshing taste with bright, tingling acidity. With a medium body and subtle minerality, these wines are perfect for hot summer days. Look for Grüner Veltliners from winemakers in the Czech Republic and Slovakia border regions and Austria’s Wachau and Weinviertel regions.

For a richer style of Grüner Veltliner, choose wines made in Lower Austria’s Pannonian Basin or South Australia’s Adelaide Hills. Winemakers here make smoother and fuller-bodied Grüner Veltliners. Three to six years ageing is also an excellent find to unlock more honeyed, ginger flavours.

The traditional pairing for Grüner Veltliner is wiener schnitzel with mashed potatoes, matching its Austrian roots. However, this wine's crisp acidity makes it a perfect partner for so much more – from roast chicken to Asian spices. It’s particularly good at partnering with vegetables such as asparagus and artichoke.

On the lighter side, consider pairing this wine with seafood such as oysters, noodle salads or fresh cheeses such as goat’s cheese and Mozzarella.

Discover more food and wine pairing tips. 

To get the best from Grüner Veltliner’s vibrant flavours, serve it chilled – ideally between 7–8ºC – in a white wine glass.