Looking for a Grüner Veltliner Pairing This Winter?

One of the white wines rapidly gaining popularity in North America is Grüner Veltliner. The wine is made from a grape variety that is most commonly grown in Austria, providing a unique, fresh white wine that is bursting with acidity. In fact, in Austria, Grüner Veltliner is the most famous wine. Unlike many other wines, Grüner Veltliner offers a broad range of flavors, dominated by citrus fruits (lime, lemon, grapefruit) and with hints of green/white pepper. Finding the best Grüner Veltliner pairing can result in a wonderful variety of dishes.

The Austrian white wine has a classic light green profile with hints of vegetables that include celery and bell peppers. Also common in Grüner Veltliner wines is the aroma of green apples. In general, Grüner Veltliner is often described as an exotic version of Sauvignon Blanc–a little spicier and more acidic. The citrus flavors and high acidity also draw comparisons to Riesling.

Over the last few decades, the grape has also been grown in America, Northern Italy, Hungary, New Zealand, and Australia. Because of the increased demand for this wine, more US wineries are now trying to grow their own grapes locally.

GRÜNER VELTLINER VS. SAUVIGNON BLANC

Again, wine experts usually compare Grüner Veltliner to Sauvignon Blanc, as they do share many characteristics. Both grapes lead to fresh dry white wines, and both have high acidity with a distinct herbal profile. Wine drinkers who like Sauvignon Blanc will almost certainly enjoy Grüner Veltliner.

The one key area where the two wines differ is the aroma. Grüner Veltliner has the classic pepper aroma that provides its spicy notes.

WHAT FOODS DOES GRÜNER VELTLINER PAIR WITH?

One of the reasons why Grüner Veltliner has gained popularity is because of its versatility when it comes to food pairing. In fact, this wine compares favorably with Riesling in terms of the number of excellent pairings. However, even though the Grüner Veltliner pairing options offer acceptability to a wide range of foods, you need to consider the following when pairing this Austrian white wine.

• The high acidity in the wine pairs well with acidic sauces and condiments that contain lime, lemon, and tamarind.
• The high acidity also goes well with deep-fried foods and/or fatty dishes; the acidity will cut through the fat, making the meat soft and palatable.
• The spicy profile of white pepper helps it pair nicely with many spicy foods, like Mexican foods and Asian cuisine - especially Indian and Thai curries.

GRÜNER VELTLINER PAIRING WITH FOODS

In general, Grüner Veltliner, because of its light profile, pairs very well with equally light and fresh foods, such as shellfish, oysters, fish, poultry, and shrimp. Because of its spicy aroma, a Grüner Veltliner pairing is perhaps the best choice for Asian and Thai curries. Food cooked in garlic, onions, and lemongrass pairs well with Austrian white wine. Other food pairings include spring rolls, spicy noodles, moderately spiced Indian curries, and samosas. Finally, Grüner Veltliner makes a great pairing with white meat and chicken, especially if the poultry is seasoned with lemon and herbs.

In addition, because of its herbal aroma, it pairs with green veggies cooked with herbs, such as parsley, basil, thyme, oregano, and rosemary. Another great pairing is a soft cheese with salty crackers.

HOW SHOULD GRÜNER VELTLINER BE SERVED?

To thoroughly enjoy the wine, Grüner Veltliner should be served very cold. Experts recommend keeping it in the refrigerator for at least two hours and removing it before serving. The ideal serving temperatures are between 7-10 degrees. Have an ice bucket handy, as it will keep the open bottle cool and retain the freshness for a few more hours.  Try the 2018 Spring Creek Vineyard Grüner Veltliner for your Austrian white wine experiences.