Tag Archives: grüner veltliner

Forstreiter ‘Grooner’ Grüner Veltliner 2013

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grooner

Fun and friendly, this is a summery, versatile Grüner.

The ‘Grooner’ brand is the brainchild of Monika Caha & Toni Silver of Monika Caha Selections, along with winemaker Meinhard Forstreiter of Weingut Forstreiter. Created in 2006, the objective of Grooner was “to target price-conscious retail consumers looking for a fun “new” drinking experience” specifically in the US. Along with a fun, hipster vibe label, the phonetic spelling of ‘Grooner’ gives everyone a helping hand when it comes to pronouncing the Austrian varietal.

Winemaking: Grapes were sourced from the Forstreiter’s family 69 acre vineyard located on the banks of the Danube in Krems-Hollenburg in the Kremstal, Niederösterreich, Austria.

Tasting Notes: Palest gold in colour with aromas of fresh lemon and wet slate. Lemon, honeysuckle and herbaceous traces were underscored by a bright acidity, whilst clean minerals along with hints of white pepper and coconut comprised the zippy finish.

100% Grüner Veltliner
Niederösterreich
Austria
Produced and Bottled by Weingut Meinhard Forstreiter
12% Alcohol
$9
Enjoy now

Wolfgang ‘Gru-Vee’ Grüner Veltliner 2011

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I met a friend for happy hour at a German Biergarten located about 30 minutes from my house, I adore the picnic table seating, soccer on all of the TVs, friendly bartenders, and their surprising [as it is a beer pub] petite but interesting selection of German and Austrian wines. As I have not been picking up many Grüner Veltliner bottles yet this summer, I selected Wolfgang ‘Gru-Vee’ Grüner Veltliner 2011 from their white wine list [which consisted of a Gewürtraminer, 2 Rieslings and the Grüner Veltliner].

I was not able to find any specific vineyard or winemaker details other than Wolfgang Vineyards is a family estate located in the Burgenland region in Eastern Austria along the Hungarian border, and the family has been growing grapes there for many years.  Over the past 15 years huge strides have been made in the quality of Burgenland wines in general. The majority of the vineyards are still family owned, vineyard methods have improved, such as utilizing organic and biodynamic methods, new wineries have been built, and the indigenous grapes have been reintroduced.

Pale straw in colour, aromas of candied ginger and red apple rose from the glass. Tangy apple and lemon flavours comprised the light body, whilst subtle grapefruit notes enlivened the dry, crisp finish. Although a bit too angular and tart for my personal preference, this is a simple, easy drinking glass good with a light dishes.

Grüner Veltliner [I could not verify varietal percentage]
Burgenland
Austria
Bottled by Wolfgang Vineyards
12% Alcohol
$10 [average price]
Enjoy now thru 2014

Setzer ‘Easy to Drink’ Grüner Veltliner 2011

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On her way over to our house to watch playoff hockey, my sister stopped in at one of both her and my favourite wine shops where they happened to be having a small tasting of a few Greek and Austrian white wines. She sent a picture of the bottles they were tasting, and I asked her to pick up the Setzer ‘Easy to Drink’ Grüner Veltliner 2011, since it is one of my most loved white grapes and this particular bottle is a Terry Thiese Selection, whom I think is brilliant.

 

The Setzer Winery was founded in 1705 and is one of the oldest continuously run estates in the Weinviertal region of northeastern lower Austria. Today the husband and wife team of Hans and Uli Setzer run the 15 hectare family estate. Their grapes are grown without the use of any chemicals or synthetics, and they practice sustainable, integrated and dry farming methods. The wines are fermented in stainless steel with ambient, natural yeast. The back label beckons with the statement “Easy to drink means: More Wine & Less Alcohol”.

 

Pale gold in colour, aromas of peach, apricot and chalky minerals rose from the glass. Pear and honey flavours were accompanied by bright acidity and hints of creamy red lentil in the light body. Smooth stone minerals and traces of white peppercorn comprised the crisp finish. Polished and easy drinking [furthered by its very modest alcohol content], this is a mellow and refreshing glass fantastic with light, summery dishes.

 

Weinviertel
Austria
Estate Bottled
11.5% Alcohol
$18
Enjoy now thru 2015

Domaine Wachau Gustav Grüner Veltliner 2011

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After a harrowing experience of being stranded at the vet’s office with a sick cat and a jeep with an exploded water pump, my husband, sister and myself decided to enjoy a leisurely brunch where my sister and I indulged in elderflower liqueur and Prosecco cocktails. Upon returning home I decided to transition to a white wine to continue on with the light, fresh motif, giving a pour to Domaine Wachau Gustav Grüner Veltliner 2011. Domaine Wachau is located along the banks of the Danube in the heart of the Wachau region of Austria. The cooperative works closely with winemaker Heinz Frischengruber and is responsible for nearly 440 hectares of vineyards, 55% belonging to the Grüner Veltliner grape. The low-yielding vineyards are on steep terraces supported by low stonewalls and are now a World Cultural Heritage site.
 
Pale straw-gold in colour, aromas of green apple and salty minerals rose from the glass.  Tangy apple and lemon flavours infused the light to medium body, whilst zippy citrus, briny minerals and hints of sweet honey comprised the crisp finish. Although a bit too sharp and tight for my personal preference, this is a simple, easy drinking glass good with a light meal.
 
100% Grüner Veltliner
Wachau
Austria
[Producer details not listed]
13% Alcohol
$15
Enjoy now thru 2015

Stift Gœttweig Messwein Grüner Veltliner 2010

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It was a hot and steamy evening, even after the sun had set. To accompany our mostly grilled dinner of various vegetables with an avocado salsa, faux chicken patties and corn on the cob I gave a pour to Stift Gœttweig Messwein Grüner Veltliner 2010. Located on the eastern edge of the well-known Danube valley, the monastery of Stift Gœttweig was founded in 1083; the Benedictine order has been producing wine since the Middle Ages. Today the vineyards encompass 64 acres of mostly Grüner Veltliner with Riesling, Pinot Noir and also some Chardonnay vines. The wines are still made to exacting traditional methods, with a focus on elegance, balance and harmony. Messwein, or Altar wine, is made under the aegis of the bishop and must be produced using only natural methods. This is reflected in the “nature-friendly” cultivation of the vineyards, the use of only wild yeasts, and ageing in stainless steel tanks.
Pale golden straw, aromas of lemon and stone minerals rose from the glass. Fresh lime and juicy nectarine flavours abounded in the light body. Zesty pink grapefruit, spicy white pepper and sea salt minerals flourished in the lengthy finish. Crisp and easy drinking, this is a wonderful glass for the summer or with light dishes.

100% Grüner Veltliner
Kremstal
Austria
Estate Bottled
12% Alcohol
$17
Enjoy now thru 2015