Summer is the perfect time for white wine. When the hot weather begs for
something cool the the French swirl Chablis, the Italians sip Pinot Grigio
and the Austrians pour *Gruner Veltliner* (Groo-ner Velt-Leen-er)
*Gruner Veltliner* is a variety of white wine grape grown primarily in
Austria, Slovakia and th Czech Republic. Gruner Veltliner is known to put
forth an inviting range of aromas from fresh, green apple to juicy tropical
fruit and from white pepper to mineral-laden nuances on the nose.
Grüner-Veltliner is typically a medium-bodied wine that can cover the
spectrum of dry to off-dry in style. This wine enjoys higher acidity levels
and thus has a reputation as being a particularly food-friendly wine. In
fact the Austrians pair this wine with many foods. From Wiener Schnitzel to
the tougher veggies of artichoke, asparagus and broccoli to full-blown
Asian fare – with sushi and Thai being pairing specialities, this white
wine grape can go the distance, thanks in large part to the acidity
associated with Grüner-Veltliner.
This week we added the *Hugl* Gruner Veltliner to our collection at the
Market Basket.
This is a young family-run winery located in the north-east of Austria, in
Ketzelsdorf-Poysdorf. The owners Sylvia and Martin Hugl strive to produce
fruity, full-bodied wines that are typical of the region and the soils.
They make use of the experience of their parents and combine it with
their knowledge and modern techniques to create high-quality wines. To keep
quality high they limit quantity by cutting back, thinning, and green
harvesting. A careful handling of the grapes during harvesting is as
necessary, along with a cool fermentation in the cellar.
Gruner Veltliner represents about 70% of the winery’s vineyards. This is an
intense and concentrated wine offering pleasant citrus and grapefruit
aromas, exotic tropical fruits with a hint of freshly ground white pepper.
Full-bodied dry wine with a firm mineral backbone, giving it the strength
of character to work well with many cuisines.
