I’d imagine there's a pretty good chance that you’ve never tasted Austria’s native wine, Grüner Veltliner. No worries; most people haven’t.
It’s a varietal that even regular wine drinkers tend to be unfamiliar with. What a shame though. Because Grüner Veltliner is one of the most interesting, economical, food-friendly wines I can think of, not to mention incredibly versatile. It even weathers the storm of many wintry foods like hearty soups, smoked trout and roast chicken.
But perhaps we should just keep this between ourselves. I don’t want Grüner Veltliner to become trendy and expensive like some of its better-known cousins.
One of the most dependable, benchmark examples of Grüner is Hopler Grüner Veltliner ($13.69). Hopler Grüner Veltliner is a solid introduction to the varietal, with yummy ripe peach, apricot, and green apple flavors. It’s nicely balanced with mineral notes, a hint of almonds, and a long creamy finish. Give it a try!