When it comes to a good Gruner Veltliner, there are some things we are always on the lookout for. Strong minerality, waxy phenolics, and stone fruit moving into tropical flavors are a hallmark.
When a Gruner is lacking in these, we often find ourselves disappointed. But when it shines, oh what a wine it is.
Domaine Wachau's Weissenkirchen Gruner Veltliner Smaragd was undoubtedly in the latter category, and this wine was simply a delight that we would drink again and again.
We love a good Gruner Veltliner, especially when strong terroir-driven minerality becomes the star of the show. Not only are the flavors often incredible when the minerality is present, it also makes for a perfect pairing with Austrian cuisine all around.
Lauren V. Charming Gruner Veltliner from Kamptal may have been the best we've had to date, and so far has been one of our absolute favorite wines received from our Picked by Wine.com subscription.
If the intensity of a Gruner Veltliner is what you seek, this is the bottle to try. That is, if we don't beat you to buying it, first.
It is hard not to love a good Gruner Veltliner, and we were fortunate enough to pick up several bottles from Domane Wachau while at Duty Free in Vienna's airport in 2020.
The Kinrberg bottle was an interesting one from the bunch as it had an intense minerality about it that the other bottles simply did not have. This one may be a bit too mineral-forward for some, but if you like this aspect in your white you may really enjoy this bottle!
When we visited the Finger Lakes for a weekend getaway in late 2020, one winery, Bloomer Creek, was not open for tastings (only bottle sales). We placed an order at this one all the same at the request of a friend who wanted some bottles and decided to pick up a few for us to try at home thanks to their great reviews and that one of our favorite local wine shops carries them as well.
It very much was a case of “if it is good for them, it is good for us”.
The first bottle we opened was their naturally fermented, skin contact, unfiltered Chardonnay and Gruner Veltliner blend- a more unusual grape combination than we're used to but one that we have to admit, we really enjoyed.
