Some things never get old and remind me why I do what I do. For example when we introduce a Grüner Veltliner to a seasoned wine drinker that they may not be familiar with. In this case Groiss Grüner Veltliner. They take a sip, then their eyes widen, their eyebrows go up, an astonished look, then a bright smile takes over their face; they look at their glass, then quickly look at the bottle and look at the person pouring the wine for more. This is the typical response to someone trying Grüner Veltliner for the first time and also why there is such a large group of Grüner lovers out there. So, if you're not on this bandwagon, it is time to jump on and party with the rest of us.

Grüner Veltliner wine is made from the grape variety of the same name. 75% of all Grüner Veltliner is produced in Austria, representing 32.5% of the total vineyard area planted in the country, or more than 36,000 acres, according to the trade organization Austrian Wine. It is also grown and produced in Hungary, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia. In addition, Grüner Veltliner from Northern Italy, California, Oregon, and New Zealand represent unique alternatives to Austrian Grüner. Most Grüner Veltliner, however, is produced in Austria, where the vast majority of Grüner Veltliner in the United States comes from. Grüner Veltliner translates to “Green Wine of Veltlin”. Veltlin was an area in the lower Alps during the 1600s.

Grüner Veltliner is an old grape that is thought to date back to the time of Ancient Rome, even though the first official mention didn't come until the 1800s. One of grüner's parent grapes is Savagnin, the ancient French variety also related to sauvignon blanc and gewürztraminer. The other parent is St. Georgener-rebe, a virtually extinct Austrian variety. Grüner is sometimes challenging to work with, and it took advances in scientific winemaking to produce good versions of the wine. Grüner Veltliner made its first big splash on the American wine market a decade or so ago when it began popping up on wine lists and retail shelves. And it is also easy and fun to say Grüner Veltliner.

I appreciate Grüner Veltliner because it is an ABC wine, Anything But Chardonnay. It falls into the aromatic wine category that many find appealing. Sauvignon Blanc drinkers tend to enjoy the bright citrus notes of Grüner Veltliner, as well as its occasional hints of herbaceousness. Pinot Grigio fans tend to appreciate Grüner Veltliner's bright character, energetic texture, and ability to pair with a wide range of foods. Dry Riesling lovers appreciate the floral aromas and mineral qualities. Another aspect most appreciate is how affordable this wine is. So, what's not to love about this grape variety.

Karin and Herbert Groiss are passionate about their work – for the greater good and the sheer joy of it. The Weingut Groiss winery Groiss is located in Lower Austria on the eastern border of the Wagram in the winegrowing area Wagram. Planted on sandy and partially very thick loess soil are the varieties typically for the region and their 14 hectares of vineyards are strictly cultivated organic. They work in close harmony with nature, adapting to its needs, embracing its strengths, and channeling these energies into their wine. They are now the third generation to run the winery and have long been organic winemakers at heart, officially certified since 2016. A small production operation with less than 20,000 total cases produced by the winery, and it is vegan-friendly. The wine comes in a 1-liter bottle, the traditional Austrian/German size bottle for an everyday affordable wine. 

Weingut Groiss motto:

From Vine To Wine – With Passion & Expertise

The Grüner Veltliner 2023 presents itself in the glass in a light golden yellow color with a fresh, youthful nose and the aroma of green apple and lemon. It develops some spice on the palate, particularly in the form of the white pepper characteristics of Veltliner. Elegant, medium finish. Weingut Groiss – a contemporary winery located in a small village in Lower Austria, has been producing Grüner for generations. The loess soil, the southwest-facing slopes, and the perfect microclimate are responsible for the distinctive character of their wines.

Groiss Grüner Veltliner 2023

Groiss Grüner Veltliner was brought to us by a small local importer, one of two that import this wine into the country, only found in MA and CT. We were excited to try this Grüner because, as I said above, this type of wine brings a smile to our faces. When we tasted the wine, the results went past a smile to a gleeful mirth. So much so that we had to taste it a second time a couple days later to make sure this wine was for real. You know it is a good wine when our wine geeks were getting their calculators out to determine how much of this wine they could buy. The wine is poured with a light golden color. Bartlet pear aromas along with honeysuckle. Flavors continued in the mouth with white peach, pink lady apple, and lemon chiffon. Good weight on the palate with balanced acid to keep the fruit dancing. A long lemon curd finish. At $9 a bottle, it is a great value. Because it is a liter bottle, that compares to a $6.75 bottle of wine, which makes this one of the best values we have in wine that you will love. 

Regular Price: $12.99

*Sale Price is on 12 or more bottle purchase

 Wine is packed in a 12, 1-Liter bottle case

$9 1-liter bottle compares to $6.75 750ml

*Wine pricing for these wine promotions are held for two weeks after the email offer.

We can hold wines in unpaid reserves for two weeks to allow you time to pick up your wine. If it takes you longer than that to pick up your wines, give us a call, and we can process your wine and move it to paid reserves.

A quick word on 1-liter wine bottles.

We take it for granted that the wine industry is based on 750ml bottles. Modern production is based on 9-liter cases or a twelve 750ml bottle case. The standard size bottle, 750ml, became the norm because the average glass blower could comfortably exhale between 700 and 800 ml of air for mass bottle production used for bottle-aging, so the bottle molds were based on 750ml. But before mass production, there were other-sized bottles used, primarily as transport vessels from the winery to one's home. Common was the Demijohn, a 5-liter bottle or imperial gallon, filled up at the local winery and sold at local markets or directly to consumers from the winery and then returned, refilled to start the cycle again. Because 5-liter bottles could sometimes become unwieldy, the refillable 1-liter bottle became popular to pick up at the local market or winery and take home for dinner, a picnic, or enjoy with a friend. It was a social bottle meant to be shared and have fun. Today, 1-liter bottles from Austria and Germany continue in that tradition and are a sign that the wine is for immediate consumption and to enjoy with friends or loved ones. It is not a stuffy, fine wine but a lively, fun wine. Here's to having fun.

Place your order now with the store contacts above, while you've got all the information at your fingertips.

Cheers!

John Hannum,

Fine & Rare Wine Specialist

Attleboro

628 Washington St.

Norwood

942 Providence Hgwy.

Sturbridge

376 Main Street.

Swansea

207 Swansea Mall Dr.

Monday-Saturday

9AM to 9PM