Groovy Wine

Anyone familiar with this wine? Officially known as Gruner Veltliner, I believe. I heard about it on Splendid Table (where has that show been all my life? I must not listen at the right times). Anyway, I am a greenie on wines, but like Chardonays (love reds, but they sometimes don't love me). It sounded like although it has very little in common w/Chard in theory, that if you like Chardonays, you'd like this wine. I'll probably just try some this weekend, but wondered if anyone had any impressions. TIA!

[Robin Garr]

Kim, I've written a fair amount about Grüner Veltliner in my wine columns. If you like, I'll try to dig up some links for you. It's Austrian, mostly grown along the Danube, and makes a dry, crisp and "minerally" white wine that's very different from Chardonnay. Lighter-bodied, more dry, more acidic. Goes great with fish!

It's available around Louisville, at least in small selection, at the better wine shops, and it's generally not terribly expensive unless you run into a single-vineyard treasure from a top producer. Most of them should be around $10 to $20.

Anyone familiar with this wine? Officially known as Gruner Veltliner, I believe. I heard about it on Splendid Table (where has that show been all my life? I must not listen at the right times). Anyway, I am a greenie on wines, but like Chardonays (love reds, but they sometimes don't love me). It sounded like although it has very little in common w/Chard in theory, that if you like Chardonays, you'd like this wine. I'll probably just try some this weekend, but wondered if anyone had any impressions. TIA!

We carry a Gruner Veltliner from Huber (Austria, not Starlight Indiana) that is very nice. Light and refreshing, and only $10.99.

Kim, I've written a fair amount about Grüner Veltliner in my wine columns. If you like, I'll try to dig up some links for you. It's Austrian, mostly grown along the Danube, and makes a dry, crisp and "minerally" white wine that's very different from Chardonnay. Lighter-bodied, more dry, more acidic. Goes great with fish!

It's available around Louisville, at least in small selection, at the better wine shops, and it's generally not terribly expensive unless you run into a single-vineyard treasure from a top producer. Most of them should be around $10 to $20.

Thanks for the input, Robin. I knew you would be able to provide some insight. I don't know much about wine at all, and would like to learn more. I once dated someone who was on their way to become a somelier, and tried to teach me a few things about wines. But I was more sensitive to sulphites then, so I wasn't a very good student. I don't seem to be as allergic to them these days, and would like to study more, but it's a bit overwhelming. Do you have a beginners suggestion?

Anyway, this wine intrigues me, and I want to try it. Thanks for your feedback!

We carry a Gruner Veltliner from Huber (Austria, not Starlight Indiana) that is very nice. Light and refreshing, and only $10.99.

Thanks, Todd! I've been wanting to check out your store anyway! But now you have to give us restaurant suggestions so we can come over to your store AND eat! (we went to Iguana's 2 weeks ago, which we loved - other suggestions?)

ive had the gruner veltliner by hugo
bone-dry, very bright/crisp, good fruit, very nice with food

ive had the gruner veltliner by hugo
bone-dry, very bright/crisp, good fruit, very nice with food

Awesome - thanks for sharing your impressions! It sounds like it might be more like a Pinot than a Chard? Regardless, it sounds lovely, and like a great wine for this time of year. I'm anxious to try it! (and then maybe I, too, can be groovy )

In all truth I got a little confused with the whole "groovy" thing... because I've never thought of it spelled like that. Phonetically, I guess it makes complete sense: But I think wine geeks would refer to it as "Grü-V".


Anyhow.

We carry two Grüner Veltliner at Theater Square Wine and Spirits.

2006 Laurenz (and Sophia) "Singing" Grüner Veltliner - $16.99
2008 Bio-Weingut Hofer - $12.99


The Laurenz is fantastic and a pretty solid representation of the varietal, and one white I always suggest for people who like whites, but want something "different".

The Hofer we literally just got in and I have yet to taste it.



If you are looking for interesting whites, you might want to try a Torrontes - Robin, care to chime in on this one?

[Robin Garr]

If you are looking for interesting whites, you might want to try a Torrontes - Robin, care to chime in on this one?

Argentine, mostly. Some say the variety originated in Galicia in Spain (also home of Albariño), but most grape experts say the Argentine variety is different. (Note, by the way, that "varietal" is properly used only as an adjective as in "varietal grape" or "varietal wine." The noun forum is "variety." But I digress.

Torrontes is probably the most interesting white coming out of Argentina - crisp and acidic and musky, but watch out, some of the cheaper models come from overcropped vines and don't show much varietal character. Personally, given the choice between a good G.V. and a good Torrontes, I'd almost always go with the Austrian wine for its minerality. Same reason I love Loire whites.

If any of you are interested in some of the more high end wines from Austria, you can get all the super-intense minerality, acidity and staying power that G.V. has to offer in some of the vineyard specific Gruners from F.X. Pichler...not cheap by any stretch of the imagination to be sure, but unbelievable stuff.

In all truth I got a little confused with the whole "groovy" thing... because I've never thought of it spelled like that. Phonetically, I guess it makes complete sense: But I think wine geeks would refer to it as "Grü-V".


Anyhow.

We carry two Grüner Veltliner at Theater Square Wine and Spirits.

2006 Laurenz (and Sophia) "Singing" Grüner Veltliner - $16.99
2008 Bio-Weingut Hofer - $12.99


The Laurenz is fantastic and a pretty solid representation of the varietal, and one white I always suggest for people who like whites, but want something "different".

The Hofer we literally just got in and I have yet to taste it.



If you are looking for interesting whites, you might want to try a Torrontes - Robin, care to chime in on this one?

LOL@me! I just heard it on the radio, so I heard 'groovy'. Like I said, I'm pretty ignorant when it comes to wine, and beer, for that matter. I'd like to learn more, but not sure where to begin except to start experimenting. (although we did watch this cool show about the history of brewing beer on the History channel the other day. waiting for it to come back on so we can record it, and I can take notes)

Thanks for the suggestions, Ethan, and for your informative follow-up, Robin!

Same reason I love Loire whites.

mmmm... Loire Valley whites.
You've got me wishing I wasn't working today and could sit on the porch and enjoy a nice Sancerre.

LOL@me! I just heard it on the radio, so I heard 'groovy'. Like I said, I'm pretty ignorant when it comes to wine, and beer, for that matter. I'd like to learn more, but not sure where to begin except to start experimenting. (although we did watch this cool show about the history of brewing beer on the History channel the other day. waiting for it to come back on so we can record it, and I can take notes)

Thanks for the suggestions, Ethan, and for your informative follow-up, Robin!

I used to hate beer, now I'm a beer-nerd.

I found it much easier on the pocket to justify my explorations into quality beer than wine.
Mixed six-packs, single bottles, etc... In my first year of actually "enjoying" beer, I probably tasted/drank over 300 different individual beers. I didn't have a problem dropping $20 a bottle here and there, but the nice thing about "getting a beer education" is the bottle size/cost when compared to wine.

There are so many fantastic craft breweries out there now (both domestically and abroad) that it can be kind of daunting... but I found it less-so than the task of understanding wine and wine-culture (much less delving into the specifics and mysticism of viniculture, oenology and the craft of wine-making).

Haul yourself of to either of the New Albanian Brewing operations, or visit Todd at the Keg in Clarksville.
The sunny-side continues to hold a wealth of knowledge on beer, and either of the places I mentioned would be more than happy to "hold your hand" and guide you.

Love me some sancerre, but I'm currently super obsessed with Alsace and Austria. Had a bottle of the F.X. Pichler the other night among some other heavy hitters, including the '06 El Nido, which while obviously completely and utterly different, is going to be a star in it's own right, but the F.X. was definitely the star of the evening.

If you are looking for interesting whites, you might want to try a Torrontes - Robin, care to chime in on this one?

We did a food and wine pairing reception at our wedding, and paired a Torrontes with mini hot-browns. Love this wine with bacon & creamy cheesyness!