Try a Grüner Veltliner wine if you like Sauvignon Blanc or Chenin Blanc
Overview of the Grüner Veltliner Varietal
A food-friendly, dry white wine with a fresh burst of acidity and notes of grapefruit, peach and white pepper.
Why we like the Grüner Veltliner varietal, grape and wine

It’s a white wine with enough flavour intensity and richness to stand up to very flavourful dishes.
It’s a super refreshing wine with a burst of acidity on the palate, that makes your mouth water like crazy. Think: eating sour candies without the sour flavour.

 

Grüner Veltliner Pronounciation:
GREW-ner VELT-leen-er

 
Flavours and aromas of Grüner Veltliner wines

Fruit / Floral: citrus, stone fruit, honeysuckle
Other: white pepper, mineral, ginger
Oak (if applicable): nutty, beeswax

 
Varietal Pairings – Food pairings for Grüner Veltliner

Asparagus
Pork
White meats
Austrian / German sausage
Scallops
Bold, fatty cheeses
Artichokes
Veal
Sushi with Wasabi

 
Where are Grüner Veltliner grapes grown?
Old World Grüner Veltliner Regions

Austria
Czech Republic and Slovakia
Hungary

New World Grüner Veltliner Regions

USA (esp. Oregon and New York)
Canada (Okanagan Valley)

 
Interesting facts about Grüner Veltliner wine

Most of the wine from Austria is white wine and about 1/3 of Austria’s vineyards are planted to Grüner Veltliner.
Very little Grüner Veltliner is grown outside of Austria

 
Other names for the Grüner Veltliner varietal include

Veltlinské Zelené (seen only on Grüner Veltliner wine labels from the Czech Republic)

Our favourite finds for Grüner Veltliner wine

Schloss Gobelsburg 2016 Grüner Veltliner, Kamptal, Austria (#75 on Wine Spectator’s Top 100 Wines of 2018)
Chehalem Wines Grüner Veltliner, Oregon, USA
Culmina Family Estate Winery Unicus, Okanagan Valley, Canada

 
Dig Deeper: Learn More About Old World vs New World Wines
 
If you like Grüner Veltliner, Try A Similar Grape Variety: (Dry) Riesling or Vermentino.
 
Time To Learn About Other White Grape Varieties:

Torrontés
Gewurztraminer
Sauvignon Blanc


Try a Chenin Blanc wine if you like Pinot Gris (Grigio) 
 
Overview of the Chenin Blanc wine varietal
A light-bodied aromatic white wine with high acidity.
 
Why we like the Chenin Blanc varietal, grape and wine
Chenin Blanc can be just about anything! It makes great sparkling wine, it can be a light and zesty patio sipper or a decadent dessert wine.
 

Chenin Blanc Pronounciation:
SHEN-in BLONK

 
Flavours and aromas of Chenin Blanc wines

Fruit: peach, pear, citrus, honeycomb
Herbal/Vegetal: chamomile tea, orange blossom
Other: honeycomb, ginger

 
Varietal Pairings – Food pairings for Chenin Blanc

Goat Cheese
Fish & Chips
Roasted Pork
Shellfish
Spicy foods (with an off-dry Chenin Blanc)

 
Where are Chenin Blanc grapes grown?
 
Old World Chenin Blanc Regions

Loire Valley, France
Limoux, France

 
New World Chenin Blanc Regions

South Africa
USA
Argentina
Australia
Canada
China

 
Interesting facts about Chenin Blanc wine

Chenin Blanc’s Family Tree:

Chenin’s half-sibling is Sauvignon Blanc.
One of Chenin’s parents is Savagnin.
Chenin is related to Cabernet Sauvignon — Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Franc are Cabernet Sauvignon’s parents, making Chenin an aunt/uncle.)


Most of the Chenin Blanc grapes in South Africa turned into brandy!
Chenin Blanc is quite versatile. The styles can be dry, off-dry, sweet or sparkling. In rare cases Chenin Blanc is aged in oak and can be similar to oaked Chardonnay.

 
Other names for the Chenin Blanc varietal include
Steen, Pineau. Regional Names for Chenin Blanc: Vouvray, Savennières, Crémant de Loire
 
Our favourite finds for Chenin Blanc wine
L’Ecole No. 41 Chenin Blanc (Columbia Valley, USA)
Famille Bougrier “V” Vouvray  (Loire Valley, FR)
Cape of Good Hope Chenin Blanc (South Africa)
 
Dig Deeper: Learn More About Old World vs New World Wines
 
Like Chenin Blanc? Try A Similar Grape Variety: Pinot Gris (Grigio) or an Unoaked Chardonnay like Chablis.
 
Learn About Other White Grape Varieties:

Torrontés
Gewurztraminer
Sauvignon Blanc

 

Hammond, Louisiana, United States
