WineGuessrWhite grape variety
Grüner Veltliner
Also called Grüner, Weißgipfler
Grüner Veltliner is Austria's signature white grape, known for crisp, peppery wines with citrus and green notes. It is Austria's most planted variety, with 17,034 hectares in 2012, over half in the Weinviertel. DNA shows it is a cross of Traminer (Savagnin) and St. Georgener-Rebe.
| Color | White (green-skinned) |
|---|---|
| Origin | Austria (a cross of Traminer, also called Savagnin, and St. Georgener-Rebe) |
| Body | Light to full |
| Acidity | Medium to high |
| Typical aromas | white pepper, lime, green apple, grapefruit, celery, lentil, white flowers |
| Key regions | Weinviertel (Austria), Wachau (Austria), Kamptal (Austria), Kremstal (Austria), Vienna (Austria), Burgenland (Austria) |
Origin and history
Grüner Veltliner comes from Austria. DNA analysis confirmed that it is a natural cross of Traminer (Savagnin) and an obscure Austrian vine, St. Georgener-Rebe, found in Sankt Georgen am Leithagebirge near Eisenstadt. The grape was earlier known as Weißgipfler; the current name first appears in documents in 1855 and became standard by the 1930s. After the Second World War it expanded strongly, helped by Lenz Moser's high-trained Hochkultur system. In 2008 it covered 17,151 hectares, 32.6% of Austria's vineyards, and in 2012 17,034 hectares, still the country's most planted grape.
Where it grows
The Weinviertel in Lower Austria holds over half of all plantings, 8,529 hectares in 2012. Along the Danube, the Wachau, Kremstal and Kamptal make the most concentrated, age-worthy versions from terraced sites such as Loibenberg and Achleiten in the Wachau and Zöbinger Heiligenstein in the Kamptal. Vienna includes it in Wiener Gemischter Satz, and the Leithaberg and Traisental are other sources. Outside Austria it is spreading in Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the United States.
Taste, wine styles and food
Grüner Veltliner is best known for a peppery note, often described as white pepper, alongside lime, green apple, celery and lentil. Jancis Robinson has noted that the pepper is less obvious in many modern examples. Styles range from light, crisp everyday wines to dense, full-bodied single-vineyard wines from the Danube terraces. Sweet botrytised versions are made around Lake Neusiedl. Its fresh acidity and green, savoury character make it a flexible food white wine, classic with Wiener schnitzel, asparagus, artichokes and Asian dishes.
Wines made with Grüner Veltliner (6)
WineGuessr lists 6 wines made with Grüner Veltliner, all from Austria.
- AchleitenWachau DAC · Weißenkirchen in der Wachau, Wachau · White
- KremstalDAC · Krems an der Donau, Kremstal · White
- LoibenbergWachau DAC · Dürnstein (Unterloiben), Wachau · White
- WeinviertelDAC · Poysdorf, Weinviertel · White
- Wiener Gemischter SatzDAC · Vienna (Nussberg), Vienna · White
- Zöbinger HeiligensteinKamptal DAC · Zöbing (Langenlois), Kamptal · White
Grüner Veltliner: questions and answers
Why does Grüner Veltliner taste peppery?
Grüner Veltliner often shows a white pepper note alongside citrus and celery, though Jancis Robinson notes it is less obvious in many modern examples.
Where is Grüner Veltliner from?
Grüner Veltliner is from Austria, where it is the most planted grape. DNA shows it is a cross of Traminer and St. Georgener-Rebe.
Is Grüner Veltliner dry?
Almost always. Nearly all Grüner Veltliner is made dry, though rare sweet botrytised versions exist.
How much Grüner Veltliner is grown in Austria?
Grüner Veltliner is Austria's most planted grape, with 17,034 hectares in 2012. Over half of it, 8,529 hectares, was in the Weinviertel.
Other white grapes
All grape varieties →Sources: en.wikipedia.org
Last reviewed October 2026.