Wine of the Week: Austrian Pepper Grüner Veltliner

Sébastien Barillot

Austria is known for imports. Take, for example, ex-bodybuilder-now-governor-of-California Arnold Schwarzenegger, and now, trendy-up-and-comer (or perhaps used-to-be-trendy-but-now-standard) Grüner Veltliner. This white wine is Austria's much tastier answer to the Pinot Grigio.

Light on the palate and fancy-free, this Grüner Veltliner is the perfect wine for the tail end of summer. Whimsical and light, it reminds me of a sleeveless summer dress - barely there, comfortable and worn only in the hot months.

The wine begins with lots of tropical fruit flavors with a thin mouthfeel. It's almost as if it fades into nothing after a second on the tongue, melting away like shaved ice from a snow ball. There are no lasting flavors, but the acidity gives it a clean and refreshing finish. Whispers of green apple, pear, pineapple, starfruit, herbs and minerals throughout give it an interesting depth without being offensive. This is a great wine to try before you start baking anything with pumpkin or lots of spices.