Pronounced "groo-nuhr-felt-lee-nuhr" or simply "groo-vay."

Grüner Veltliner has been grown in Austria since before the Romans conquered the land. It is Austria's indigenous grape variety. Today, at least 2000 years after its first plantings, Grü-Ve is still Austria's most widely planted grape.

The reason for the adoration of this wine is that, like Chardonnay, it is a full-bodied, fruit-driven wine with a big creamy texture and at a much more reasonable price. Additionally, Gru-Ve is never heavily oaked and, as a member of the Traminer cépage, has an enticing spiciness that makes it perhaps the most versatile food wine in the world. It even pairs well with the likes of artichokes and asparagus -- foods that generally destroy lesser wines. Sommeliers have adopted this new wine as the first recommendation to customers who are looking for the alternative to Chardonnay. Chefs embrace it because it enhances such a broad range of their dishes. Consumers are thrilled with the discovery!

Cellar Craft's Grüner-Veltliner from the Huber Estate in the Traisental region will serve as an excellent introduction to this ancient varietal. The wine has a green-yellow hue. Complex aromatics are reminiscent of apple, pear, grapefruit, honeydew, honeysuckle, banana, and peach. The flavors echo the melon, apple, citrus and peach aromas. Medium-bodied with just a hint of sweetness to balance the natural acidity. The finish lingers pleasantly. Spicy Asian cuisine would be a good pairing to discover the wines ability to enhance diverse dishes. Best enjoyed after a couple months of bottle aging and within a year. Don't over-chill.