2011 Floriana Grüner Veltliner
Just a short tasting note today.
I picked up this grüner veltliner a couple of weeks back at Trader Joe’s where it retailed for $5.99. Grüner Veltliner is a white grape that is mostly grown in Austria, kind of the dry sibling of riesling, and maybe even vinho verde (notice the word “green” in both wines). I cannot recall ever having had a grüner veltliner before, so I figured I should give it a try. This particular 2011 Floriana Grüner Veltliner was made in Hungary. Given Hungary’s and Austria’s common history (they once formed the Austro-Hungarian Empire), I gathered that Hungarians should be capable of making decent wines out of this grape. The wines are generally perceived as food friendly.
I made schnitzel last weekend. My friend Tracy and her husband had prepared an amazing and detailed instruction manual for me, because Nina loves schnitzel and I wanted to be able to recreate them here. In my case the schnitzel was a thin, crusted and then fried pork steak. I had read before that grüner veltliner can be a good companion to this traditional Austrian dish (the true classic is Schnitzel Vienna, but that is made with veal).
2011 Floriana Grüner Veltliner poured into the glass in a very light color. On the nose, there were prominent apple and citrus aromas. On the palate, it is dry, with apple and citrus persisting, but eventually herbal aromas coming in, which made it a really nice partner for the schnitzel, which is traditionally served with some lemon to squeeze over it and a salad as a side. The wine was light and refreshing. It did resemble the Trader Joe’s vinho verde in its freshness (but without the fizz). The herbal aromas did give it a different feel, though. Definitely worth trying if you are looking for a refreshing dry white.
the winegetter 
[…] Sauvignon Blanc or Dry Reislings, but are looking to branch out. New producers are popping up in Hungary and New Zealand, but Austrian “gru-vees” still tend to be the most consistent. (NOTE: […]
Hungary is full of great wines to be discovered :)
I’ve never tried any decent Pinot Noir from Germany… if not from Burgundy it must be from Hungary (the USA or Aleksandrović in Serbia) to be good :) to give just an example :))
See, and I have not yet had a Pinot Noir from California that I enjoyed…Oregon seems to be a different story. I am waiting for two bottles of German pinot noir that have received raving reviews all over the place in the next few months and will be excited to share! :)
I meant the USA generally. But once I had sth really nice from California too, it was some small unknown place and I don’t remember the name… will need to find it out.
I have a big problem with Pinot Noir as the flavor it usually gives is somehow sweetish and annoying. This is the problem for the majority of wines from this variety. Only Burgundy and several producers in other countries do sth exciting me. But I guess it’s much about my personal preferences.
So, let us know about the new ‘Germans’, maybe they are indeed great Pinots! :)
Yes, we will see. I will definitely write about them. I know what you mean about pinots that are not from Burgundy. A lot of them seem thick to me when they should be slender.
Definitely going to check and see if I can pick up a bottle! Reading about the schnitzel dinner just made me so completely hungry!
Hahaha, I know…good luck finding one!!
Well as long as people accept it these laws won’t change. Depends also on what politicians one elects and what their views are. I’d make a bet that teenese is “ruled” or governed by Republicans ;-)
That’s what you get from Republicans and their views.. I know that these laws are the remaining from the prohibition-era but that was so many decades ago that the laws could have easily been changed.
Don’t underestimate that a lot of Americans and the American public in general are more conservative than Europeans are. And if a political system wants to keep state-owned stores, it is hard to change that, especially in a two party system. If both parties are for it, even your choice on the ballot will not change things…it is a slow process, but more and more counties go “un-dry”, i.e. allow alcohol sales…so, we just have to be patient (and not move to states that have these laws…).
I’m so jealous you can get wine at Trader Joe’s! I live in Tennessee, where grocery stores can’t sell wine and liquor (travesty, I know). I am making a list of your suggestions and going to purchase on my next road trip to an out-of-state Trader Joe’s. Thanks for the tips!
That sucks! I will never understand that puritanical streak in the United States that thinks that limiting where alcohol is offered is going to do anything good!
I hope you have a trip coming up soon!!
That’s funny. Why would a state make a law that prevents grocery stores to sell wine or liquor.
Some of it stems from post-prohibition times, as far as I understand. Limiting access to alcohol was seen as important.
Other states go further and you can only buy alcohol in government run liquor places (Pennsylvania, and also Ontario in Canada, I believe). There, the incentive now is clear: It raises a bunch of revenue not just in taxes but in mark ups as well…
It is actually pretty sad.
I would kill to have the access that Tennessee has to wine! PA is right up there with Utah as the worst….
I remember walking through Philly on our way to Branzino, Nina’s favorite Italian restaurant in town. Now, while I was always forced to bring a minimum of 6 bottles of wine in exchange for favors, these were all German Riesling. We stopped at a liquor store and I was shocked by the Italian selection. We ended up buying a pretty bad standard Rufino chianti…ugh.