2009 LAURENZ V. “und Sophie” Singing Grüner Veltliner Austria

Lately I had the pleasure of sampling a bottle of the 2009 LAURENZ V. “und Sophie” Singing Grüner Veltliner Austria.  This Grüner is made by a longtime Austrian winemaking family Lenz Moser currently headed up by Dr. Laurenz (Lenz) Moser III.  For quick information about these multi-generational Austrian winemakers, please read their amusing online cheat sheet.

This white wine, which retails for approximately $15, is made from 100% Grüner Veltliner grapes.  Grüner Veltliner is Austria’s best-known and most popular indigenous winemaking grape. This particular wine is made from fruit in the Niederösterreich appellation, specifically within Kremstal and Weinviertel sub-appellations.  According to the above-mentioned cheat sheet, the grape is related to (Gewurz)Traminer but native only to Austria.

I found much to love about this wine. The wine has a simple westernized looking label and arrives under screw cap. The “Laurenz V.” part of the naming refers to the fifth generation (“V”) of Mosers to be making wine. The “und Sophie” part of the name is in honor of Dr. Moser’s daughter Sophie, born in 1991.

I shared this wine chilled with 2 friends over a seafood dinner and it took very, very little time to polish off.  Grüner offers not a heck of a lot on the nose, especially chilled, but on the palate this is simply delicious and oh-so-refreshing on these hot summer days.  There is a lively tongue-tickling acidity, almost to the point of frizzante, which adds to the citrus-y and floral light-bodied refreshment of this particular beverage. At 12% ABV, it is well-balanced and offers just a touch of biting pepperiness for added interest.

In closing, I thoroughly enjoyed and highly recommend this fine effort with practically any cuisine (except perhaps goulash, if their web site is to be believed).

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