($12, Frederick Wildman and Sons, Ltd.): Austria’s primary white grape and wine, Grüner Veltliner has the potential to soar in popularity because it is an ideal choice with a wide range of foods. In the past, I’d advise those in doubt about what wine to serve with a particular food to choose Riesling or Champagne.… Read more

($16, Folio Fine Wine Partners):  With over a third of Austrian vineyards planted with it, Grüner Veltliner is Austria’s signature grape.  Laurenz’s version, dubbed Singing, has a lovely combination of delicate floral notes offset by subtle peppery ones.  An alluring restraint and austerity make it a welcome change from the over ripe and overdone white wines that seem to be commonplace today. … Read more

($44, Palm Bay International):  St. Laurent, a grape related to Pinot Noir according to DNA profiling, is gaining popularity in Austria.  After tasting this splendid example, it’s easy to see why.  It’s a harmonious marriage of sweet and savory notes, with even a trace of a bitter cherry finish. … Read more

($20, Palm Bay Imports):  One of the leaders in Weinviertel region, Pfaffl is a family owned estate just outside of Vienna that makes an array of lovely wines.  This one, from a single vineyard in the town of Stetten overlooking the Danube, reminds us that Grüner Veltliner, as difficult as it may be to pronounce, is a varietal worth remembering. … Read more

($15, Palm Bay International):  One of the leaders in Weinviertel, a subregion of the Niederösterreich, Pfaffl is a family owned estate just outside of Vienna that deserves their fine reputation.  This, what they refer to as their “entry level” wine is a stunning example of a bargain-priced Grüner Veltliner, Austria’s signature white grape. … Read more

($17, Select Wines):  For those unfamiliar with Gruner Veltliner, Austria’s most widely planted grape, this would be an excellent place to start because Bauer is a top-notch producer and the Rosenberg vineyard is a prime spot.  Faintly, but distinctly, aromatic, this Gruner Veltliner is dry with a firm texture combined with subtle citrus notes in the finish. … Read more

($50, Skurnik):  Heiligenstein, located in the village of Zöbinger, is one of Austria’s most acclaimed vineyards.  Bründlmayer is one Austria’s best producers.  Combine the two and throw in old vines (Alte Reben) and it’s no surprise about the extraordinary quality and distinctiveness of this wine. … Read more

($20, Domaine Select): What’s in the bottle is worth the time to unravel what’s on the bottle, so here goes:  Wachau is easy because it’s Austria’s best wine growing area, just west of Vienna on the Danube, and Burgberg’s one of the villages there. … Read more

($13): Anton Bauer, who took the reins of this family winery in 1992-at the ripe age of 20-is making wonderful white wines, including this one from his Gmork vineyard. Its lovely minerality, balanced by its bright and racy character, makes it best used with a meal as opposed to an aperitif.… Read more

($18): Bauer has managed to combine an engaging fleshiness with a steely frame to fashion a thoroughly enjoyable and balanced Riesling that finishes without a trace of sweetness. Those who shun Riesling believing, erroneously, that it is always sweet, need to try this wine.… Read more