Grüner Veltliner as a harbinger of summer

Despite the beautiful weather, I feel exhausted after a long day at work. And it's only Tuesday, not even halfway through the week. Reluctantly, I force myself to do a short but intense workout. After a shower, I feel better; I have a renewed sense of energy. The sight of the setting sun also makes me crave a glass of wine. And hungry. My inner couch potato is vehemently protesting against a complicated meal. I give in and whip up a quick lentil salad with avocado. At least it's vegetarian. On this sunny Tuesday, wine will definitely take center stage.

White wine from Austria means Grüner Veltliner

I'm in the mood for white wine. For a change, not from the Palatinate. My eye is drawn to the Grüner Veltliner from the Anton Schöfmann winery. This grape variety is nothing less than the flagship of Austrian wine. My expectations are correspondingly high. As always, I let my nose lead the way. A floral aroma, reminiscent of summer in a colorful garden. Now it's time for the first sip. My taste buds are initially surprised by a noticeable acidity. Noticeable, but by no means unpleasant. The crisp acidity is followed by a fruity flavor. Almost like biting into a Granny Smith apple. As expected, the Grüner Veltliner Klassik from Schöfmann has a dry finish. Makes you want more.

Image: Grüner Veltliner from the Anton Schöfmann winery

White wine from the Schöfmann winery as the perfect accompaniment

I'm sitting on my balcony again. My impromptu salad turned out perfectly and is accompanied by the Grüner Veltliner. Despite my balsamic-heavy dressing, the combination with the crisp wine isn't too acidic. I savor the last bites of my creation and then lean back with the white wine in my hand. Suddenly, life doesn't feel so serious and stressful anymore. I take another deep breath of the wine's aroma, absorbing even more of its floral notes. With its fruity, apple-like flavor, the Grüner Veltliner from Schöfmann is a perfect match for the current spring weather and makes me long for summer. The pale yellow liquid dances joyfully in my glass as I swirl it. I treat myself to one last sip, and then the glass is empty. I hardly noticed that it was already my second glass.

Grüner Veltliner as an alternative to Riesling?

As a lover of Palatinate white wines, my expectations for the Grüner Veltliner were high. Once again, however, the Schöfmann family has managed to pleasantly surprise me with a delicious wine. Especially on a cold but sunny spring day like today, the winery's Grüner Veltliner impresses with its pleasant freshness and lively acidity. A floral aroma and noticeable apple notes hint at a long, warm summer to come. For me, the Grüner Veltliner Klassik from the Schöfmann winery has proven to be a genuine alternative to Riesling.

About the author Tim Jaschke

Image: Author Tim Jaschke

Tim lives in Mannheim, which is not far from the Palatinate region. This area is home to numerous traditional as well as modern wineries. This has sparked a passion for wine, which Tim now combines with his freelance work as a writer.