Austrian Grüner Veltliner may be increasing in popularity in the United States, but the Lagler family has been farming vineyards for over 200 years and crossed over to grower-producer in the 1970s. This Grüner Veltliner comes from their Burgberg site outside of Spitz. Tart stone fruit and bright green apples fill the glass with an undertone of minerality, dried baby’s breath flowers, and dried grass. Grüner Veltliner is known for its bright acidity but the Lagler team has balanced a touch of residual sugar into the wine — unnoticeable to anyone not looking — making it instantly approachable. The quality of this wine is suitable for bottle aging but, with a price tag under $25, further aging is really optional.
Weingut Lagler, Wachau DAC (Austria) Grüner Veltliner 2021
By Vince Simmon