My Love Affair with Grüner Veltliner continues with Laurenz V Singing and Charming

GrünerVeltliner is synonymous with the Austrian Wine market. Just as Argentina has adopted Malbec and for Rioja: Tempranillo, Austria is famous for this incredibly versatile, crisp grape that is currently at the top of my list.

As a sushi and asparagus lover, I am incredibly pleased to see Grüner Veltliner as the wine of choice for these foods. What's even better? Despite the cooler weather GrünerVeltliner isn't out of style. The crisp acidity and light body of the wine enhances the natural flavors in Thanksgiving turkey and vegetable sides.

I had the opportunity to taste two Grüner Veltliner from the Laurenz V winery produced by Lenz Moser III on Friday afternoon: Singing 2008 and Charming 2006 (Folio Fine Wine Partners)on Friday afternoon, which turn out to be a perfect start to the weekend and a perfect pick-me-up for such a rainy and unpleasant day. Laurenz V winery focuses solely on white wines and is backed by six generations of wine makers.

Despite being the same grape, these wines showed significant variation in flavor profile and each have a story all their own.

Singing is a collaboration between Laurenz V. and his daughter, now 6th generation wine maker, Sophie. The wine was packaged to appeal to a younger generation - and that is does. The fun white and orange label alludes to a young, vibrant wine that fills the bottle. The wine is light in body and is full of young citrus fruits, pineapple and spicy white pepper.

On the other hand, the older and more sophisticated Charming, from the Kamptal region expresses defined wine personality and is packaged to appeal to women. The wines aroma is definitively light and airy, but the palate shows a rich, pleasurable quality that has incredible length. Defined, ripe pineapple and green apple fruits add to this wines "charm" as Laurenz V.'s signature wine.

Appropriately named, Singing and Charming, Laurenz V. believes wine is made for enjoyment and stands behind their motto, "Hunting for White Wine Lovers."

Luckily I have two bottles of each, so I can't wait to indulge again!

Greetings and Salutations

Oy. I've been racking my brain in hopes of producing a witty, informative, and entertaining first post, but then I realized my manners. Hello, everyone. My name is Laurie and I'm the author of Petite Terroir.

Currently, I'm a social media marketing manager at Brand Action Team, LLC, which is located in my bustling hometown of Avon, CT.

I'm working on a extensive marketing project with the Austrian Wine Marketing Board. The project includes reaching out to wine bloggers (all 600+ of us, lol) as well as an e-commerce component. I look forward to visiting Austria in June for the 2009 Austrian Wine Summit. And I'll be attending the 2009 Wine Bloggers' Conference in Napa this July.

A little more about me: I was raised by a mother from France and a father from Iran (that's them on their wedding day in 1972. Hello, crazy Pucci wedding dress!). My Dad lived in France on and off for nearly twenty years. Interesting fact about my Dad: loves expensive, French wine, but drinks cheap, American beer (like Piels). My Mom arrived from Paris in 1976. I think it goes without saying that the type of wine I've been most exposed to is French. Cabernet Sauvignon, in particular.

However, as wonderful French wine is I enjoy tasting and drinking wines from other regions, too. Terroir changes everything. C'est vrai, non? I've had a great deal of exposure to Austrian wines since beginning this marketing project. I'm particularly fond of Austrian dessert wines. They are sweet, syrupy, luscious gold in my humble opinion. I'm looking forward to tasting those made by Kracher when I reach Austria. Of the non-dessert wines, the Laurenz V Singing Grϋner Veltliner is another favorite. It certainly does "sing."

Next week I'm attending an event at the Austrian Consulate General in New York City. The event will feature an Austrian wine tasting from importers Vin Divino, Michael Skurnick Wines, Prescott Wines, Inc., Darcy and Huber Selections, Monika Caha Selections, and Winemonger Imports.

Recently, I stopped by my local wine shop for a bottle of Bonny Doon Vineyard's Big House Red. I asked the store clerk to show me their Austrian wine selection. Unsurprisingly, it consisted of only about six wines, all whites, mostly GVs, no desert wines or reds. However, over the past half-decade Austria's wine exports have enjoyed a 250% increase, so I hope to see more of their varietals in our retail shops and online, and not just in major cities.

More to come at a later date. Thanks very much for stopping by. À votre santé!