Muller Gruner Veltiner

Grüner Veltliner is Austria's signature white grape, and this bottle is a Massachusetts-appellation take on it. That makes it a cool-climate example, though the details given here don't include a vintage, ABV or tasting notes. What follows is the profile you can expect from the variety at this kind of site. It is not a measured description of this bottle. Styles like this are usually dry, light to medium in body, with crisp acidity and no oak influence. Expect citrus and green orchard fruit, such as lime, green apple and pear. The variety's hallmark is a savory, peppery lift, often described as white pepper, along with hints of fresh herbs or snap pea. Because it is typically fermented and aged in stainless steel, the texture stays clean and the finish is dry, brisk and mildly spicy rather than creamy. There are no tannins in a white wine like this, and the acidity does the structural work. That acidity and peppery edge make it a flexible partner at the table. It suits vegetable-driven dishes that usually fight with wine, including asparagus, artichokes, green beans and spring peas. It also works with a salad dressed in vinaigrette. Shellfish and New England staples such as steamed clams, fried haddock, scallops and oysters fit well, since the wine's brightness plays the role of a squeeze of lemon. Sushi, Vietnamese summer rolls, chicken schnitzel and herb-forward roast chicken are good matches. Mild to moderately spiced Thai and Indian dishes also work, because the dry, low-alcohol-leaning style doesn't amplify heat the way a heavier white can. Serve it well chilled, around 45 to 50°F, which is a few hours in the refrigerator or about 30 minutes in an ice bucket. Going much colder mutes the herbal and peppery detail. There's no need to decant a wine like this. Simply pour it and let it open slightly in the glass. A standard white wine glass with a moderate bowl is a good choice. A glass with a slightly narrowed rim will gather the citrus and spice aromas without exaggerating the alcohol. This is a drink-now bottle. Unoaked, fresh-fruit Grüner Veltliner is generally made to be enjoyed within a couple of years of release, while the acidity and aromatics are at their liveliest. Without a stated vintage, the safest plan is to open it soon rather than cellar it. Once opened, recork it and keep it in the refrigerator, where it should hold its freshness for two to three days.