wine — DRINK — Pen + Knife

Quick Notes: Edgy sister of Sauv Blanc, mouth watering acidity, fresh pear, green apple, melon, citrus, wet stone, bubble gum powder
Buy Locally @ Wine Warehouse + Market Street Wineshops + Foods of All Nations for $12.99
Learn More: www.antonbauer.at

In full disclosure, we're suckers for all things Austrian. Fueled by various trips to Vienna in our younger years, we can’t get enough of the country and its endless highlight reel of culture, history, music and art - all framed by spectacular landscapes and navigable via uber-efficient, idiot-proof public transportation. (That said, Patt did once have a mishap on the orange line that landed him in a U-Bahn rail yard for a while until the train was recirculated into action. Ask him about his travel karma and the day he spent homeless. In a tuxedo. Anyway...)

Ranking at the top of our list of the many gems Austria has to offer: wine. On his most recent trip, a friend of Patt's from Senftenberg - a small town situated in the heart of wine country one hour northwest of the capital - took him behind the scenes to a few of his family’s favorite vineyards and Heurigers (local wine taverns where small area growers showcase their releases for the season). Mesmerized by the personality and expressiveness of wines from that region, he now often cuts a predictable path to the Austria section upon entering his go-to Cville bottle shops. And we follow.

From globally recognized varietals like Riesling and Pinot Noir to lesser-known indigenous gems like Blaufränkisch and Zweigelt, Austrian winegrowers cast a net that captivates wine nerds and newbies alike. This time of year, we find ourselves especially gravitating towards Grüner Veltliner, another indigenous varietal that is the most widely planted in the country. Like the cool, edgy sister of Sauvignon Blanc you can’t quite figure out, this white variety can make unsettlingly chuggable young, fresh-style dry wines, as well as richer reserve styles ready to lay down in the cellar for years. Grüner’s signature electric acidity will rock your palate like a tiny AC/DC concert and keep you coming back, sip after sip (#acidhead). Incidentally, it’s also one of the few things that can effectively cut through the heat and humidity of a Virginia summer. Whatever style you choose, you’re in for a treat.

Hitting the shelf locally at $12.99, acclaimed producer Anton Bauer’s 2015 Grüner Veltliner from the Gmörk vineyard is a steal. Hailing from the same Niederösterreich wine-growing area Patt diligently “researched” years ago, Bauer’s most recent release is simultaneously cutting, clean, curvy, and all around delicious. On the nose, we get fresh pear, green apple, melon, coriander, and - going out on a limb here - bubble gum powder (like the dusting on the outside of Hubba Bubba Bubble Tape - don’t act like you don’t know what we're talking about). The palate is a delicious tangy wash of citrus fruit, white pepper, and wet stone minerality. (Lick a stone if you don’t believe us. Really.) True to its Grüner form, the mouth-watering acidity makes us wonder why we didn’t pour ourselves a larger glass. Don’t be fooled by the entry-level, bargain price and drink-now style because this wine hits above its weight class (no wonder it's available at many of the best shops in town - see where above.)

This summer season, raise a glass to your fridge’s new best friend and enjoy while it lasts. The bottle will be cashed before you know it.