Austria's most significant white wine grape variety, Grüner Veltliner, derives from a natural cross between Traminer and a grape discovered in St. Georgen, Burgenland. As of 2022, it covers 14,548.48 hectares or 32.5% of vineyards in Austria, with a majority in Niederösterreich. Despite a decrease in vine area between 1999 and 2020, Grüner Veltliner remains the most widely planted variety. It's a prolific variety requiring yield regulation and fares well in loess soils. Its wines can vary greatly in quality and characteristics, ranging from light and acidic to richer, more ripe styles with a trademark spicy, peppery note or flavors of stone fruit. It holds a crucial role in Austria's wine industry, contributing to Designation of Origin (DAC) wines, reflecting the distinct characteristics of their origins.
