Ever had sparkling Grüner Veltliner?

There’s a new summer wine. An Austrian Grüner Veltliner bubbly. Made like champagne, but without the price tag. Original, fresh and summery, with a deliciously spicy tingle at the end. Great for a party. Or better yet: the perfect reason to throw one. 

Viennese Sekthaus Schlumberger has made a wonderful sparkling wine from the country’s signature white grape—the Grüner Veltliner. You actually wonder why they didn’t do it much sooner…

Because this typically Austrian variety is only becoming more popular. Of course, they’ve known for a long time what a wonderful grape they had on their hands, but these days the GrüVe (affectionately renamed Groovy by English speakers) is also adored beyond the country’s borders.

Wine made from Grüner Veltliner is always a good choice. Its lovely, fresh acidity makes it extremely suitable for the terrace. And yet it’s also full-bodied and warm enough for the dinner table. Thanks to its fresh, fruity character—which can sometimes come across as almost sweet—and its unique (white) pepper note, it even goes perfectly with spicy dishes. Ideal when you’re ordering a bottle to share.

Viennese wine cellars

And now there’s finally a sparkling GrüVe. Cheerfully sparkling in the glass, with a lovely green tinge and a fine mousse. Deliciously refreshing, even slightly grassy. A little grapefruit alongside crisp apples, with a slice of apricot and fresh toast for extra body. The soft, juicy flavor finishes with a groovy twist of a pinch of pepper and a sprig of lime.

The traditional-method aging in the country’s oldest wine cellars—deep beneath the sacred ground of Vienna’s opera houses—gives this bubbly character, beautiful toasted aromas and a champagne-like allure. But with a wonderfully Austrian twist. Delicious.

You can buy Schlumberger Grüner Veltliner (around € 14.50), among other places, here and here.