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Gruner Veltliner
(GROO-nur FELT-leen-er)
King of the Danube, this Austrian favorite produces light, crisp whites noted for their versatility and excellent balance.

By far Austria's most widely grown grape variety, Gruner Veltliner is fast gaining a reputation around the world for its refreshing character and versatility.

A medium-bodied, dry white with prominent acidity, herbaceous aromas, and flavors of delicate fruit and white pepper; it pairs well with a wide range of light dishes. Most are usually drunk young, although the best have tremendous aging potential.

Gruner Veltliner is cultivated in several areas across the country, but the premier regions are along the banks of the Danube, west of Vienna. It also grows well a bit further north of the capital, where the wines develop a spicy character.

Next grape
Blaufrankisch
(blouw-FRANN-keesh)
Made from Austria's second most popular red grape, these spicy red wines are charmingly food friendly and full of character.
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St. Laurent
(sahn-luh-RAHN)
Pinot Noir's wilder, more dangerous cousin. This grape creates aromatic red wines with fruity appeal and mouth-filling texture.
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Sauvignon Blanc
(SOH-vin-yon-BLAHN)
An international favorite. These white wines are fresh, bracing and versatile.
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Muskat
(muss-CAT)
An ancient grape from an eminent viticultural family. Muskat wines are usually sweet and full-bodied, perfect as an apertif or with desserts.
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Austrian Wine Tasting Kit

Discover the charms of Austrian wines with friends by hosting your own wine tasting party!

Our Austrian Wine Tasting Kit showcases three of the county's best varietals - Gruner Veltliner, Blaufrankisch, and St. Laurent - all chosen to accompany cool-weather dining.

¥9900 for three-bottle set (includes free shipping within Japan)
estate wines
Go to ordering page at Estate Wines
About Estate Wines

Message from the Austrian Ambassador

"Austrian Wines have a three millenia long tradition paired with a very modern viniculture. Austrian wine makers do not produce big quantities but each individual wine reflects the character of its origin, the particulars of its topography, the culture of its people...." continued below
Machherndl Smaragd, Steinwand '08
Weingut Machherndl
An elegant, medium-bodied white with crisp fruit flavors and refreshing acidity. It works well with a wide range of dishes, from difficult-to-match vegetarian fare to light meats, such as veal and pork.
Eighth-generation winemaker Erich Machherndl skillfully blends modern techniques with tradition and carefully tends the century-old vines at this family-run winery.
Tasting Notes
Apple, pear and lime-edged citrus aromas on the nose. A firm, fresh impact followed by a generous center of tightly coiled umami, with savory mineral and bitter notes in the finish.
Pairing suggestions



Vegetable dishes - grilled shiitake mushrooms; crab, avocado and mizuna salad; oden items such as simmered tofu puffs stuffed with burdock root and vegetables
Fish and shellfish - sushi; oysters on the half shell with grated yuzu; scallops and brussel sprouts; baked salt cod with garlic aoli
Light meats - grilled chicken yakitori with Japanese leeks; herbed pork sausages; roasted veal
Dim Sum - steamed shrimp dumplings; pan-fried turnip cakes; crab and asparagus dumplings
Soup and hot pot dishes - Vietnamese pho noodle soup; nabe hotpot with chicken meatballs and Napa cabbage
Ordering Information
¥2888/bottle
estate wines
Go to ordering page at Estate Wines
About Estate Wines
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World-class Austrian wines

Across the globe, the wines of Austria have garnered accolades from some of the most respected names in the industry. Master of Wine Jancis Robinson has praised Austrian whites for their "beautifully pure, full-bodied, food-friendly" character, while New York Times critic Eric Asimov has extolled the "unspeakable delights" of Austrian reds.

This year, a whopping 265 Austrian wines received a score of 90 points or higher -- marking them as "outstanding wines of exceptional complexity and character" -- in Robert Parker's influential publication The Wine Advocate.

Austrian wines have made impressive showings at several international tastings. The country's outstanding wines made from international varieties such as Riesling and Sauvignon Blanc, along with lesser-known grapes including Blaufrankisch and St. Laurent, are gaining fans from New York to London. These hand-crafted, fantastically food-friendly wines pair wonderfully with an array of world cuisines.

Join us in exploring some of Austria's most popular wine varieties and finest vineyards, and discover a few representative Austrian wines to savor in the chilly winter months.

Austrian Wines Dazzle the Pros in London

Austrian wines first stepped into the international spotlight in 2002, when a line-up of Gruner Veltliner outperformed some of the world's finest Chardonnays in a blind tasting judged by industry professionals at London's fashionable Groucho Club.

Two years later, the club hosted a similar blind taste-off featuring Rieslings. Matched against top-class examples from Germany, France and Australia, the Rieslings from Austria stole the show.


The emphasis in Austria, says Willi Klinger, director of the Austrian Wine Marketing Board, is on quality over quantity.

"We offer authentic, artisanal, individual and natural wines made by families. Our unique microclimates, great culinary tradition and dynamic people make Austrian wine special."

Message from the Austrian Ambassador

"Austrian Wines have a three millenia long tradition paired with a very modern viniculture. Austrian wine makers do not produce big quantities but each individual wine reflects the character of its origin, the particulars of its topography, the culture of its people. I am happy that some of the best wines that Austria produces find their way to Japan and onto elegant Japanese tables to accompany exquisite food."

"Since my arrival some two years ago I made it one of my priorities to make Austrian wines better known in Japan, being confident that true appreciation will follow. I am thankful to Bento.com to give Austrian wines a platform."

Ambassador Jutta Stefan-Bastl, Austrian Embassy
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