Stadt Krems Gruner Veltliner Kremstal is a bone-dry Austrian white wine made from 100% Grner Veltliner, bottled at 12.5% ABV in a standard 750ml format. Produced by Weingut Stadt Krems one of Austria’s oldest wine estates, founded in 1452 this Kremstal regional bottling has earned up to 92 points from James Suckling for the 2020 vintage and 91 points for the 2022 vintage.
Quick Facts: ABV: 12.5% | Origin: Kremstal, Austria | Style: Dry White Wine | Producer: Weingut Stadt Krems (est. 1452)
Production & Heritage
Weingut Stadt Krems traces its roots to 1452, making it one of the oldest continuously operating wine estates in Austria. The vineyards sit within the city limits of Krems and its neighboring district of Stein, where steep terraces face the Danube on primary rock and loess soils. This bottling is classified as a Gebietswein a regional wine designed to capture the broad typicity of the Kremstal appellation. Fermentation and aging take place entirely in stainless steel tanks, with a short resting period on fine lees before bottling, preserving varietal purity and freshness rather than adding oak influence.
Tasting Notes
Aroma: Green apple and ripe pear lead the nose, followed by fresh lemon zest and subtle white pepper. Underneath, crushed herbs and a distinctive wet-stone minerality emerge with time in the glass.
Taste: The entry is zesty and focused, with Bartlett pear, green plum, and lime flavors mingling across the palate. Mid-palate, a creamy, mealy texture develops likely a result of the lees contact balanced by a saline, oyster-shell quality and hints of fennel and white tea. The wine sits at a comfortable medium body without heaviness.
Finish: Dry, salty, and refreshingly crisp, with lingering notes of lemon peel and green apple. The finish is moderate in length, leaving a clean mineral impression that invites the next sip.
How to Drink Stadt Krems Grner Veltliner
Serve well chilled, between 810C (4650F), in a standard white wine glass. This is a wine built for straightforward enjoyment no decanting needed. It also works beautifully in a Spritzer, where its crisp acidity and light body hold up against sparkling water. Try it in a Hugo Cocktail (elderflower, mint, prosecco-style base), substituting this Grner Veltliner for the still wine component to add herbal depth. For a simple warm-weather serve, a White Wine Sangria with sliced green apple, pear, and a splash of elderflower liqueur highlights the wine’s natural fruit character.
Best For
Weeknight dinners featuring lighter fare like salads, seafood, or vegetable dishes
Introducing someone to Austrian wine and the Grner Veltliner grape
Summer entertaining where a crowd-friendly, easy-drinking white is essential
Pairing with Asian cuisine, especially Thai or Vietnamese dishes with fresh herbs
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Stadt Krems Grner Veltliner taste like? It is a bone-dry, medium-bodied white wine with dominant flavors of green apple, pear, lime citrus, and a notable saline minerality. White pepper and fresh herbs add complexity beneath the fruit.
How does Stadt Krems Grner Veltliner compare to Esterhazy Grner Veltliner “The Kiss”? Both are approachable, stainless-steel-fermented Austrian Grner Veltliners at similar price points, but the Stadt Krems bottling leans more toward saline minerality and wet-stone character from its Kremstal terroir, while the Esterhazy draws on Burgenland fruit for a slightly rounder, softer profile.
Is Stadt Krems Grner Veltliner good for beginners? Yes its clean fruit profile, moderate 12.5% ABV, and absence of oak make it one of the most accessible introductions to both Grner Veltliner and Austrian wine in general.
Where is Stadt Krems Grner Veltliner made? It is produced by Weingut Stadt Krems in the Kremstal wine region of Lower Austria, from vineyards on terraced slopes near the Danube River within and around the historic city of Krems an der Donau.
What foods pair well with Stadt Krems Grner Veltliner? Wiener Schnitzel is the classic Austrian pairing, where the wine’s acidity cuts through the fried breadcrumb coating. Raw oysters and chilled shrimp complement its saline character. Green salads with goat cheese echo its herbal, tangy notes. Pad Thai or Vietnamese spring rolls work well thanks to the wine’s affinity for fresh herbs and citrus. Asparagus often difficult to pair is a natural match for Grner Veltliner’s vegetal undertones.
What sizes does Stadt Krems Grner Veltliner come in? It is widely available in the standard 750ml bottle, with a 1-liter format also produced for certain markets.
Is Stadt Krems Grner Veltliner worth the price? This wine positions as an entry-level to mid-range Grner Veltliner, and its consistent critical scores including 92 points from James Suckling place it well above average for its value tier, delivering terroir-driven complexity that punches above its weight class.
Why Stadt Krems Grner Veltliner?
Few Austrian producers can claim a winemaking heritage stretching back to 1452, and that history is tied directly to this wine’s terroir terraced vineyards on loess and primary rock soils along the Danube in Kremstal. The stainless-steel vinification with brief lees contact is a deliberate stylistic choice, stripping away any distraction from the grape and the ground it grows in. With 92 points from James Suckling and 90 points from Wine Review Online across recent vintages, this bottling consistently earns critical recognition as a benchmark for regional Kremstal Grner Veltliner. It represents one of the most reliable entry points into serious Austrian white wine without requiring a serious investment.