If you’re not familiar with Gruner Veltiner, you need to change that. The crisp, citrus flavored, acidic white wine, usually from Austria, is a fantastic companion for hot summer days, shrimp, fish, honey glazed ham, pea salad and more. For those looking to expand their taste experiences, Gruner Veltliner (GruVe) is a great alternative to Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc.

For 10 years Fred Loimer winery in Langenlois Austria has been crafting their flagship GruV, LOIS. To commemorate the first decade, LOIS sports a peel away back label revealing 10 fun and whimsical celebratory sayings. In addition to celebrating 10 years, with the 2009 vintage Fred Loimer has been “Bio-Certified” (certification awarded by Lacon, an official bio-authority within the European Union). Congratulations to Fred Loimer on ten years and the commitment to sustainable farming and wine making.

2009 Fred Loimer LOIS

I previously reviewed the 2008 LOIS from Fred Loimer Winery. The wine didn’t score well (2/5), and in a group tasting with 4 Gruner Veltliners it was the unanimous least favorite. That wine was disjointed, bitter, and had a steely minerality to the finish. I’m curious to see the difference between the 08 vintage and the 09.

LOIS in the glass is a pale golden straw color, very clean and pure. The nose is tight and restrained (even at a warmer temperature) with hints of lemon and mild tropical fruits. On the sip, I get a very well balanced flavor of grapefruit and lemon peel. There is a slight effervescence in the mouth feel. I love the crisp attack that gives way to a slightly tart pucker on the back of the palate. The acidity is very well balanced and cleanses the palate, making it an excellent choice to pair with food. Overall the wine is clean and simple providing a nice average flavor profile. While it lacks any complexity or dazzle the 2009 is certainly a better offering that the 2008. The steely minerality is gone and the wine is much more balanced overall. At $12-15, a good introduction to Gruner Veltliner. 3/5

*Wine was provided as an industry sample with the intention to review