Grüner Veltliner Smaragd with Wiener Schnitzel
Smaragd Grüner Veltliner's white-pepper character and high acidity cut through the golden breadcrumb crust and brown butter, refreshing the palate between bites of breaded veal.
What to eat with the wines of Wachau, and where the region food and wine meet.
Pairings to know in Wachau
Riesling Smaragd with Tafelspitz
Wachau Riesling Smaragd's firm acidity and mineral depth suit the clean, broth-poached beef of Tafelspitz. Lime and stone-fruit notes align with the apple-horseradish condiments served alongside.
Grüner Veltliner Federspiel with Heuriger Spread
At a Viennese Heuriger, lighter Federspiel Grüner Veltliner accompanies Liptauer (spiced curd cheese), Bauernbrot and sliced meats. Crisp acidity and approachable pepper notes thread through every dish.
Riesling Smaragd with Wiener Gulasch
The racy acidity and mineral backbone of Wachau Riesling Smaragd provides contrast to Vienna's slow-braised, paprika-rich beef Gulasch. The Riesling's structure and fruit cut through the fat.
Nikolaihof Vom Stein Riesling Smaragd with Apfelstrudel
Nikolaihof's biodynamic Vom Stein Riesling, with herbal spice and firm citrus acidity, bridges the gap with classic Viennese Apfelstrudel. Minerality and lime-blossom notes complement the cinnamon-apple filling.
Grüner Veltliner Smaragd with Marillenknödel
Wachauer Marille apricot is both a local culinary icon and the fruit most associated with the valley's wine profile. Smaragd Grüner Veltliner's stone-fruit and pepper notes echo the warm apricot dumpling filling.
Wachau Riesling with Kaiserschmarrn
Kaiserschmarrn, the shredded caramelised pancake with plum compote, pairs with a rounder Wachau Riesling. The wine's citrus acidity lifts the egg-butter sweetness and the stone-fruit echoes the compote.
Biodynamic Wachau Riesling with Zander
Freshwater Zander from the Danube is a defining dish of the Wachau. Racy acidity and saline mineral finish of a biodynamic Riesling Smaragd is a textbook river-fish pairing found in Vienna's Beisl restaurants.
Taste it with the wine: food and wine experiences in Wachau
Food and wine tastings, wine and cheese tastings and cellar visits you can book in Wachau, best reviewed first.
Wachau Valley Private Wine Tour with Tasting and Gourmet Lunch
Explore Austria’s renowned Wachau Valley on a private wine tasting tour that showcases the region's exceptional wines and culinary delights. This day trip from Vienna ...
Krems an der Donau: Winery tour and tasting at the Weingut Stadt Krems winery
Experience our winery up close: guided tour of the cellar, tasting of fine wines. Reserve your spot now!
Wine tasting on traditional wooden boats in Wachau Valley
On the big river danube we will ship you through the Wachau valley, passing the small villages and sights while you are tasting wine from regional producers.
Vienna Private Wachau Tour with Wine Tasting to Dürnstein
You will be picked up by our qualified chauffeurs at the agreed meeting point. Get in one of our exclusive vehicles and after a welcome with sparkling wine and Mozart ...
"Indulgence with history, through the wine-harvesting courtyards of Krems & Stein an der Donau"
Discover Krems & Stein in a delightful way! Among old wine-pressing courtyards, we'll sample finger foods and typical Wachau/Krems wines and share stories, with wit, f...
What Wachau's grapes pair with
From the pairings on our Wachau bottle pages, the best match for each grape in a few kinds of food, with the bottle it comes from.
Grüner Veltliner with fish
Grilled Danube pikeperch
The full body and mineral depth of the wine are a match for the firm-fleshed local fish.
Grüner Veltliner with vegetables and salads
White asparagus with brown butter
Grüner Veltliner and white asparagus is a classic Austrian pairing; the wine's herbal notes echo the asparagus.
Grüner Veltliner Smaragd Honivogl, Weingut Franz Hirtzberger →
Grüner Veltliner with pork
Wiener Schnitzel
The wine's crisp acidity and white-pepper spice cut through the breaded crust and butter.
F.X. Pichler Grüner Veltliner Smaragd Kellerberg, Weingut F.X. Pichler →
Riesling with fish
Grilled freshwater perch with dill butter
The wine's racy acidity and stone-mineral character cut through the oily fish and echo the herbaceous dill.
Riesling with oysters and shellfish
Freshwater crab with herb cream
Primary-rock mineral and racy acidity provide the perfect counterpoint to rich shellfish.
Riesling with vegetables and salads
White asparagus
Classic Wachau pairing: the wine's mineral spine and fruit handle asparagus bitterness.
Emmerich Knoll Riesling Smaragd Loibenberg, Weingut Emmerich Knoll →
Book wine experiences in Wachau
Wachau Porcelain Carriage: An exciting carriage ride through the vineyards
An exceptionally discreet carriage tour for 2 with fresh sandwiches & a bottle of sparkling wine from the winemaker
"Indulgence with history, through the wine-harvesting courtyards of Krems & Stein an der Donau"
Discover Krems & Stein in a delightful way! Among old wine-pressing courtyards, we'll sample finger foods and typical Wachau/Krems wines and share stories, with wit, f...
Vienna City Tour and Gourmet Lunch in a Classic Oldtimer
Discover Vienna’s top sights on a private 60-minute tour with a delicious Austrian lunch and a personal guide sharing insider stories, enjoy an exclusive, crowd-free e...
Food Pairing in Wachau, FAQ
When is the best time to visit Wachau for wine?
Peak wine-travel season in Wachau is spring through autumn, with harvest the standout window.
Do I need an appointment to taste at Wachau estates?
classified-growth and grand-cru estates require booking days to weeks ahead; smaller family domaines often take walk-ins midweek.
What hours do Wachau cellars and tasting rooms keep?
most estates open 10:00 to 17:00 by appointment, often closed Sunday and Monday.
How does tipping work at Wachau tastings?
tipping is not expected at tastings; buying a bottle from the cellar door is the customary thank-you.
What is the one wine to try in Wachau?
Ask the next local you meet what they would order. Wachau rewards trust.