Doris & Leopold “Daham”, Grüner Veltliner 2024
Type: Dry Austrian white | Grapes: Grüner Veltliner | Where to Buy + How Much: Trader Joe’s exclusive + ~$5.99 (as of March 2026)
There’s a whole category of wine that lives in the shadow of its own name. You see it on the shelf, you clock that there’s an umlaut involved, and you quietly put it back and grab the Pinot Grigio you already know how to order without embarrassing yourself. How do I know? I legitimately put this tall skinny bottle back on the shelves about 3 times before I was like “But for $5.99? I’ll figure out how to pronounce it later.”
So yes, Grüner Veltliner is one of those wines. And that is a genuine shame. For the record: it’s GREW-ner FELT-leaner. You’ve got it now. Go forth.
So, What Is This Thing?
“Daham” is an Austrian dialect word that loosely means at home. It’s Austria’s flagship grape, grown in Lower Austria northeast of Vienna, where a winemaking culture has been quietly humming along for centuries while the rest of the world argued about Chardonnay (fun fact: your guide here hates Chardonnay.)
This isn’t a serious, age-it-for-a-decade Grüner. It’s the everyday version: fresh, bright, made to be opened on a Tuesday with no guilt.
Aroma
Restrained at first, but lean in and you’ll find lemon, green apple, a whisper of honeysuckle, and something faintly mineral, like a cool block of granite. There’s also a signature Grüner note worth knowing: a subtle hint of white pepper. Not the kind that makes you sneeze. More like the kind that makes you think huh, interesting right before you take another sip.
Palate
Citrus forward (lemon, lime, a little grapefruit), then some stone fruit underneath - maybe nectarine or white peach. The acidity is bright and snappy, with a clean, almost saline (aka, lightly salty) finish.
This is the kind of wine that makes your mouth water for food. That’s not a backhanded compliment; it’s actually the highest praise you can give a wine like this.
Who Is This For (and Who Isn’t It For)?
If you like Sauvignon Blanc, especially the lean, citrusy style, this is your next wine. Same energy, different accent. If you like Pinot Grigio but have quietly been a little bored by the flatness of it, Grüner is the more interesting cousin who just got back from a road trip and has better stories.
If your happy place is a buttery, oaky Chardonnay, this is going to feel like a cold shower by comparison. No oak, no creaminess, no vanilla. And if you tend toward sweeter wines: Daham is dry, full stop.
How to Enjoy It
Temperature: Actually cold. Around 45-50°F. Pull it straight from the fridge and let it warm slightly in the glass as you drink.
Decanting: Don’t bother.
Food: This is where Grüner truly shines. The acidity and minerality cut through richness and lift savory flavors beautifully. Roast chicken, grilled fish, anything with lemon or herbs, sushi, Thai food, even asparagus (one of the few wines that actually plays nice with asparagus, which is notoriously wine-hostile). Or just a back porch at the end of a long day. That works too. Your guide has recently been pairing it with spicy and savory foods such as Mexican and Indian… and has been delighted.