Indigenous to Austria, Gruner Veltliner is Austria's most famous grape variety and is grown extensively in every Austrian wine region, except in Steiermark. Making up 36% of all vineyard plantings, the best wines coming from the north-east of the country, in the regions bordering the Danube River. Grüner Veltliner is a late ripening grape producing wines that are pale green in colour with fruit notes of grapefruits, limes, pears, and sometimes hints of white pepper. Often with a steely backbone of acidity the best wines are able to age gracefully.