Blaufränkisch

Blaufränkisch is an Austrian grape variety that is mostly used in the production of fruit-forward varietal wines. This late-ripening grape is cultivated in several wine regions, but Burgenland remains its stronghold. The best expressions of Austrian Blaufränkisch are medium-bodied wines with spicy notes of red and dark berries, refreshing acidity, and firm, but not overpowering tannins.

These wines pair well with a variety of dishes such as roasted or grilled white meat, beef, game, mushrooms, tomato-based sauces, and various cheese varieties. Although it was first identified in Austria, the origin of Blaufränkisch has not yet been discovered.

The grape most likely originated somewhere in the Pannonian Basin, while most suggest Lowery Styria (today part of Slovenia) as its place of origin. Apart from Austria, where it is the second most planted grape, Blaufränkisch is cultivated in several European countries under various synonyms.

It is an important variety in Hungary (Kékfrankos), Croatia (Frankovka), Slovenia (Modra Frankinja), Germany (Lemberger), Czech Republic and Slovakia (Frankovka), Italy (Franconia), Romania (Burgund Mare), and Bulgaria (Gamé), but it is also cultivated in Romania, Moldavia, Serbia, and some plantings are also found in the United States and Australia.