Blaufrankisch

Lower Styria (now part of Slovenia)

Blaufränkisch, meaning 'blue Frankish' in German, is a dark-skinned grape variety used for red wine. It is a late-ripening variety that produces red wines typically rich in tannin and may exhibit a pronounced spicy character. The grape is grown across Central Europe, including Austria, Czech Republic, Germany, Slovakia, Croatia, Serbia, Slovenia, and Italy. In Hungary, the grape is called Kékfrankos and is grown in several wine regions. It has been called 'the Pinot noir of the East' because of its spread and reputation in Eastern Europe.

Dark-skinned grapes with a deep blue-black hue, growing in compact clusters.

Blaufränkisch is known as an early budding variety that can be susceptible to early spring frost. It is a late-ripening variety and tends to be planted in warmer vineyard sites. Among the viticultural hazards that Blaufränkisch is most prone to are powdery and downy mildews. It is considered a high productive vine capable of producing high yields fairly easily.