Kékfrankos

History

A genuine Central European variety whose origins are not entirely clear, although it has a wealth of exciting stories and legends. According to the latest findings, it probably originated in what is now Austria and is a natural cross between the Blue Cinnamon grape and Gouais Blanc. It was first mentioned in Austria (as Blaufränkisch) and Germany (as Lemberg in the state of Württemberg) in the middle of the 18th century. It was first mentioned in Hungary in 1890; its old synonym was Nagyburgundi. According to a Napoleonic legend, the winegrowers of Sopron had to be paid with the more valuable "blue Franks". However, this is probably just a legend, as Sopron was planted with white varieties at the time and the variety was only permitted in the country later.

What the wine tastes like

If you had to summarize it in a single sentence, you could say that it is a versatile, high-quality variety. It can produce not only rosés and fruity red wines, but also appealing wines in the form of full-bodied, oak-aged wines and the aforementioned blends. Their wines are usually (depending on the style) fresh, fruity and reminiscent of strawberry, raspberry and violet with floral and delicately spicy notes. It is characterized by a pronounced acidity and moderately intense tannins. It adapts well to different terroirs and shows a preference for ageing in barriques. The wines made from Kékfrankos are interesting from various points of view. It is the most widely cultivated variety in Hungary today, it is capable of producing high quality and diverse styles, it is able to reflect the characteristics of the terroir and it is a true local variety of the Carpathian Basin.