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Blaufränkisch
Blaufränkisch is a black-skinned wine grape grown widely in Austria and Hungary, and to a lesser extent in elsewhere in central Europe, including Germany, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Bulgaria and Croatia. In Austria, it is the second most popular red wine variety behind Zweigelt, which itself is a cross between Blaufränkisch and the nation's other signature red grape, Saint-Laurent.
Also known in Europe as Blauer Limberger, Frankovka, Kékfrankos and Gamé, the grape's original name Blaufränkisch which translates literally to "blue Frankish." Frankish and Hunnic were the two distinctions between grapes of the Franconia region of Germany during the middle ages, with the former considered the superior varieties.
Blaufränkisch was for a long time believed to be genetically identical to Pinot Noir, and even Gamay Noir, however modern DNA profiling has now shown that it is at merely related to both of these varieties as they are all in fact descendants of Gouais Blanc. Despite its etymology, the exact origins of the Blaufränkisch grape are not known, however it is speculated that it first appeared somewhere in area comprising Austria, Slovenia, Croatia and Hungary. Today the grape is also grown in new world wine producing nations such as Australia and the US, most notably in the state of Washington where it is known as Lemberger.
Notable regions
Blaufränkisch is widely grown across Austria and is one of or the permitted grape in a numbers of its DAC classification regions, including Mittelburgenland, Leithaberg, Eisenberg, Carnuntum and Rosalia. In Hungary where it is known as Kékfrankos, it is mostly grown in the Kunsag region and is an important component of the country's most famous red wine, Egri Bikaver, better known as Bull's Blood.
Germany, Slovakia and the Czech Republic also have significant Blaufränkisch cultivation, while there are also new world plantings in Australia, Canada, and across the United States.
Characteristics
Blaufränkisch produces dry red wines with medium body and medium-high tannins and acidity.
The dominant flavours and aromas tend to be of rich black fruits like cherry and bramble, pepper, allspice and dark chocolate notes.