WineGuessrRed grape variety
Blaufränkisch
Also called Kékfrankos, Lemberger, Limberger, Frankovka, Modra frankinja
Blaufränkisch is a red grape from Central Europe known for peppery wines with dark cherry and berry fruit and fresh acidity. It is Austria's leading quality red, especially in Burgenland, and as Kékfrankos a key grape of Hungary's Egri Bikavér. Austria had 3,340 hectares in 2008.
| Color | Red (black-skinned) |
|---|---|
| Origin | Lower Styria, today Slovenia (a cross of Gouais Blanc and Blaue Zimmettraube) |
| Body | Medium to full |
| Acidity | High |
| Tannin | Medium |
| Typical aromas | dark cherry, blackberry, black pepper, spice, plum |
| Key regions | Burgenland (Austria), Mittelburgenland (Austria), Eger (Hungary), Württemberg (Germany), Slovakia, Washington (United States) |
Origin and history
Blaufränkisch originated in Lower Styria, now part of Slovenia. DNA profiling shows it is a cross of Gouais Blanc (Weißer Heunisch) and Blaue Zimmettraube. Its name refers to Franconia: in the Middle Ages, wines described as fränkisch were regarded as superior to other varieties, and the label became attached to the grape. It spread across Central Europe under many names: Kékfrankos in Hungary, Frankovka in the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Croatia and Serbia, Modra frankinja in Slovenia, and Lemberger or Limberger in Germany and the United States. Austria had 3,340 hectares in 2008, with Burgenland as its heartland.
Where it grows
In Austria, Blaufränkisch is concentrated in Burgenland, where Mittelburgenland, sometimes called Blaufränkischland, had 1,194 hectares in 2008. In Hungary, Kékfrankos is widely planted and is a major ingredient of Egri Bikavér, the Bull's Blood of Eger. In Germany it is grown mainly in Württemberg, where it is called Lemberger, and it is an important red grape in Slovakia, the Czech Republic and Croatia under the name Frankovka. In the United States, Washington State had 30 hectares in the Columbia Valley AVA in 2011.
Taste, wine styles and food
Blaufränkisch typically shows dark ripe cherries and dark berries with peppery spice, medium tannin and often very good acidity. Its style depends on site and winemaking, from fresh, juicy wines for early drinking to more structured, oak-aged bottlings intended for cellaring. It is made both as a varietal, as in Austria's Mittelburgenland, and in blends such as Hungary's Egri Bikavér, where it is combined with grapes including Cabernet Franc and Merlot. The grape's freshness and spice make it a good match for lamb dishes and grilled meats, as well as goulash, roast duck, game and mushroom dishes, and its acidity helps it cut through rich Central European cooking such as roast pork with dumplings.
Wines made with Blaufränkisch (2)
WineGuessr lists 2 wines made with Blaufränkisch, from 2 countries. Most come from Hungary (1).
Blaufränkisch: questions and answers
Is Kékfrankos the same as Blaufränkisch?
Yes. Kékfrankos, meaning blue Frankish, is the Hungarian name for Blaufränkisch, which is called Lemberger in Germany and Frankovka in Slovakia and the Czech Republic.
What does Blaufränkisch taste like?
Blaufränkisch tastes of dark cherry and blackberry with peppery spice. It has fresh, often high acidity and medium tannin.
Where does Blaufränkisch come from?
Blaufränkisch comes from Lower Styria, now in Slovenia. DNA shows it is a cross of Gouais Blanc and Blaue Zimmettraube.
What grapes are in Egri Bikavér?
Egri Bikavér, or Bull's Blood of Eger, is a Hungarian red blend in which Kékfrankos (Blaufränkisch) is a major component, often with Cabernet Franc, Merlot and other varieties.
Other red grapes
All grape varieties →Sources: en.wikipedia.org
Last reviewed October 2026.