United Nations of Kékfrankos - Blaufränkisch - Frankovka - Burgund Mare - Modra Frankinja - Lemberger

The Central European winegrowing regions share a continental climate with low rainfall, cold, dry winters, peak rainfall in late spring, then a dry summer with hot days and noticeable cooling at night, followed by a mostly long, dry autumn.

This offers ideal conditions for the late-ripening and drought-resistant Blaufränkisch grape variety, which has taken a leading role in the wine-growing regions of Central Europe, albeit under very different names.

Fascinatingly multi-faceted

But regardless of whether it is called Kékfrankos, Blaufränkisch, Burgund Mare, Frankovka, Modra Frankinja or Lemberger, this variety produces great red wines thanks to its pronounced acidity and tannin structure.

At the same time, this grape variety also reflects the soil in an excellent way. In Austria alone, the range is enormous: the slate soils on the Eisenberg, loamy and chalky soils in central Burgenland, limestone and slate on the Leithaberg, sandy and gravelly soils on Lake Neusiedl and sandy limestone on the Spitzerberg in Carnuntum. This diversity is fascinating, and yet Austria only accounts for around 15% of the world's Blaufränkisch plantings.

How exciting it must be to compare the wine-growing regions in Hungary, which produces three times as much Kékfrankos as Austria! A good number of wineries from different Hungarian wine regions will prove this when the ‘United Nations’ tasting bar opens at VieVinum in Vienna.

Producers from the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Slovenia, Croatia, Rumania and Germany are also represented. All major wine regions have selected their leading producers to demonstrate the similarities and diversity of the variety.

Is Blaufränkisch a great grape variety?

This question was debated by international wine experts at a conference at Arlberg Weinberg in Lech in 2022. You can read the article here.

Dorli Muhr explains: “Nevertheless, the variety is much less well-known internationally and generally less respected. This is certainly also because the variety is known by numerous names, which makes standardised communication difficult. Furthermore, due to the political conditions in Central Europe, there was no exchange between producers for decades, little research and selection work, and in many countries, there were also few quality endeavours. With this tasting bar at VieVinum, which we are calling the ‘United Nations of Blaufränkisch’, we would like to create a close alliance between those wineries that are considered to be the most committed in their respective countries of origin. At the same time, we want to give international expert visitors the opportunity of experiencing the broad spectrum of the variety, which represents a common umbrella for the winegrowing regions of Central Europe."

Shared Central European heritage

During VieVinum (16-18 May), the tasting bar ‘United Nations of Kékfrankos /Blaufränkisch) in the Hofburg Lounge will offer more than 100 wines to taste. Representatives from each wine region will be present to provide information about their wines and regions.

For the press

Many of the winemakers will be on site in person. As a focussed discussion is often difficult during a busy trade fair, we would be happy to arrange interview appointments in advance.

INFO

Date: Saturday 16. May to Monday 18. May 2026

Location: VieVinum, Hofburg Lounge at the Hofburg VIENNA

Language: English / German

A valid ticket for VieVinum is required.