Wines of Hungary champions Blaufränkisch in new ‘Blue of the Danube’ tasting

The trade organisation for Hungarian wine has announced a new tasting event, dedicated to the Blaufränkisch grape.

Wines of Hungary UK said the inaugural event will focus solely on what it calls ‘the most important black grape’ in Central and Eastern Europe.

‘Following the success of Wines of Hungary’s Furmint tasting earlier this year, we recognised the clear interest in wines from the region within the UK market,’ said Wines of Hungary UK’s Zsuzsa Toronyi. ‘It felt natural therefore to focus the next event around Blaufränkisch.’

Blaufränkisch has several names across the regions in which it is grown, including: Kékfrankos, Blaufränkisch Frankovka Modra, Burgund Mare and Lemberger.

Elizabeth Gabay MW, who is hosting masterclasses on the day, said: ‘Blaufrankisch is a dark-skinned, late-ripening variety which produces red wines that typically have fine tannins and pronounced spicy characters. It can range from rich fruity opulence to restrained silky elegance. There is great potential for this variety in the UK.’

The event will feature around 40 producers from Hungary, Austria, Croatia, Slovakia, Romania and Slovenia. It will take place at Merchant Hall, London on 28 October. The trade session runs from 11am–4pm and consumers are welcome from 5pm–8pm.

Masterclasses include ‘Understanding Blaufränkisch and its region with Elizabeth Gabay MW’ and ‘Blaufränkisch Blended - an introduction to Hungary's Bull's Blood with Orsi Szentkirályi’.

Click here to sign up.