If you like Pinot Noir, try Blaufränkisch

If you love the fruit-forward nature of pinot or have been influenced by the popular movie Sideways to love pinot, I’d highly recommend you try a Blaufränkisch (pronounced Blaw-Frawn-keesh) from Austria. If you’ve never heard tried or even heard of the grape, then that’s precisely what this blog is about— expanding your grape horizons!

A Few things to know: As with the journey of most obscure grapes, there usually is a pivotal moment where it turns head on the international stage with wine enthusiasts—this happened for the grape in 1986 when Ernst Triebaumer’s single varietal won 1st place in a blind tasting in Vienna. Today it is the 2nd most commonly planted red grape in Austria (behind Zweigelt, which happens to be Blaufränkisch’s offspring). Most of the Blaufränkisch vineyards are located in Eastern Austria in a spot called Burgenland (if you are in Vienna, it’s a 2 hour road trip to the south). The cool weather in Burgenland allows the grape to build up bright acidity (akin to some pinot) and the grape usually exhibits juicy red and black fruit notes.

Tasting profile: dark ripe cherries, juicy strawberries, leather, black currants, bright acidity, moderate tannins

Price for a decent bottle: $25 -$35

Producers to try: Admittedly, blaufränkisch is harder to find in the United States than pinot but if you make a little effort, these producers are worth seeking out.

Moric: the winemaker is a self admitted Burgundy fine and makes his wines to resemble a burgundian style

Ernst Triebaumer: if you find yourself in front of any of his wines, you have to give it a go since he’s the “OG” of blaufränkisch

Rosi Schuster: winery was founded by matriarch Rosi and today her son Hannes runs the show