Franconia

Also known as Blaufränkisch, Blauer Limberger, Lemberger.

The Italian name for the Blaufränkisch family, an ancient red grape documented in Austria and Hungary since medieval times, known in its Austrian homeland as Blaufränkische or Limberger. In Italy it is grown mainly in Friuli-Venezia Giulia (Gorizia and Udine provinces, especially the eastern Collio near the Slovenian border), with additional plantings in Bergamo province (Lombardia) and Treviso province (Veneto).

Large, pyramidal, winged clusters carry medium-large berries with tough blue skin under abundant bloom. A robust, adaptable vine that tolerates drought, wind and variable climate well, with the cold hardiness typical of Central European varieties. Wines are rich in anthocyanins and color, with fruity and floral aromas closing on a spicy note — generally light-bodied, freshly structured wines meant to be drunk young rather than built for long aging. Named as a varietal-specification grape in several of Veneto's eastern IGTs.