The Blauburger is the successful crossing of Blauer Portugieser x Blaufränkisch, created in Klosterneuburg by Professor Fritz Zweigelt. The idea was to plant the Blauburger in traditionally white wine regions, and where red wine varieties had problems ripening.
Origin
Austria, LFZ Klosterneuburg
Parentage
New breed from Blauer Portugieser x Blaufränkisch
Vineyard area
742 ha, 1.6 %
Parentage: New breed created by Dr. Fritz Zweigelt in 1923 at the Teaching and Research Centre for Viticulture and Horticulture (LFZ) in Klosterneuburg.
Vineyard area: Grows mainly in Niederösterreich, especially in the Weinviertel.
Important ampelographic features:
Leaf: five-lobed, overlapping petiole
Grape cluster: medium-sized; moderately compact; cylindrical, shouldered, often with wings; grapes have a frosted blueish-black colour
Ripening time: early- to mid-season
Significance, conditions: a salient feature is the deep dark colour of the wine, which makes Blauburger also a good blending partner for light-coloured red wines. While it can have a modest image as a monovarietal wine, there is also a higher quality potential, especially when the grapes are grown in good sites and yields are limited. Blauburger has no heavy site and soil demands.
Wine: The variety presents a wine that is extract-rich and has a very dark colour. Generally, the wines are neutral and have soft berry aromas - mostly elderberry. The palate is velvety and harmonious.