From the Danube to the Sutla, along the Sava and from the Drava to the Mirna, are the vineyards and wineries from which Croatian samples arrived for the grand judging of Frankovkas at the Wine & Friends bar in Zagreb. Frankovka is Croatian name for Blaufränkisch, and in Istria they called it Borgonja. Among the 23 Croatian wines of this great Central European variety, 11 judges declared the Istrian one the best: Borgonja Rožoljo 2019 from the Agapito winery from Marčenegla near Buzet. Owner Paolo Agapito named the wine after the beautiful words of his late grandfather Milenko, that borgonja is like rožoljo, which is the local name for rose liqueur. As for Croatian wines, the second and third best rated were from the Slavonian Feričanici: Feravino Miraz Frankovka 2019 and Lingua Franka 2020.
Wines from Slovakia, Hungary, Serbia, Austria and Slovenia were also judged, so almost the entire former Austro-Hungarian monarchy. The names of the varieties are recognizable in the languages of all these countries: Frankovka in Croatia and Serbia, Frankovka Modra in Slovakia, Blue Frankinja in Slovenia, Blaufränkisch in Austria and Kékfrankos in Hungary. This shows the Central European spirit of the variety that buds early and ripens late, which gives the grapes time to develop slowly and not skip stages. The best wines can remind you of robust Cabernet Sauvignon with their aromas, but their body is closer to elegant Pinot Noir.
A total of 66 samples were enjoyed by the judges, Prof. Dr. Ivan Pejić, M.A. Franjo Francem, Ina Bednar, Jana Koščec, Željko Suhadolnik, Ivan Dropuljić, Siniša Medenica, Ivo Kozarčanin, Zoltán Győrffy, Tomo Jakopović and Darko Lugarić. The wines were served by the organizer of the judging, Ivana Pranjić, a wine promoter from the Cork Croatia portal, and Ivan Štefanac from the Krauthaker winery. The best rated, even better than Croatian, were three wines from the Hungarian Villány: Jackfall Kékfrankos 2020, Stier Pincészet Kékfrankos 2021 and Heumann Kékfrankos Reserve 2018.
And the first Slovakian was ahead of the best Croatians: Fyrmonia Kékfrankos Frankovka Modra 2022. Behind ours was the best Slovenian, Modra Frankinja 2022. Pinterič from Bizeljsko. The first among Austrian is Kollwentz Blaufrankisch Leithakalk 2022 from Burgenland, and among Serbian Molovin Inat 2020 from Vinčić winery on Fruška Gora.
