Another mystery of the wine world has been solved: Frankovka (Blaufränkisch) and Portugieser both originate from Slovenia. Scientific journal VITIS Journal of Grapevine Research published the results of German scientists from the Julius Kühn Institute, Federal Research Centre for Cultivating Plants, Geilweilerhof in Siebeldingen who have finally fingerprinted the DNA profile of Portugieser and Frankovka.

We already knew that Portugieser and Frankovka are genetically related. We knew that Frankovka is a cross between some unknown variety and Belina (Gouais Blanc). We knew that Portugieser is a cross between some unknown variety and Green Sylvaner. The missing link was the mysterious other parents. The discovery of the other parent of Portugieser and Frankovka helped us confirm their relation and also locate their place of origin.

The mystery is resolved owing to recent discovery of black variety "Blaue Zimmettraube" (meaning blue cinnamon grape). This variety was found in Rheinhessen a few years ago. Scientists have detected an unknown late variety with dark blue berries grouped in a loose cluster. The same type of grapes was determined also in the Italian region of Friuli, where it was locally known as Sbulzina. Since Blaue Zimmettraube has functionally female flowers, in the 19th century this variety was usually planted in vineyards together with varieties such as Green Sylvaner and Belina. Scientists immediately rejected the possibility that Blaue Zimmettraube originates from Austria because this variety hasn't been found or recorded on Austrian soil. In addition, Austria didn't know red wine production until 1800s. Therefore all traces indicate that the cradle of Portugieser and Frankovka is somewhere in Lower Styria, i.e. Slovenia. This finding definitely rejects the theory that Portugieser originated from Portugal, and Frankovka originated from Dalmatia, France or Lower Austria.

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