The vines of this grape variety are mainly encountered in the Badacsony wine region near the Lake Balaton. This grape variety was earlier assumed to be very identical to the Italian grape variety called, Picotlit.

Later the analysis of isoenzymes and microsatellite in the year 2008 confirmed the distinction in between these grapes and called them two separate grapes.

This grape variety is considered as a very rare grape variety which also happens to be very unusual in its nature. The plantation of this white wine grape variety was once carried out in full-throttle.

However, by the year 1970 a great portion of the vines of Keknyelu was pulled out to entertain more productive as well as reliable international grape varieties.

Today, the plantation of this white wine grape variety is just confined to a pocket of western Hungary, which specifically lies on the northern shore of the Lake Balaton in the region of Badascony.

As of the records of the last century, only 90 acres of the vines of this grape variety prevails in the region. Unlike the majority of the Vitis vinifera grape varieties carried out in the viticulture, this white wine grape variety doesn’t entertain the feature of hermaphrodite vine.

It means that both the female (Keknyelu) as well as male (Budai Zold) specimens are wanted for the pollination of this grape.

The winegrowers therefore have carried out the traditional plantation of this vine in the form of rows of male and female vines separately believing on the wind to be the cupid in between these two sexes.

The male part of this pollination entertains very small berry clusters than its female part and produces fewer grapes only. It is the male part of this white wine grape variety which takes all the credits of producing the offspring in the form of this grape.

The vines of this white wine grape variety are considered as very sensitive in nature. Thus, it becomes a little difficult for the farmers as well as the local growers to take care of these vines since these vines are very much prone to a lot of infections as well as allergies.

These vines seek all the hard work of the farmers to produce the grapes that are fully mature and tasteful as to their nature. This grape has been named after its appearance. The name Keknyelu has been given to this grape after its stem that is blue as to its colour.

Origin of Keknyelu grapes

This variety of white wine grape finds its origin in Hungary. As already stated, the most notable region where the plantation of this white wine grape variety is carried out in large is the Badacsony wine region near the Lake Balaton.

Unfortunately, as a result of the increasing popularity of various international grapes and wines, the production and cultivation of this grape have declined to a very higher rate. In fact, today this grape variety remains one of the rarest varieties of grape found in Hungary or anywhere else.

Characteristics of Keknyelu Wines

This grape variety producing white wine is considered as a very high quality grape variety which prepares the medium-bodied wines along with a number of stone fruit as well as floral aromas.

At the same time, Keknyelu also produces the wines that are full-bodied and smoky in nature. This grape variety entertains a top calibre taste as well as produces a number of tasteful flavours that are enjoyed by a majority of wine lovers.

Also, the wines prepared out of this white wine grape variety entertain a great amount of minerality as well as a very high level of acidity. Thus, overall the wines produced out of this white wine grape variety are admired at large.

Also, these wines are one of the most expensive wines of the world, owing to the rare existence of their grape.

Food pairing with Keknyelu Wines

The wines produced out of Keknyelu taste their best when they are served with different kinds of food items such as tacos, white sauce pasta with paprika and dumplings as well as mussels steamed in the white wine.

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Wines with Keknyelu grapes