Portugieser

[por-chuh-GHEE-zer; por-too-GHEE-zer] This variety (whose full name is Blauer Portugieser) is the most widely planted red-wine grape in Austria, second behind Spätburgunder (pinot noir) in Germany. Despite its name, Portugieser seems to have no connection to Portugal and appears, in fact, to have originated in Austria. It is a high-yielding vine that produces slightly sweet but rather ordinary light red and rosé wines. Moderate amounts are planted in France, where it's called Portugais Bleu. Small quantities are also grown in Hungary, where it's known as Kékoporto or Kékoportó and Oporto and is used as a minor component in their "bull's blood" (egri bikavér) wines.