Fotos: Pécsi borozó (Zoltán Győrffy)

Well, though we, Hungarians like to think that our genius minds are everywhere from the C-vitamin to atomic bomb, Cabernet Franc Day was not invented by a Hungarian, but an American couple, Lori and Michel Budd, owners of a Californian winery called Dracaena Wines, just because they believe in this variety. This how they chose the day:

‘So why December 4th you ask?

I didn’t just randomly choose a day.  I wanted a day with historical significance.  Cabernet Franc is believed to have been established in the Libournais region of southwest France sometime in the 17th century, when Cardinal Richelieu transported cuttings from the Abbey of Bourgeil to the Loire Valley. During his political tenure he was vitally involved in the reform of France. King Louis XIV continued in Richelieu’s vision of creating an absolute monarchy. Historically, Richelieu’s motives are debatable.  Some historians believe him to be a patriotic supporter of the monarchy, while other claim he was simply a power-hungry cynic which is how he is portrayed in the Dumas novel “The Three Musketeers.” Cardinal Richelieu died on December 4, 1642 at the age of 57. It is on this date that I chose to celebrate the grape, that without him, we would not have.’