Does it give you a boy?

Spoiler: no. The myth has been debunked. The wine of the indigenous grape of Juhfark from volcanic Somló does not give you a baby boy, but it gives you pleasure, so enjoy it, even today, on Valentine’s Day.
Background photo of the cover: Pexels / Foundertips
Author: Ágnes Németh

The following article of mine was written 10 years ago, I won Millesima Blog Awards in Wine Reporter category with this article in 2017, so it might be worth republishing it. The wines are different from the ones in th original article.

Make love and drink Juhfark – does it help if you want a baby boy?

Well, the first action definitely does. The most important indigenous grape variety of Hungary’s smallest wine region, the volcanic soiled Somló is said to have a positive effect on women who long for a son. The legend goes back to the XVIII. century, when Maria Theresa, Habsburg archduchess of Austria and queen of Hungary ordered the young Habsburg archdukes to drink Juhfark wine from Somló on their wedding night so that they would have an heir as a fruit of the night. The argument was backed by the local observation, that four times more baby boys were born then girls around the hill of Somló.

Endre Czeizel, Hungary’s most famous geneticist, who has passed away recently, commented the belief. ‘Stomach is very far from the womb’ – said he undermining the myth immediately. The professor claimed that certain diets might influence the sex of the baby, but these researches still lack evidence, and some of them are too long and hard to keep. Intimate irrigation may have significant influence, however, if the irrigation liquid is acidic, it helps to find their way for X chromosomes, which are for girls, and alkaline environment helps Y chromosomes, and therefore the boys. The grape Juhfark is highly acidic, thus if it has an influence, it has a reverse one: it might enable women to give birth to girls! It is enough to look at Maria Theresia’s family: she had 16 children, and 11 of them were girls! The message of the story is that one should enjoy Juhfark for its own merit, not for family planning.

Juhfark takes its name from the sheep’s tail, as the long cylindrical shape of the bunches resemble the sheep’s tail. Juhfark has a rather neutral, restrained nose with some flowers and green apples. High, sometimes brutal acidity. It is really difficult to tame this variety, but there are amazing examples of it in history! If you are not afraid of straightforward acidity, take a chance on it. In Somló, the minerality paired with high acidity results some outstanding wines with great aging potential.

3 Somló wines to try

Fehérvári Grand Reserve Juhfark 2021

Elegant, oily, concentrated wine, in which the real face of Somló is revealed to us. The scent is dominated by barrel notes, which also appear in the taste, yet do not suppress the fruity notes. Its acids were rounded and playfully integrated into the smoky taste given by the wooden barrel. A real complex, exciting wine, which can show something new almost every time you taste it, just like Somló itself. A must-try for enthusiasts of specialties.
Available for example in the Netherlands at Wijndruppels
More about Fehérvári Wine Estate

Kancellár Nagy-Somlói Juhfark 2021

Straw yellow colour with golden hue. The nose enchants us with acacia flower, honey and minerals, while the volcanic terroir is reflected in the complex tones of volcanic stones and the floral linden notes. Outstanding structure, yet light and soft, moderate acidity and saline character. The complex finish reveals dried fruits and citrus fruits. Elegant wine with its own personality.
More about Kancellár Wine Estate

Tornai Premium Juhfark 2024

Its mature aroma is dominated by barrel notes, cinnamon, anise, and overripe fruity notes, with a background of apple and pear. On the palate, it is complex, full-bodied, and rich in flavours. The acids support the sip well, and the ripe fruits and minerality are in beautiful harmony with the refined barrel aromas. Its aftertaste is long and creamy.
Tornai wines are available in several countries, for example in the United Kingdom at Astrum Cellars.
More about Tornai Winery