A Hungarian variety, which is connected to the names of Dr József Darab Csizmazia and László Berznai. It is a crossing of Bikavér 8 (teinturier x Kadarka) and Gárdonyi Géza (Menoire x Csabagyöngye). The crossing's original name was Eger 208 and Bikavér 13. It was created in 1964 and authorised by the state in 1985.
Originally, the name Agria was considered for the variety, as this was the old Latin name of the city of Eger, but this met with obstacles. Thus, Turán was chosen, which was apparently the mythical name of a plain beyond the Oxus River (now Amu-darja) to the north of the settled Iranian peoples.
It is grown on 180 hectares in Hungary, mainly in its home of Eger, where it accounts for 2% of the plantings, whereas there are also 48 hectares in the Mátra wine district.
In Eger, it is often used in the Bikavér blends, although Turán may not account for more than 10% of the assemblage.
In the Mátra, it is often produced as a monovarietal, resulting in really enticing, unique, characterful wines. In this case, it is very deep in colour, purple when young, and characterised by ripe, almost sweet black and dark berry fruit, rosehip and delicate perfumed floral and rose notes. It is full-bodied with high alcohol and prominent tannins, yet also retains a sense of freshness.
It is popular in blends thanks to its deep colour, black berry fruit and delicate floral perfume. It complements the peculiarities of other varieties with its deep colour, spicy notes, aromatic rose and fresh, light fruit.
It also makes appealing wines in its own right. The most striking things are, of course, its deep colour and pronounced tannins but its wide range of aromatics also enable it to create sometimes truly unique monovarietal wines.