If you like this, try…
Wines like Egri Bikavér
Hungary’s "Bull’s Blood": a blended red from Eger, now governed by rules requiring a minimum number of varieties. Below: what to try next, grouped by the direction you want to travel.
Refine
What do you like about Egri Bikavér?
Optional — the results below already work without it. But “I like Malbec” is at least four different preferences wearing one name, and saying which one you mean changes the answer substantially. Only qualities this wine actually has are offered.
What these words mean
- The bright red fruit
- Raspberry, redcurrant, sour cherry — lighter and sharper than dark fruit, usually from a cooler place or an earlier picking.
- How light it is
- A wine you can drink without it feeling like a commitment. Usually lower in alcohol as well as lighter in the mouth.
- How smooth and soft it is
- Low tannin. Tannin is the drying, gum-gripping sensation in red wine — like strong tea. A smooth red has little of it.
- The vanilla and oak
- Vanilla, toast, coconut, sweet spice, sometimes smoke. It comes from the barrel rather than the grape, which is why the same grape can taste completely different with and without it.
- The spice
- Black pepper, clove, cinnamon. Some of it is the grape — the pepper in Syrah is a measured compound called rotundone — and some is the barrel.
- That it is properly dry
- No perceptible sugar at all. Almost all red wine is dry and a good deal of white wine is not, which is why this is a more useful thing to say about a white than about a red.
Looking for something moving away from too austere, too light or thin and too oaky or woody.
Based on what you said
Ranked against the qualities you named rather than against the wine as a whole. The directions below are refined the same way.
Sagrantino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less light or thin.
- A little less oaky or woody.
Tinta Barroca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less austere.
- A little less light or thin.
- Substantially less oaky or woody.
Touriga Nacional
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less light or thin.
- About as oaky or woody as the wine you started from.
Montefalco Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less light or thin.
- A little less oaky or woody.
Primitivo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less light or thin.
- About as oaky or woody as the wine you started from.
Valpolicella Ripasso
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
- Substantially less austere.
- A little less light or thin.
- A little less oaky or woody.
Tinta Negra
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less austere.
- A little less light or thin.
- Substantially less oaky or woody.
Touriga Franca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less austere.
- A little less light or thin.
- A little less oaky or woody.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
Sagrantino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and less spicy.
Tinta Barroca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less oaky.
Touriga Nacional
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and lighter in alcohol.
Montefalco Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Sagrantino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and less spicy.
Tinta Barroca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less oaky.
Touriga Nacional
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and lighter in alcohol.
Montefalco Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
Change the structure
Same idea, different weight, grip or freshness.
Similar but lighter
Keeps the character but reduces weight, alcohol and density in the mouth.
Portugieser
Both are made from portugieser.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Grolleau
Grolleau scores closest to Egri Bikavér across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Valpolicella
Valpolicella scores closest to Egri Bikavér across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and drier.
Beaujolais
Beaujolais scores closest to Egri Bikavér across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and drier.
Similar but lower in alcohol
Holds the character and the weight where it can, and moves specifically on strength. Note that below about 11% the choices narrow sharply, and below 5% they are mostly a different category rather than a lighter version of the same one.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
Lambrusco Grasparossa scores closest to Egri Bikavér across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and lighter.
Muscat Bailey A
Muscat Bailey A scores closest to Egri Bikavér across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and lighter.
Loire Cabernet Franc
Both are made from cabernet franc.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and lighter.
Dornfelder
Dornfelder scores closest to Egri Bikavér across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and lighter.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Touriga Nacional
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and lighter in alcohol.
Sagrantino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and less spicy.
Primitivo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
Tinta Barroca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less oaky.
Similar but less tannic
For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.
Tinta Negra
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less oaky.
Barbera d’Alba
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Muscat Bailey A
Muscat Bailey A scores closest to Egri Bikavér across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and drier.
Barbera d’Asti
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Sagrantino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and less spicy.
Touriga Nacional
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and lighter in alcohol.
Montefalco Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
Touriga Franca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more oaky.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Rosso di Montalcino
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Saperavi
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Chianti Classico
Both are made from merlot, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Graciano
Graciano scores closest to Egri Bikavér across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Tinta Barroca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less oaky.
Primitivo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
Primitivo di Manduria
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and spicier.
Châteauneuf-du-Pape
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and spicier.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
Sparkling Shiraz
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more oaky.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
Lambrusco Grasparossa scores closest to Egri Bikavér across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Lambrusco
Lambrusco scores closest to Egri Bikavér across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and drier.
Sagrantino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stiller, and more oaky.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Sagrantino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and less spicy.
Tinta Barroca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less oaky.
Touriga Nacional
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and lighter in alcohol.
Tinta Negra
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less oaky.
Change the flavour
Same shape, different aromatic character.
Similar but less oaky
One of the commonest requests in wine. Strips oak influence while holding grape character and weight.
Tinta Barroca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and lighter.
Tinta Negra
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and lighter.
Corvinone
Corvinone scores closest to Egri Bikavér across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and lighter.
Tinto Cão
Tinto Cão scores closest to Egri Bikavér across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and lighter.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from merlot.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and drier.
Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from merlot.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and drier.
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from merlot.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and drier.
Pinotage
Pinotage scores closest to Egri Bikavér across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and drier.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Barbaresco
Barbaresco scores closest to Egri Bikavér across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Morgon
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Nebbiolo
Nebbiolo scores closest to Egri Bikavér across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Barolo
Barolo scores closest to Egri Bikavér across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Similar but more restrained
For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.
Nothing in WineHQ's catalogue makes this move meaningfully from here. These are the closest wines otherwise, but do not expect them to deliver what you asked for — the honest answer is that this style does not have a good neighbour in that direction.
Sagrantino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and less spicy.
Tinta Barroca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less oaky.
Montefalco Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
Primitivo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Touriga Nacional
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and lighter in alcohol.
Touriga Franca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more oaky.
Cahors
Both are made from merlot.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Malbec
Malbec scores closest to Egri Bikavér across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Sagrantino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and less spicy.
Montefalco Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
Cahors
Both are made from merlot.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Saperavi
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Primitivo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
Touriga Nacional
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and lighter in alcohol.
Primitivo di Manduria
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and spicier.
Zinfandel
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Change the place
Keep the grape, move it somewhere else.
Same grape, somewhere else
Holds the variety constant and changes the place, which is often a bigger change than swapping the grape.
Cahors
Both are made from merlot.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Madiran
Both are made from cabernet franc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
Washington Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from merlot, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from merlot.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and drier.
Same grape, cooler climate
Typically fresher, lighter and more herbal, with lower alcohol.
Chianti
Both are made from merlot, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and drier.
Loire Cabernet Franc
Both are made from cabernet franc.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and drier.
Blaufränkisch
Both are made from blaufränkisch, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and drier.
Chianti Classico
Both are made from merlot, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Same grape, warmer climate
Typically riper, fuller and more generous in fruit, with higher alcohol.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from merlot.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and lighter.
Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from merlot, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from merlot, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
Washington Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from merlot, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
Change the mood
Safer, stranger, cheaper or more serious.
A safe next step
Well-known wines that are widely available and unlikely to surprise anyone.
Primitivo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
Amarone della Valpolicella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and spicier.
Châteauneuf-du-Pape
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and spicier.
Grenache
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Sagrantino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and less spicy.
Tinta Barroca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less oaky.
Touriga Nacional
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and lighter in alcohol.
Montefalco Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
A better-value alternative
Wines that occupy similar sensory territory from regions carrying less price premium. WineHQ does not hold live prices, so this reasons from regional reputation and demand rather than from a price feed — treat it as a lead, not a quote.
Sagrantino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and less spicy.
Tinta Barroca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less oaky.
Touriga Nacional
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and lighter in alcohol.
Montefalco Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Amarone della Valpolicella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and spicier.
Châteauneuf-du-Pape
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and spicier.
Priorat
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
Chianti Classico
Both are made from merlot, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Each suggestion is scored across sixteen taste dimensions, weighted so that structure matters more than flavour, and adjusted for whether the wine actually moves in the direction you asked for. Curated links from an editor carry extra weight — but only when the editor tagged them for this direction. Nothing here is a black box; see the taste model for the full method.