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 tart or sour-fruited.
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.
Rioja
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
- Substantially less tart or sour-fruited.
Rioja Reserva
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
- Substantially less tart or sour-fruited.
Rioja Gran Reserva
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
- Substantially less tart or sour-fruited.
Tempranillo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less tart or sour-fruited.
Mourvèdre
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less tart or sour-fruited.
Merlot
Both are made from merlot, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- A little less tart or sour-fruited.
Rioja Crianza
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
- A little less tart or sour-fruited.
Nero d’Avola
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
- A little less tart or sour-fruited.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
Rioja
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and more tannic and structured.
Rioja Reserva
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and more oaky.
Rioja Gran Reserva
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and more savoury.
Tempranillo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and softer and rounder.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Rioja
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and more tannic and structured.
Rioja Reserva
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and more oaky.
Rioja Gran Reserva
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and more savoury.
Tempranillo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and softer and rounder.
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 fresher.
País
País scores closest to Egri Bikavér across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
Tibouren
Tibouren scores closest to Egri Bikavér across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
Grolleau
Grolleau scores closest to Egri Bikavér across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
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.
Cabernet Franc
Both are made from cabernet franc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and lighter.
Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and lighter.
Grolleau
Grolleau scores closest to Egri Bikavér across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
Red Burgundy
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and lighter.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Mourvèdre
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and softer and rounder.
Rioja
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and more tannic and structured.
Rioja Gran Reserva
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and more savoury.
Rioja Reserva
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and more 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 fruitier, and lighter.
Barbera d’Alba
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fresher.
Portugieser
Both are made from portugieser.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
Marsanne
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and less tannic and softer.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Rioja
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and more oaky.
Rioja Reserva
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and more oaky.
Tempranillo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and softer and rounder.
Mourvèdre
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and softer and rounder.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Chianti Classico Riserva
Both are made from merlot, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and earthier.
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and less spicy.
Sangiovese
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more herbal and green.
Aglianico
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more tannic and structured.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Mourvèdre
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and more tannic and structured.
Tempranillo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and more tannic and structured.
Merlot
Both are made from merlot, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more herbal and green.
Alentejo red
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
Sparkling Shiraz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and sweeter.
Lambrusco
Lambrusco scores closest to Egri Bikavér across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fruitier.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
Lambrusco Grasparossa scores closest to Egri Bikavér across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fruitier.
Rioja
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be stiller, and earthier.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Touriga Franca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and sweeter.
Tinta Barroca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and sweeter.
Tawny Port
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and sweeter.
Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fuller and richer.
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.
Nero di Troia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more tannic and structured.
Colorino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less spicy.
Rondinella
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less spicy.
Trincadeira
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more herbal and green.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Rioja
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and earthier.
Rioja Reserva
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and earthier.
Rioja Gran Reserva
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and more savoury.
Tempranillo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and earthier.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Malbec
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and softer and rounder.
Syrah
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and earthier.
Nebbiolo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more aromatic.
Barolo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more aromatic.
Similar but more restrained
For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.
Sémillon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and sweeter.
Rioja
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and earthier.
Rioja Reserva
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and earthier.
Rioja Gran Reserva
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and earthier.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Malbec
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and softer and rounder.
Syrah
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less floral.
Nebbiolo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more tannic and structured.
Barolo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more tannic and structured.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Mourvèdre
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and softer and rounder.
Rioja
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and more tannic and structured.
Rioja Gran Reserva
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and more savoury.
Rioja Reserva
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and more oaky.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from merlot.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and broader and softer.
Zinfandel
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and sweeter.
Primitivo
Primitivo scores closest to Egri Bikavér across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and broader and softer.
Primitivo di Manduria
Primitivo di Manduria scores closest to Egri Bikavér across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and broader and softer.
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.
Merlot
Both are made from merlot, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and softer and rounder.
Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from merlot, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more herbal and green.
Super Tuscan
Both are made from merlot, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fuller and richer.
Madiran
Both are made from cabernet franc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fuller and richer.
Same grape, cooler climate
Typically fresher, lighter and more herbal, with lower alcohol.
Blaufränkisch
Both are made from blaufränkisch, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and lighter.
Chianti
Both are made from merlot, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and lighter.
Loire Cabernet Franc
Both are made from cabernet franc.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and lighter.
Chianti Classico Riserva
Both are made from merlot, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and earthier.
Same grape, warmer climate
Typically riper, fuller and more generous in fruit, with higher alcohol.
Merlot
Both are made from merlot, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more herbal and green.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from merlot, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and broader and softer.
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from merlot, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fuller and richer.
Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from merlot, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more herbal and green.
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.
Rioja
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and more tannic and structured.
Rioja Reserva
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and more oaky.
Rioja Gran Reserva
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and more savoury.
Tempranillo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and softer and rounder.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Mourvèdre
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and softer and rounder.
Nero d’Avola
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Alentejo red
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and softer and rounder.
Nemea Agiorgitiko
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and softer and rounder.
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.
Mourvèdre
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and softer and rounder.
Nero d’Avola
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Alentejo red
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and softer and rounder.
Nemea Agiorgitiko
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and softer and rounder.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Rioja
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and more tannic and structured.
Rioja Gran Reserva
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and more oaky.
Rioja Reserva
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and more oaky.
Tempranillo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and softer and rounder.
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.