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, too austere and too peppery.
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.
Touriga Franca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- A little less tart or sour-fruited.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less peppery.
Tinta Barroca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- A little less tart or sour-fruited.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less peppery.
Sagrantino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- A little less tart or sour-fruited.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less peppery.
Tinta Negra
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- A little less tart or sour-fruited.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less peppery.
Tinto Cão
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- About as tart or sour-fruited as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less peppery.
Corvinone
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- A little less tart or sour-fruited.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less peppery.
Rondinella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- A little less tart or sour-fruited.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less peppery.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from merlot, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- A little less tart or sour-fruited.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less peppery.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
Touriga Franca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and fruitier.
Tinta Barroca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and fruitier.
Sagrantino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and fruitier.
Tinta Negra
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and fruitier.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Touriga Franca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and fruitier.
Tinta Barroca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and fruitier.
Sagrantino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and fruitier.
Tinta Negra
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and fruitier.
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 drier.
Grolleau
Grolleau scores closest to Egri Bikavér across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and drier.
País
País scores closest to Egri Bikavér across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and drier.
Tibouren
Tibouren 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
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and less spicy.
Grolleau
Grolleau scores closest to Egri Bikavér across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and drier.
Portugieser
Both are made from portugieser.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and drier.
Dornfelder
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Tinta Barroca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and fruitier.
Touriga Franca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and fruitier.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from merlot, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and drier.
Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and less spicy.
Similar but less tannic
For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.
Tinta Negra
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and fruitier.
Portugieser
Both are made from portugieser.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and drier.
Muscat Bailey A
Muscat Bailey A scores closest to Egri Bikavér across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher.
Grolleau
Grolleau scores closest to Egri Bikavér across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and drier.
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 less spicy, and fruitier.
Touriga Franca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and fruitier.
Montefalco Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less spicy.
Tinto Cão
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and less spicy.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Chianti Classico
Both are made from merlot, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and drier.
Chianti Classico Riserva
Both are made from merlot, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher.
Chianti
Both are made from merlot, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and drier.
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Tinta Barroca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and fruitier.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from merlot, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and drier.
Merlot
Both are made from merlot, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less spicy.
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 spicier.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and less spicy.
Lambrusco
Lambrusco scores closest to Egri Bikavér across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and drier.
Franciacorta
Franciacorta scores closest to Egri Bikavér across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher.
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 less spicy, and fruitier.
Tinta Barroca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and fruitier.
Tinta Negra
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and fruitier.
Touriga Franca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and fruitier.
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
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and fruitier.
Tinta Negra
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and fruitier.
Tinto Cão
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and less spicy.
Corvinone
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less spicy.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from merlot, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and drier.
Pinotage
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.
Rioja
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and spicier.
Rioja Reserva
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and spicier.
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 fresher.
Cabernet Franc
Both are made from cabernet franc.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher.
Nebbiolo
Nebbiolo scores closest to Egri Bikavér across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher.
Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.
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 less spicy, and lighter.
Tinta Barroca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and fruitier.
Sagrantino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and fruitier.
Tinta Negra
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and fruitier.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Touriga Franca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and fruitier.
Cabernet Franc
Both are made from cabernet franc.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher.
Barbaresco
Barbaresco scores closest to Egri Bikavér across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher.
Touriga Nacional
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fuller and richer.
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 fruitier, and less spicy.
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 drier, and fresher.
Tinta Negra
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less spicy.
Montefalco Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.
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 drier.
Touriga Nacional
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fuller and richer.
Primitivo
Primitivo scores closest to Egri Bikavér across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and drier.
Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from merlot.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and drier.
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.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from merlot, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and drier.
Merlot
Both are made from merlot, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.
Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from merlot, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less spicy.
Chianti Classico Riserva
Both are made from merlot, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher.
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 drier, and fresher.
Loire Cabernet Franc
Both are made from cabernet franc.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher.
Blaufränkisch
Both are made from blaufränkisch, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and spicier.
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 drier, and fresher.
Same grape, warmer climate
Typically riper, fuller and more generous in fruit, with higher alcohol.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from merlot, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and drier.
Merlot
Both are made from merlot, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.
Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from merlot.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.
Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from merlot, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.
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.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from merlot, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and drier.
Merlot
Both are made from merlot, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.
Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from merlot, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less spicy.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less spicy.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Touriga Franca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and fruitier.
Tinta Barroca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and fruitier.
Sagrantino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and fruitier.
Tinta Negra
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and fruitier.
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.
Touriga Franca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and fruitier.
Tinta Barroca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and fruitier.
Sagrantino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and fruitier.
Tinta Negra
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and fruitier.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Rioja
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and spicier.
Rioja Reserva
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and spicier.
Barbaresco
Barbaresco scores closest to Egri Bikavér across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher.
Tempranillo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and spicier.
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.