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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.

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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.

I like…

But it’s a bit…

too tart or sour-fruited too light or thin too soft or too easy too oaky or woody too peppery too austere

Clear all

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 oaky or woody, too peppery and too soft or too easy.

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.

Cahors

Both are made from merlot, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

A little less tart or sour-fruited.
Substantially less oaky or woody.
Substantially less peppery.
A little less soft or too easy.

Madiran

Both are made from cabernet franc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

A little less tart or sour-fruited.
A little less oaky or woody.
Substantially less peppery.
Substantially less soft or too easy.

Dolcetto

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.

A little less tart or sour-fruited.
Substantially less oaky or woody.
Substantially less peppery.
A little less soft or too easy.

Carignan

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

A little less tart or sour-fruited.
Substantially less oaky or woody.
Substantially less peppery.
A little less soft or too easy.

Montsant

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.

A little less tart or sour-fruited.
Substantially less oaky or woody.
Substantially less peppery.
A little less soft or too easy.

Tannat

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

A little less tart or sour-fruited.
A little less oaky or woody.
Substantially less peppery.
Substantially less soft or too easy.

Chianti Classico Riserva

Both are made from merlot, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.

A little less tart or sour-fruited.
A little less oaky or woody.
Substantially less peppery.
A little less soft or too easy.

Montefalco Sagrantino

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

A little less tart or sour-fruited.
A little less oaky or woody.
Substantially less peppery.
Substantially less soft or too easy.

Closest overall

Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.

Closest matches

The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.

Cahors

Both are made from merlot, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and less tannic and softer.

Madiran

Both are made from cabernet franc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and less spicy.

Dolcetto

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less spicy.

Carignan

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and less tannic and softer.

Different grape, similar feel

Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.

Dolcetto

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less spicy.

Carignan

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and less tannic and softer.

Montsant

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less tannic and softer.

Tannat

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and less spicy.

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.

País

País scores closest to Egri Bikavér across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less tannic and softer.

Portugieser

Both are made from portugieser.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less tannic and softer.

Poulsard

Poulsard scores closest to Egri Bikavér across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less tannic and softer.

Tibouren

Tibouren scores closest to Egri Bikavér across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less tannic and softer.

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 less tannic and softer, and fresher.

Fer Servadou

Fer Servadou scores closest to Egri Bikavér across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less oaky.

Loire Cabernet Franc

Both are made from cabernet franc.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and fresher.

Cru Beaujolais

Both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and fresher.

Similar but fuller

Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.

Montsant

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less tannic and softer.

Negroamaro

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less tannic and softer.

Cahors

Both are made from merlot, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and less tannic and softer.

Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon

Both are made from merlot, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less tannic and softer.

Similar but less tannic

For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.

Tinta Negra

Tinta Negra scores closest to Egri Bikavér across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less oaky.

Portugieser

Both are made from portugieser.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and lighter.

Barbera d’Alba

Both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and fruitier.

Muscat Bailey A

Muscat Bailey A scores closest to Egri Bikavér across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and fresher.

Similar but more structured

More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.

Madiran

Both are made from cabernet franc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and less spicy.

Tannat

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and less spicy.

Montefalco Sagrantino

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and less spicy.

Sagrantino

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, 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 they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and less tannic and softer.

Baga

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more oaky.

Bairrada Baga

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more oaky.

Etna Rosso

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and less tannic and softer.

Similar but softer

Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.

Montepulciano d’Abruzzo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Dolcetto

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less spicy.

Montepulciano

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Alicante Bouschet

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less tannic and softer.

The sparkling version

Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.

Sparkling Shiraz

Sparkling Shiraz scores closest to Egri Bikavér across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and fruitier.

Lambrusco

Lambrusco scores closest to Egri Bikavér across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and fresher.

Lambrusco Grasparossa

Lambrusco Grasparossa scores closest to Egri Bikavér across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and fresher.

Cahors

Both are made from merlot, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and stiller.

Similar but sweeter

Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.

Sagrantino

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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 more oaky, and less spicy.

Tinto Cão

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less oaky.

Touriga Franca

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less tannic and softer.

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.

Cahors

Both are made from merlot, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and less tannic and softer.

Colorino

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less tannic and softer.

Dolcetto

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less spicy.

Carignan

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and less tannic and softer.

Similar but more oaky

Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.

Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon

Both are made from merlot.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fruitier.

Rioja

Both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Rioja Reserva

Both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Tempranillo

Tempranillo scores closest to Egri Bikavér across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Similar but more aromatic

More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.

Barbaresco

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more oaky.

Nebbiolo

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more oaky.

Barolo

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more oaky.

Cabernet Franc

Both are made from cabernet franc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and fresher.

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.

Madiran

Both are made from cabernet franc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and less spicy.

Dolcetto

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less spicy.

Carignan

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and less tannic and softer.

Montsant

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less tannic and softer.

Similar but more floral

Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.

Barbaresco

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more oaky.

Cahors

Both are made from merlot, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and less tannic and softer.

Cabernet Franc

Both are made from cabernet franc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and fresher.

Nebbiolo

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more oaky.

Similar but more savoury

Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.

Cahors

Both are made from merlot, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and less tannic and softer.

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 less tannic and softer.

Carignan

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and less tannic and softer.

Barbaresco

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more oaky.

Similar but fruitier

More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.

Toro

Toro scores closest to Egri Bikavér across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and rounder and creamier in texture.

California Cabernet Sauvignon

Both are made from merlot.

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less tannic and softer.

Touriga Nacional

Touriga Nacional scores closest to Egri Bikavér across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon

Both are made from merlot.

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more oaky.

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, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and less tannic and softer.

Madiran

Both are made from cabernet franc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, 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 fresher, and less tannic and softer.

Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon

Both are made from merlot, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less tannic and softer.

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 less tannic and softer, and fresher.

Loire Cabernet Franc

Both are made from cabernet franc.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and fresher.

Blaufränkisch

Both are made from blaufränkisch, and both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and less tannic and softer.

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 less tannic and softer.

Same grape, warmer climate

Typically riper, fuller and more generous in fruit, with higher alcohol.

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.

Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon

Both are made from merlot.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fruitier.

Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon

Both are made from merlot, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less tannic and softer.

Merlot

Both are made from merlot, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and rounder and creamier in texture.

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.

Barbaresco

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more oaky.

Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon

Both are made from merlot, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less tannic and softer.

Chianti Classico

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 less tannic and softer.

Montepulciano d’Abruzzo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Something more adventurous

Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.

Cahors

Both are made from merlot, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and less tannic and softer.

Madiran

Both are made from cabernet franc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and less spicy.

Dolcetto

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less spicy.

Carignan

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and less tannic and softer.

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.

Cahors

Both are made from merlot, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and less tannic and softer.

Madiran

Both are made from cabernet franc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and less spicy.

Dolcetto

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less spicy.

Carignan

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and less tannic and softer.

A step up

The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.

Barbaresco

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more oaky.

Chianti Classico

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 less tannic and softer.

Barolo

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more oaky.

Nebbiolo

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more oaky.

How these are chosen

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.