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 light or thin, too peppery, too austere, too oaky or woody and 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.
Tinta Barroca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- A little less light or thin.
- Substantially less peppery.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less oaky or woody.
- A little less tart or sour-fruited.
Sagrantino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less light or thin.
- Substantially less peppery.
- Substantially less austere.
- A little less oaky or woody.
- A little less tart or sour-fruited.
Touriga Franca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- A little less light or thin.
- Substantially less peppery.
- Substantially less austere.
- A little less oaky or woody.
- A little less tart or sour-fruited.
Tinta Negra
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- A little less light or thin.
- Substantially less peppery.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less oaky or woody.
- A little less tart or sour-fruited.
Corvinone
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- A little less light or thin.
- Substantially less peppery.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less oaky or woody.
- A little less tart or sour-fruited.
Tinto Cão
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- About as light or thin as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less peppery.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less oaky or woody.
- About as tart or sour-fruited as the wine you started from.
Montefalco Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less light or thin.
- Substantially less peppery.
- Substantially less austere.
- A little less oaky or woody.
- A little less tart or sour-fruited.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
- A little less light or thin.
- Substantially less peppery.
- About as austere as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less oaky or woody.
- 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.
Tinta Barroca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less spicy.
Sagrantino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more oaky.
Touriga Franca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and less spicy.
Tinta Negra
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and lighter.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Tinta Barroca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less spicy.
Sagrantino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more oaky.
Touriga Franca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and less spicy.
Tinta Negra
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and lighter.
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.
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
Lambrusco Grasparossa scores closest to Egri Bikavér across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fresher.
Cabernet Franc
Both are made from cabernet franc.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and drier.
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.
Dornfelder
Dornfelder scores closest to Egri Bikavér across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and drier.
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 oaky, and less spicy.
Touriga Franca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, 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.
Montsant
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.
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 oaky, and lighter.
Barbera d’Alba
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.
Muscat Bailey A
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and drier.
Portugieser
Both are made from portugieser.
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 fuller and richer, and more oaky.
Montefalco Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
Touriga Franca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
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 oaky, and lighter.
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
Both are made from merlot, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and drier.
Rosso di Montalcino
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and drier.
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.
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 oaky, 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.
Montepulciano
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less spicy.
Merlot
Both are made from merlot, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
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 more oaky.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
Lambrusco Grasparossa scores closest to Egri Bikavér across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and lighter in alcohol.
Lambrusco
Lambrusco scores closest to Egri Bikavér across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and drier.
Tinta Barroca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and stiller.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Tinta Barroca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less spicy.
Sagrantino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more oaky.
Tinta Negra
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and lighter.
Touriga Franca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and less spicy.
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 less spicy.
Tinta Negra
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and lighter.
Corvinone
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and drier.
Tinto Cão
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
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 fruitier.
Sonoma 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.
Rioja
Both sit in the same style family.
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
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher.
Cabernet Franc
Both are made from cabernet franc.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter in alcohol.
Nebbiolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher.
Barolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, 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.
Tinta Barroca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less spicy.
Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more oaky.
Tinta Negra
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and lighter.
Corvinone
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
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 more oaky, and less spicy.
Cahors
Both are made from merlot, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher.
Barbaresco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher.
Cabernet Franc
Both are made from cabernet franc.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter in alcohol.
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 fuller and richer, and more oaky.
Cahors
Both are made from merlot, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher.
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.
Carignan
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher.
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 more oaky.
Primitivo
Primitivo scores closest to Egri Bikavér across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
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.
Zinfandel
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and spicier.
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 they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher.
Merlot
Both are made from merlot, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, 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 drier, and more oaky.
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, 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 more oaky.
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 more oaky.
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.
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.
Merlot
Both are made from merlot, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, 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 drier, and more oaky.
Grenache
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Tinta Barroca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less spicy.
Sagrantino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more oaky.
Touriga Franca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and less spicy.
Tinta Negra
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and lighter.
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.
Tinta Barroca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less spicy.
Sagrantino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more oaky.
Touriga Franca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and less spicy.
Tinta Negra
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and lighter.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Chianti Classico
Both are made from merlot, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher.
Barbaresco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher.
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.
Red Bordeaux
Both are made from merlot, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher.
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.