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.
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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.
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 peppery 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.
Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from merlot, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less peppery.
- A little less tart or sour-fruited.
Merlot
Both are made from merlot, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less peppery.
- A little less tart or sour-fruited.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
- Substantially less peppery.
- A little less tart or sour-fruited.
Montsant
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
- Substantially less peppery.
- A little less tart or sour-fruited.
Chianti Classico Riserva
Both are made from merlot, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.
- Substantially less peppery.
- A little less tart or sour-fruited.
Montepulciano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less peppery.
- A little less tart or sour-fruited.
Bonarda
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less peppery.
- A little less tart or sour-fruited.
Madiran
Both are made from cabernet franc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less peppery.
- 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.
Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from merlot, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and fruitier.
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.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and fruitier.
Montsant
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
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.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and fruitier.
Montsant
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and fruitier.
Montepulciano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and fruitier.
Bonarda
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 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 less spicy.
Grolleau
Grolleau scores closest to Egri Bikavér across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
Portugieser
Both are made from portugieser.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and less spicy.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from merlot, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and fruitier.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and fruitier.
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.
Montsant
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and fruitier.
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 less spicy, and fruitier.
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.
Barbera d’Asti
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and less spicy.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Madiran
Both are made from cabernet franc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and fruitier.
Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from merlot, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and fruitier.
Tannat
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and fruitier.
Montsant
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and fruitier.
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 less spicy.
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 spicy.
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 fresher, and less spicy.
Chianti
Both are made from merlot, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and less spicy.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
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.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and fruitier.
Montepulciano
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.
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 fruitier, and spicier.
Lambrusco
Lambrusco scores closest to Egri Bikavér across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and less spicy.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
Lambrusco Grasparossa scores closest to Egri Bikavér across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and less spicy.
Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from merlot, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be stiller, and less spicy.
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 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
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and fruitier.
Corvinone
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.
Corvinone
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and fruitier.
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.
Canaiolo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less spicy.
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 spicier, and less 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 spicier, and less oaky.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from merlot, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less spicy.
Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from merlot, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less spicy.
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 fresher, and less spicy.
Cabernet Franc
Both are made from cabernet franc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and less spicy.
Malbec
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and spicier.
Nebbiolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and spicier.
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.
Palomino Fino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and lighter.
Chasselas
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less spicy.
Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from merlot, and 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.
Barbaresco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and less spicy.
Cabernet Franc
Both are made from cabernet franc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and less spicy.
Cahors
Both are made from merlot, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and less spicy.
Canaiolo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less spicy.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
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 less spicy.
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 spicy.
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.
Carignan
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and less spicy.
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 less spicy.
Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from merlot.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less spicy.
Toro
Toro scores closest to Egri Bikavér across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less spicy.
Barbera d’Alba
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fresher.
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.
Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from merlot, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and fruitier.
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.
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 spicy.
Madiran
Both are made from cabernet franc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and fruitier.
Same grape, cooler climate
Typically fresher, lighter and more herbal, with lower alcohol.
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.
Blaufränkisch
Both are made from blaufränkisch, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and fresher.
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 less spicy.
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 less spicy.
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.
Sonoma 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 less spicy.
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.
Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from merlot, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and fruitier.
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.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, 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 spicier, and earthier.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Montsant
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and fruitier.
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 spicy.
Montepulciano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and fruitier.
Bonarda
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.
Montsant
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and fruitier.
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 spicy.
Montepulciano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and fruitier.
Bonarda
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
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, 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 spicier, and earthier.
Barbaresco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and less spicy.
Tempranillo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and earthier.
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.