Winery · Eger

Eger Bikavér Bull's Blood

Name: Eger Bikavér Bull's Blood
Address: Eger, HU

Egri Bikavér's legend: during the 1552 Siege of Eger, Turkish soldiers thought the Hungarians drank bull's blood for strength—Eger is one of only 2 regions allowed to use "Bikavér" on the label, now crafted in 3 quality tiers.

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TourEger Bikavér Bull's BloodIn 1552, the citizens of Eger held a castle against 40,000 Ottoman soldiers. The legend says their beards were stained red with wine, terrifying the Turks into believing they drank bull's blood. The legend was invented 300 years later — red grapes didn't exist in Hungary during the siege. The Szépasszonyvolgyi — Valley of Beautiful Women — holds 40+ cellars carved into tuff rock, each pouring Bikavér for €2.50 a glass with no reservation needed. St. Andrea's Grand Superior scored 97 at Decanter. The wine was communist-era supermarket plonk in 1990.