Bikavér – Bull’s Blood

What kind of wine is Bull’s blood?

Bikavér (Bull’s Blood) is a traditional red wine blend of Hungary, which can be made in only two wine regions in Hungary. Eger in the north-east and Szekszárd in the south. Various legends revolve around its origins, the best known of which dates back to the Middle Ages, during the Turkish occupation (16th century).

Bull’s blood and The Siege of Eger (1552)

According to legend, the defenders of Eger Castle in 1552, during the Siege, were given red wine to increase their courage and strength against the Turkish invaders. The Turkish soldiers saw the red wine flowing down their opponents’ mouths and clothes, and since the Turks never drank wine, they thought it must be from Bull’s blood – the consumption of which the defenders of Eger Castle became so brave and determined.

Eventually the Turkish commanders decided to withdraw, so they left the fort of Eger and the surrounding hills on 17/Oct/1552. This triumph, and the poems, novels and paintings that were later created about it, form the basis of one of Hungary’s national prides. Bull’s Blood wine is directly and closely connected to it.

Where does the name, Bull’s blood, come from?

Contrary to legend, the truth is that the first written record of the Bull’s Blood, found in a poem by a poet from Szekszárd from the 1850s, was the first to call the local red wine the Bull’s Blood. Both in Eger and Szekszárd, the name refers to the wine’s deep red, ruby color.

What is the most famous Hungarian red wine blend?

Bikavér is the best-known Hungarian red wine blend for sure known on both the domestic and international markets. Unfortunately, during communist times (from the 1950s to the late 1980s), Bull’s Blood became a symbol of domestic low-quality quantitative mass production, which ruined the reputation of Bull’s Blood for about 50 years domestically and internationally too.

Revival or Bull’s blood

The quality revolution of Bull’s Blood started in the mid-2000s, launched by winemakers in Eger and Szekszárd, to completely rebuild the regional brand and put the brand back as a high-quality regional wine blend for the domestic and international markets. Producers like Gál Tibor, St. Andrea, Sebestyén Winery, Heimann Winery, Bukolyi Marcell, and Eszterbauer are improving Bull’s blood even further.

What is the base wine in Bull’s blood?

Bull’s blood is a red blend that can only be made in two wine regions in Hungary, in the north-eastern part of the country in Eger, and the southern part of the country in Szekszárd. Bull’s blood has been made in both regions for more than 150 years, and both wine regions have their own classification for blending. (There are three levels of regulation in Eger and two levels in Szekszárd). The most important common factor in both codes is the role of Kékfrankos, which provides the backbone of wines in both wine regions.

What does Bulls blood taste like?

Well-structured wines, with medium to fuller body, medium to high tannin and vivid acidity, the alcohol is generally on a medium to high level, the flavor intensity is medium. Elegant, complex wines, the flavors are a mixture of red and black berry fruits, black & rose pepper, combine with earthy (forest floor) character and oaky notes (depending on the classification level). The aging potential depends on the classification level, between 2-10 years. Great examples are Merengő and Hangács from St Andrea, Iván-völgyi Bikavér from Sebestyén Winery and Bukolyi Marcell’s Bull’s blood.

There is an argumentation about of the use of Syrah in Bikavér blend. Some says that it overrules the blend if it is added even is small quantities. Personally we believe that it fits well and ads more complexity, but the too high share should be avoided.

Check out our Bull’s blood’s and our 3 and 6 bottles selections.

Read further about Eger’s Bull blood and Szerkszárd’s Bull’s blood.

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Bikavér (Bull’s Blood, Stierblut) wines on Vinotek.hu

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(On the featured photo: Walls of Eger Fort nowdays by Vinotek.hu)

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