🍷 Bikavér
Also known as: Bull's Blood
Hungarian traditional term for a PDO red wine from at least three varieties, aged at least 12 months in wooden casks; used only with the PDOs Eger and Szekszárd.
Bikavér (literally "bull's blood") is a Hungarian traditional term protected in the EU register of traditional terms. According to the register, it is a red wine with a protected designation of origin made from at least three grape varieties and aged in wooden casks for at least 12 months. Further requirements can be set by local rules. The term may be used only with two PDOs: Eger and Szekszárd.
So Bikavér is neither a grape variety nor an appellation, but the name of a red blend within these two PDOs. On the label it appears together with the place name, as Egri Bikavér or Szekszárdi Bikavér. It is a still red wine and closely related to the idea of a blend.
Why it matters to you. The word Bikavér guarantees a red blend of three or more varieties from Eger or Szekszárd with at least a year in wood. Like any wine, it contains alcohol: according to the WHO, there is no safe level of alcohol consumption.
Facts
| EU category | Wine with a PDO (red) |
|---|---|
| Legal basis | traditional term, Reg. (EU) 1308/2013 Art. 112; eAmbrosia register |
| Country | Hungary |
| Region | PDOs Eger and Szekszárd |
| Cultivars | at least 3 varieties |
| Minimum maturation | 12 months in wooden casks |
How it connects to Wine
🍷 Bikavér → kind of → 🍷 Still wine → kind of → 🍷 Types of wine → kind of → 🍷 Wine
Links
- Part of
- 🍷 Still wine
- Where it applies
- 📍 Eger, 📍 Szekszárd
- Similar and different
- 🍷 Blend
Frequently asked questions
What does Bikavér on a label mean?
A PDO red wine from at least three varieties, aged at least 12 months in wooden casks.
Where can Bikavér be made?
Only within two Hungarian PDOs: Eger and Szekszárd.
Is it true that Bikavér is a single grape variety?
No. It is the name of a blend: under the EU register the wine must come from at least three varieties.
Similar
⚠️ Wine contains alcohol: adults only, drink in moderation. Wine usually contains sulphites; egg white or milk proteins are sometimes used for fining — important for allergies and for vegans.
Sources
- eAmbrosia – EU register of traditional terms: Bikavér
- EUR-Lex: Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013, Art. 112–113
- EUR-Lex: Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/33 (traditional terms)
- Wikidata: Q627858