The town of Eger is located northeast of Budapest in notably mountainous country. Egri Bikavér, which means “bull’s blood from Eger,” is Hungary’s best-known red wine. According to legend, the wine got its name in the sixteenth century after the Eger was attacked by Turkish troops. Fortified with the local wine, the valiant Hungarian soldiers bravely defeated the attacking hoard. Thankfully, there’s no bull’s blood in the wine, which is made from KADARKA, Kékfrankos, and Médoc Noir (MERLOT) grapes, although other varieties can be used. At one time, Egri Bikavér was a very highly regarded, full-flavored, full-bodied (see BODY) wine. It’s now considered quite average, which some believe is the result of using less of the high-quality Kadarka grapes and more of the rather ordinary Kékfrankos variety.