At the height of summer, on the second Friday of July, Hungary hosts the bull's blood wine festival - Egri Bikavér. The holiday is dedicated to Saint Donatus, who patronized winemakers. The festival takes place in the town of Eger, and crowds of tourists gather to taste the thick red wine.
One of the many legends about the origin of the name of the wine "Bull's Blood" is associated with the dark times of Turkish rule in Hungary. Legend has it that during the siege of the Eger fortress in 1552, during a particularly fierce assault, the Hungarian military leader Istvan Dobo handed out red wine to emaciated soldiers to raise their strength and spirit. The Turks, who saw the soldiers with a crimson liquid flowing down their beards, decided that they were drinking bull's blood.
According to another legend, once in the area of the Eger Fortress, the pagans tortured Saint Eded, his blood flowed down the mountain slopes and was absorbed by the roots of the grapes, giving the fruit a rich color.
Those who drank "Bull's Blood" speak only superlatives about the product. The vineyards located on the mountain slopes have absorbed all the Hungarian sun. Eger winemakers are justly proud of the excellent aroma, color and taste of their drink. "Egri Bikaver" has repeatedly won various prizes at international exhibitions.
The bull's blood wine festival takes place annually in Eger and lasts three days. The city has a Mediterranean fiesta atmosphere. Many summer restaurants, eateries and cafes open on the picturesque Dobo Square. Small home-made taverns, wine cellars and inns will welcome everyone who wants to taste Hungarian wines.
Tourists, if they do not go over too much "Bull's Blood", will be able to see the famous Eger Fortress, which was stormed by the cruel Turks. The surroundings abound with Baroque monuments. Visitors to Hungary admire the picturesque landscapes with vineyards, which are decorated with heavy ruby bunches.
During the festival, Eger is an unusually cozy and hospitable town, its inhabitants warmly welcome tourists and, of course, treat them to excellent tart wine.
