Dealurile Transilvaniei

Styles

Principal grape varieties

Terroir

• The Transylvanian Plateau is subdivided into three distinct zones: the Someșan Plateau in the north, the Transylvanian Plain in the centre between the Someș and Mureș rivers, and the Târnave Plateau in the south between the Mureș and Olt rivers.
• The vineyards are generally situated on south-, south-east-, and south-west-facing slopes and in the valleys between the hills, where heat and light resources are available and shelter from winds and frosts is provided.
• The climate is moderately temperate-continental, with moderately warm summers, harsh and wet winters, but long and predominantly clear autumns, influenced by westerly air masses and by the arc of the Carpathians, which shields the region from cold air currents.
• Relative air humidity ranges between 60 and 80%, which is optimal for vine growth and fruit development, and viticulture is viable in areas with annual rainfall of between 500 and 700 mm.
• The dominant soil type is brown soil; regosols occur on steep slopes and rounded hillocks, while carbonate colluvial soils are found at the base of slopes and in shallow depressions.
• Landforms at mid-range elevations of 400–600 m predominate, while the hills of the plateau reach altitudes of between 250 and 800 m.

• Kazal Zsigmond records that in 1051 King Andrew I of Hungary sent Emperor Henry III the gift of "a very great quantity of wine," which could only have come from the native vineyards on the hills of Transylvania.
• Bishop Anton Verancsics (1504–1575), former secretary to King John Zápolya, described the hills of Transylvania covered with vineyards and their white, red, or rosé wines — strong or light, rough or sweet, of noble variety.
• In the celebrated and time-honoured vineyards of Ighiu, Șard, Țelna, Cricău, and Craiva, Fetească Albă, Pinot Gris, Traminer, Sauvignon, and Neuburger are cultivated, yielding fortified and velvety wines, off-dry or dry.

• These wines have the capacity to develop, through ageing, a bouquet that is difficult to equal.

Facts drawn from the specification's terroir-link section by automatic interpretation — see the source.

All appellations in Romania

Sources

• National product specification (PDF) — onvpv
• eAmbrosia register (EU) — File number PGI-RO-A0288
• Official trade body site — Oficiul Național al Viei și Produselor Vitivinicole (ONVPV) — IG Dealurile Transilvaniei