Dealurile Zarandului

Styles

Principal grape varieties

Terroir

• The defining natural factor is the hilly terrain of the Zarand Hills foothills, with skeletal soils rich in iron and trace elements.
• The vineyards benefit from a predominantly south-facing exposure, with some exceptions oriented south-west or south-east.
• The steep slopes, terraced for viticulture, break up and moderate the force of winds and cold air currents.
• The microclimate, with Mediterranean influences, brings early, wet springs and long, warm, dry autumns to the area.
• Eco-climatic data indicate a mean annual temperature of 11.2 °C, total annual rainfall of 644 mm, and an active temperature sum of 3,291 °C.
• Brown and chernozem soils are found in the communes of Șilindia, Satu Mic, Luguzău, Dud, and Agrișu Mare.

• The grape varieties grown in the area include Mustoasă de Măderat, Welschriesling, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon, assessed comparatively over the last four harvests.

• The red wines from the Zarand Hills have a rich colour intensity, with strong bluish reflections when young, shifting towards brick-red hues as they mature.
• As young wines, the palate is rough and tannic, but with ageing the wine develops into a balanced, vigorous, pleasant, full-bodied, and velvety expression.
• Wines produced on the skeletal, iron-rich soils display a bright red colour with deep ruby reflections, and are very full and expressive.

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

All appellations in Romania

Sources

• Specification (EUR-Lex, single document)
• eAmbrosia register (EU) — File number PGI-RO-A0031
• Official trade body site — Oficiul Național al Viei și Produselor Vitivinicole (ONVPV) — IG Dealurile Zarandului