Târnave

Styles

Principal grape varieties

Terroir

• The appellation lies within the hydrographic basin of the Târnava Mică and Târnava Mare rivers, between latitudes 45°57' and 46°32' north.
• The terrain is hilly, with a general south-westerly aspect; at elevations between 250–270 m and 400–450 m the slope gradient is 5–20%, allowing mechanisation of viticultural operations.
• The soils most favourable to the vine are eutric cambisols and typical to luvic illuvial clay-brown soils, owing to their medium texture, moderate acidity, and humus content.
• The climate is moderately temperate-continental, with moderately warm summers, harsh and wet winters, and long, predominantly sunny autumns, sheltered by the Carpathian arc from cold north-easterly and easterly air currents.
• During the ripening period, daytime temperatures average around 22°C and night-time temperatures around 12°C; the lower temperatures of the harvest period, ranging from 5–10°C, slow oxidation-reduction and enzymatic processes, helping to preserve the varieties' characteristic aromas.

• A map in the Chorographia Transylvaniae, produced by Ioan Honterus in 1532, attests to the ancient reputation of the Târnave appellation.
• In 1173, during the reign of Doge Sebastian Ziani, wines from Transylvania enjoyed a fine reputation at the court of Venice and were highly regarded by contemporaries.

• The wines of the Târnave appellation are characterised by fruitiness, freshness, and a somewhat elevated acidity, being refined wines with a wealth of aromas that are typical and variety-specific.
• Traminer is a refined wine with a characteristic, discreet, and persistently floral nose, most often dry or off-dry, while Fetească Regală displays a modest alcoholic strength and good acidity, with a finesse worthy of appreciation.

• The occurrence of foggy days at the end of summer and on nearly one-third of autumn days leads to a slow ripening process in the grapes, preserving their aromas and consistently high acidity — qualities that translate favourably into the character of the wines produced.

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 PDO-RO-A0365
• Official trade body site — Oficiul Național al Viei și Produselor Vitivinicole (ONVPV) — DOC Târnave