📍 Târnave
The valleys of the two Târnava rivers.
Târnave is a wine zone in central Romania, on the Transylvanian Plateau, in the valleys of two rivers, the Târnava Mare and the Târnava Mică. It is part of the Transylvanian Plateau. Vineyards lie on hills of 200 to 500 metres, on south-facing slopes. The climate is cool and continental, so wines are fresh and aromatic.
The main grapes are white: Fetească Regală (very characteristic of Romania), as well as Riesling, Muscat Ottonel, Sauvignon Blanc and Traminer. Wines are usually dry or off-dry, light, with high acidity. The cool climate also suits sparkling wine, which the zone makes by the traditional method.
The area is known for the Jidvei estate, one of the largest in Romania. Târnave wines pair well with fish, poultry and cheese.
Târnave is one of the best examples of Romanian white wine. Historic towns of Transylvania lie nearby. Dealu Mare, Romania's main red zone, lies not far away, but Târnave remains territory for whites and sparkling wine. Fetească Regală goes well with fish, poultry, soft cheese and appetisers. Târnave whites are best drunk young, within two or three years of harvest.
How it connects to Wine
📍 Târnave ← main grape of ← 🍇 Riesling → kind of → 🍇 Grape varieties → kind of → 🍷 Wine
Links
- Part of
- 📍 Transylvanian Plateau
- Related to
- 📜 Jidvei, 🥃 Vinars Târnave, 🍷 Still wine, 🍷 Sparkling wine
- Grapes
- 🍇 Fetească, 🍇 Fetească Regală, 🍇 Sauvignon Blanc
- Main grapes
- 🍇 Fetească Regală, 🍇 Riesling, 🍇 Muscat Ottonel, 🍇 Sauvignon Blanc, 🍇 Traminer, 🍇 Fetească
- Wines
- 🍷 White wine
Frequently asked questions
Where is Târnave?
In central Romania, on the Transylvanian Plateau, in the valleys of the Târnava Mare and Târnava Mică.
Which grapes are key in Târnave?
Fetească Regală, Riesling, Muscat Ottonel, Sauvignon Blanc and Traminer.
What wines are made in Târnave?
Dry and off-dry whites, plus sparkling wines.
What to read next
- 📜 Jidvei — White and sparkling wines of the Târnava River valley in Transylvania.
- 🍇 Fetească — Shared name of three distinct Romanian grape varieties: Fetească Albă, Regală and Neagră; together over 28,000 ha in Romania (2015).
- 🥃 Vinars Târnave — Romanian wine spirit with an EU GI from the Jidvei centre in Transylvania: Fetească Regală and Riesling, double distilled, from 37.5% vol.
- 🍷 White wine — Wine made from grape juice without the skins; it can come from pale and even dark berries.
- 🍷 Still wine — Wine without noticeable bubbles: EU category 1, at least 8.5–9 % actual alcohol and no more than 15 % total; red, white, rosé or orange.
Similar
📍 Lechința · 📍 Sebeș-Apold · 📍 Alba Iulia · 📍 Aiud · 📜 Jidvei · 📜 Etyek-Buda / Etyek-Budai
⚠️ Wine contains alcohol: adults only, drink in moderation. Wine usually contains sulphites; egg white or milk proteins are sometimes used for fining — important for allergies and for vegans.
What it includes
Sources
- ONVPV
- eAmbrosia – EU geographical indications register
- eAmbrosia – EU geographical indications register