Travels in Transylvania Wine Country would not be complete without including Jidvei Vineyard and its wineries in DOC Târnave. For it was here, we toured one of the largest vineyards in Europe, visited two of its wineries, and dined at an historical castle. How cool is that?
Welcome to Jidvei © Spaswinefood
The family-owned Jidvei Group has four wineries located in Jidvei, Blaj, Bălcaciu and Tăuni, in the rolling foothills of the Carpathian Mountains of Transylvania. Transylvania, one of the world’s great wine regions, is situated in the middle of Romania. This historical area has deep cultural history, rich beauty, and of course, wine. It is an important wine making region dating back more than 6,000 years. In fact this area was mentioned by Herodotus around 600 BC. We had come to learn about Jidvei, the largest wine producer in Transylvania.
Jidvei Vineyard © Spaswinefood
We began our vine-filled adventure in the vineyard. Next, we toured two of its wineries before heading to the historic castle for lunch and a wine tasting.
Târnave Wine Region
Jidvei wineries are located in the Târnave Wine Region. This wine region is just north of Sibiu, surrounded by the Carpathian Mountains, and is centered on Jidvei Commune, Alba County. Some have compared the beauty of the Carpathian Mountains, and the Târnave River valley to Tuscany. There are around 6500 hectares under vine, with about half of which is classified as DOC vineyard. The climate is continental, with very hot summers and very cold, snowy winters. This region's cool climate is due to its altitude (about 300 meters above sea level), and there is a high humidity from the nearby rivers. As a result, cool, fruity white wines with very good acidity do very well here. The DOC is also believed to be the birthplace of Fetească Regală. The regions is also significant for the local, pre-phylloxera Fetească Albă grown here. Both wines are noted for their floral fruitiness, minerality, freshness and high acidity.
On our way to the vineyard we passed through the most beautiful pastoral landscape.
#Winelovers off to Jidvei, Alba County © Spaswinefood
Cutting Hay, Alba County © Spaswinefood
Shepherd Guarding the Sheep, Alba County © Spaswinefood
For our first activity included touring a vineyard where we adopted a Fetească Albă vine.
Late Spring Vines, Jidvei © Spaswinefood
This hilltop vineyard presented quite stunning views in all directions.
Jidvei Vineyard © Spaswinefood
The vines were thriving in the early June sunshine.
Fetească Albă, Jidvei © Spaswinefood
A Closer Look at Fetească Albă © Spaswinefood
Jidvei grapes come from the Târnave DOC and the Târnave Vineyard, which lies within a basin formed by the Târnave Mică and Târnave Mare rivers. The Târnave Valley is particularly known for its fresh white wines, especially around the areas of Blaj and Jidevi where well respected but largely commercial wines being made.
Jidvei Wineries
Next, we were off to our first Jidvei winery stop at Crama Tăuni.
Crama Tăuni © Spaswinefood
It was the perfect day to tour a winery, and this winery has stunning views in all directions.
Taking in the Views, Crama Tăuni (Jidvei Winery) © Spaswinefood We had the opportunity to take in the views
Top Views, Jidvei's Crama Tăuni © Spaswinefood
On our way to the second winery we continued to pass through relaxing, pastoral landscape
The Charming Pastoral Landscape of Alba County © Spaswinefood
Upon arrival at the second winery, a Jidvei winery specializing in sparkling wines we took a brief tour. Bălcaciu Winery produces sparkling wines and wine distillates.
Touring Jidvei 's Sparkling Wine Winery © Spaswinefood
Jidvei wineries have been modernized by EU funds.
Acknowledging EU Contributions, Jidvei © Spaswinefood
We viewed the sparkling wine process. Besides viewing the tanks, we saw sparkling wines racked for riddling, and some wines boxed for shipment.
Racked Sparkling Rosé Wines © Spaswinefood
Racked Sparkling Wines © Spaswinefood
Jidvei wine production is large, and hence they have their own trucks to transport the wines to market. Over 50 estate wines are produced by state-of-the-art Jidvei wineries.
Jidvei Truck © Spaswinefood
After vine-filled morning we continued our travels through the Transylvania landscape.
Off to the Castle, Alba County © Spaswinefood
Off to the Bethlen-Haller Castle for Lunch and Wine Tasting
Upon arrival at Bethlen-Haller Castle there was some castle history to explore.
Arriving at Castle Bethlen-Haller © Spaswinefood
Castle Bethlen-Haller © Spaswinefood
During the communist period, Bethlen-Haller Castle went downhill. After 1989, it was claimed and returned to the Haller family. Later the castle was bought by Necşulescu family, who restored it. The castle became a symbol of Jidvei, with the family opening it to the public in 2020.
We ate lunch and tasted wines at the historic Bethlen-Haller Castle.
Ready for Lunch with Jidvei Wines © Spaswinefood
We tasted the following wines during lunch:
Owner's Choice Maria, Fetească Alba 2021
Owner's Choice Maria, Fetească Alba 2021 © Spaswinefood
Mysterium (Pinot Noir, Chardonnay & Fetească Alba)
Mysterium (Pinot Noir, Chardonnay & Fetească Alba) © Spaswinefood
Jidvei Whites © Spaswinefood
Tezaur (Muscat Ottonel & Fetească Regală) 2021
Tezaur (Muscat Ottonel & Fetească Regală) 2021 © Spaswinefood
There was one more white, this time a Demi-Sec.
New Plus Ultra Sauvignon Blanc, Demi-Sec
New Plus Ultra Sauvignon Blanc, Demi-Sec © Spaswinefood
Next, some rosé wines were poured.
After the Whites: Rosé Time © Spaswinefood
The rosé wines were a Mysterium (Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir & Syrah) and a Vin Spumant Rosé Brut.
Rosé Time: Mysterium (left) & Vin Spumant Rosé Brut (right) © Spaswinefood
There was a sweet wine in our wine tasting; in this case 30g/l of sugar.
Castel Muscat Ottonel 2017
Castel Muscat Ottonel 2017 © Spaswinefood
Yes, dining at the castle with wines was fabulous! It is not every day one gets to dine at an historical castle.
Dining at the Castle © Spaswinefood
While Jidvei is know for its white and sparkling wines however, amongst the wines we tasted there was one delicious red wine. It was however from the Murfaltar DOC.
Jidvei Red in the Glass © Spaswinefood
Navigo, Compas Fetească Neagră 2019
Navigo, Compas Fetească Neagră 2019 © Spaswinefood
Navigo, Compas Fetească Neagră, Murfaltar DOC 2019 (back label) © Spaswinefood
As always at the end of lunch there was dessert.
Yes, Of Course There Was Dessert © Spaswinefood
After a very delicious lunch we toured the castle. Next to the castle is a hotel with a restaurant. Enotourist would find this setting inviting.
Jidvei Hotel and Restaurant © Spaswinefood
Besides the hotel and restaurant there is a nearby town to explore. This is a perfect place to spend some time.
Alba County Village Life © Spaswinefood
I could imagine taking a few days to explore Alba County. Earlier we explored the historic Alba lulia.
Near by Village © Spaswinefood
What a great day it was! Jidvei is a must in Transylvania Wine Country. That night we stayed in Ciumbrud, and later we traveled onto Medias, an old wine-trade town. For sure Romania is for winelovers therefore I invite you to join me in my travels in Romania and elsewhere at Wine Travels with Dr. Sharon and at Spaswinefood on Twitter and Facebook. Special thanks to Razvan Stoenescu, and all of our wonderful Romanian hosts for making my vine-filled explorations so memorable.
NOROC!
Sharon
June 2022
To Romania with Love
© Spaswinefood
Late Spring, Jidvei Vineyard © Spaswinefood
Castle Bethlen-Haller © Spaswinefood
#Winelover.ro Trip May 31- June 7, 2022 © Spaswinefood
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