# Crios Chardonnay (2025)

- **Producer:** Susana Balbo Wines
- **Colour:** white
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Chardonnay
- **Region:** Mendoza, Argentina
- **Style:** Classic
- **Alcohol:** 13.0%
- **Average price:** €14
- **Vegan:** Yes
- **Contains sulphites:** Yes
- **When to drink:** Now or Later
- **Serving temperature:** 8–10 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** apple, pear, peach, lemon, grapefruit, melon, butter, bread

## About this wine

Crios is the signature family line from Susana Balbo, Argentina's trailblazing first female winemaker. The name 'Crios' translates to 'offspring' and is a tribute to her children, José and Ana, who now work alongside her at the estate. Sourced from high-altitude vineyards in the prestigious Uco Valley of Mendoza, this wine represents a modern, fresh expression of Argentine Chardonnay, showcasing the vibrant energy and purity of fruit that the region's cool climate and intense sunlight can produce.

## Interesting facts

- Susana Balbo was the first woman in Argentina to earn a professional degree in enology in 1981.
- The iconic handprints on the Crios label represent Susana's children, symbolizing a mother's love and legacy.
- The grapes are grown at elevations exceeding 1,100 meters, where extreme diurnal temperature shifts preserve natural acidity.

## Food pairing

This crisp, medium-bodied Chardonnay thrives alongside dishes that match its vibrant acidity and clean fruit profile. It pairs beautifully with lean proteins, light buttery sauces, and fresh herbs, cutting through moderate richness without overpowering the food.

## Wine making process

The grapes are harvested by hand from select parcels in the Uco Valley. Upon arrival at the winery, they undergo gentle pressing. Fermentation takes place in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks at cool temperatures to preserve the delicate primary fruit aromas. To enhance texture and complexity without losing the wine's signature freshness, a small portion of the wine may undergo light lees contact with periodic stirring, while oak influence is kept to an absolute minimum to maintain a clean, crisp profile.