Wines Codru Cricova - Chardonnay - 2024

Cricova’s 2024 Cuvée Chardonnay in the Codru appellation offers a glimpse into Moldova’s emerging reputation for lively and expressive white wines. This wine carries the pale gold hue typical of youthful Chardonnays and, depending on the winemaking choices, one might expect aromas ranging from crisp green apple and citrus to more subtle notes of white peach or acacia blossom. Cricova is renowned for its extensive cellars and meticulous approach to vinification, often favouring temperature-controlled fermentations that preserve freshness and aromatic clarity. As a dry white wine, this cuvée should display a balanced acidity, leading to a clean, refreshing finish, with possible hints of minerality drawn from the local terroir.

Codru is Moldova’s largest and perhaps most prestigious wine region, set in the heart of the country where rolling hills and dense forests help create a unique mesoclimate. Cool to moderate temperatures in Codru extend the ripening season, allowing grapes such as Chardonnay to mature slowly, developing both aromatics and balanced natural acidity. The soils here are a mix of limestone, clay, and loamy deposits, which can lend a subtle mineral complexity to the wines. Moldovan viticulture is ancient, with a winemaking history stretching back thousands of years, and Codru is noted for producing some of its most elegant whites.

For food pairing, this Cuvée Chardonnay would be a delightful companion to a variety of dishes. With its crisp profile, it works well with simply grilled fish, seafood salads, or chicken in a light herb sauce. It also suits fresh cheeses or vegetable terrines. For a touch of local flavour, try serving it with Moldovan “plăcintă” pastries filled with cheese or potato.

This wine is best enjoyed well chilled, around 8–10°C, to allow its freshness and subtle aromatics to shine. Pour into moderately sized white wine glasses to enhance its bouquet and sip slowly to appreciate its youthful vibrancy and Codru character.