New Vintage, New Personality: The Significance of a Wine’s Vintage

The term ‘vintage’ in wine refers to the year in which the grapes were harvested to create a wine, and is indicated on the wine’s label. The vintage tells you that the wine reflects the unique characteristics of that specific year’s growing conditions.

Think of it like a snapshot in time of that year’s weather, soil and the decisions made by the winemakers. These factors can play a huge part in the flavour, structure and aging potential of the wine. For example, a wet summer but dry autumn can produce more vibrant, fruity wines, while a hotter year might yield richer, bolder flavors. So, drinking a 2022 versus a 2023 can be an entirely different experience. Exciting, right?

Skye’s Chardonnay 2023: Elegance and Brightness

This is why we, and other wineries around the world, update the tasting notes for our wines to reflect the vintage. Skye’s Chardonnay is a perfect example of this as it is crafted to express the specific weather patterns of each year. You may have tasted Skye’s Chardonnay 2022 before – a bold and sunny vintage, which delivered richness and ripe fruit reflecting the warmer weather of that year.

But tasting the 2023 vintage is a different story: all about elegance and brightness, the fruit is crisp and crunchy with a vibrancy on the palate. The alcohol is slightly lower by 0.5%, making it feel refreshing and finely balanced. Why the difference? 2023 was a cooler, more reserved year here in England. A beautiful June, which is crucial for grape flowering, meant healthy yields. But the summer months of July and August were unusually grey and overcast. Luckily, the sunshine returned just in time: September warmed up, and by October we were enjoying short heatwaves, giving the grapes a final push before harvest (which, in England, tends to start later, late September into October). The result was a wine telling a different story. Fergus Elias, Head Winemaker at Balfour, said: “From a superb vintage for Chardonnay, the 2023 Skye’s release is my favourite yet.”

Perfect Spring Pairings for Skye’s Chardonnay 2023

Skye’s Chardonnay 2023’s freshness and vibrancy makes it very versatile when pairing with food. Here are some simple, seasonal pairings to enjoy right now:

Linguine with Lemon Zest and Parsley

This spring-bright dish of lemon and parsley linguine mirrors the wine’s zesty lime, starfruit vibrancy, and floral lift, creating a pairing that’s fresh and elegant.

Goat’s Cheese Salad with Spring Greens and Asparagus

This goat’s cheese salad with spring greens and asparagus will complement the wine’s crisp acidity and floral notes, while its creamy texture contrasts beautifully with the bright, citrus-driven freshness of the Chardonnay.

Low-Effort Food Pairings

And if you don’t feel like cooking, Skye’s Chardonnay 2023 is just as happy keeping you company on the sofa; telly on, feet up, and a few great snacks in reach.

Popcorn with Sea Salt and Cracked Pepper

The wine’s vibrant acidity and flinty edge cut through the salt and elevate the pepper’s spice, making this humble snack feel seriously sophisticated.

Perelló Salted Catalan Almonds

The savoury saltiness of the Perelló Catalan almonds softens the wine’s bright acidity, while that same acidity cuts through their natural oiliness, creating a perfectly balanced and moreish bite between sips.