Wine words

THERE is such a proliferation of vineyards and wineries in the UK it is becoming difficult for a wine-writer to visit them all. However, I’ll always go the extra mile to taste quality wines, such as the ones produced by Huxbear Vineyard in the Teign Valley.

I recently hosted a South Devon wine tasting organised by Wickhams, and for me the standout wine was a Huxbear Classic Sparkling (2018 vintage £22.99). The elegant mature style intrigued me – it soared to great heights as a distinctive wine of quality.

So off I went in search of this Devon winery which is off-grid producing power primarily from renewable sources. The first thing I noted was the undulation in the vineyard, which allows the wind to blow directly through the vines helping to keep them healthy.

The 16,500 vines are now becoming mature – something I noted especially in their Classic Sparking Wine, made exclusively with Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. The depth of flavour created in a seriously developed sipper. With a minimum of 24 months on its lees in the cellar the wines encompasses a richly textured fizz of note.

Huxbear’s still wines offer something a little left-field with an aromatic white named Corbinian, made with Schonberger and Siegerrebe 2018, zipping freshness into the palate. Great with smoked fish or chicken dishes. Their flagship white Dancing Bear Chardonnay 2020 (£17) is enhanced with a three-month internment in American oak, adding yet another layer of complexity to this thoroughly modern fruitdriven wine. Good with spicy risotto maybe?

Latterly a funky Unfiltered Orange Wine

2019 (£14.50) made by allowing the must or juice to contact the grape skins – creating a white wine with defined orange hues sporting an oxidised style with a whiff of Fino sherry and tasty tannins with a slightly ‘sour’ note to the palate. A great match with mature English cheeses.

This is a winery with a mission to produce quality. Minimal intervention is practiced, with wines suitable for vegan imbibers. Tours and wine tastings are also offered – contact Ben or Lucy via www.huxbear.co.uk

The wines are available at the