French wine makers are invading Sussex according to a leading estate agency.
Wine firms have been asking property firm Strutt & Parker to look out for land that could be turned into vineyards, to be used for making sparkling wines similar to champagne.
Ralph Crathorne, from the firm's land research group, said: "The ideal soil conditions and frost-free, south-facing slopes have been key to the success of the English sparkling wine produced here."
Land is scarce in the Champagne region of France but there are plenty of suitable sites in Sussex, and French companies are willing to cover the financial risks of starting a vineyard.
June 13, 2005
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