Chinese investors looking for some good red and a little drop of Cognac

Leggett Immobilier has quietly become one of the leading names in the sale of French vineyards and is forecasting a strong international demand for 2014.
Heading the Bordeaux wine team is Leggett expert Chantal Nollet, based in their Saint-Emilion office, 45 minutes east of Bordeaux. She comments:
“Since 2013 Leggetts have been seeing a buoyant and dynamic vineyard market with considerable interest shown in Bordeaux, Cognac, Provence and Languedoc Roussillon regions. Vineyard prices are still attractive, with land in lesser known appellations around Bordeaux available for as little as 5,000 Euros per hectare, but in regions, such as Cognac, we are seeing property prices increase significantly”.
So what about Chinese interest? Chantal says:
“Demand is high and we have Chinese clients ready to purchase properties up to 50 million Euros. This Chinese investment in French vineyards was supported recently by statistics from SAFER (the French Land Agency), who said that during 2012, a total of 712 vineyards in the Gironde were sold, which equated to almost 3,500 hectares of vines, for a sum of €533 million euros. Chinese buyers were responsible for purchasing 27 of these properties, representing 15% of total sales and involving an estimated 525 hectares of vines. However, serious French investors remains focused on buying well-established vineyards in the more prestigious appellations”.
Currently, Leggetts are offering an a 20 hectare Château vineyard (60 hectares total) set in a beautiful location bordering Saint-Emilion; this superbly maintained estate producing award-winning wines, has a price tag of 6.36 million Euros.
According to Chantal, “the climate and lifestyle in Provence also attracts regular enquiries for vineyards in that region – we have for sale one of the largest and most beautiful wine estates in the Luberon; the property offers 73 hectares of vines, over 8 grape varieties and two registered appellations in full production. Together with its 8 bedroom Maison de Maître offering 1500m2 of accommodation, this would certainly be an opportunity to live the dream”!
For something on a smaller scale, the Right Bank of the Gironde Estuary produces extremely good wines and this beautiful estate is no exception: 8.7 hectares of vines (10 hectares land total) AOC Còtes-de-Bourg, with a traditional Girondine house, is new to the market this week at 1.028.000, Euros.
Chantal sums up by saying:
“Leggetts have always enjoyed an established reputation amongst international buyers for giving an unrivalled quality of service, but it’s their professionalism and attentiveness towards vendors too, that ensures they are recommended by word of mouth amongst the vines, keeping a constant supply of beautiful and commercially important vineyards coming to the market. Is it really any wonder they were awarded Best Estate Agency in France last year”?
http://www.leggettprestige.com/french-property-for-sale/view/28423CJ33/house-for-sale-in-saint-emilion-gironde-aquitaine-france