WHAT is both wet and dry, famously French but made in Barham and has been labelled a Canterbury Celebration?

The answer is the latest sparkling wine from the Elham Valley Vineyard, which trade exhibitors at the County Show said was the closest thing to champagne ever to be harvested in east Kent.

The vineyard is run by the Vale of Elham Trust, a registered charity providing residential care and day opportunities for adults with learning difficulties.

The impressive selection of white wines produced there were on free tasting at the show, but it was the work of the trust as a whole that staff were especially keen to promote.

General manager Linda James explained: "We have 47 adults living in our homes and a further 15 come in for day service.

"They all get involved in many areas of the trust. We have a pottery workshop on site in the grounds, where our students make and decorate objects that we then sell, similarly with arts and crafts and woodwork items."

The vineyard too involves the students, who help with the pruning, harvesting and general care of the vines.

Day service manager and wine expert Brian Davenport said: "The Elham Valley Vineyard is the nearest vineyard to France. We grow several grape varieties and produce some great white wines."