One of the top auction houses is planning an expansion in a bid to increase interest in fine wine.

Bonhams sells top Bordeaux, Burgundy and other fine and rare wines from its auction houses in Los Angeles, San Francisco and New York.

The firm discovered last year that running a simultaneous auction in both the LA and San Francisco sales rooms brought more bidders in and generated greater interest overall in the event.

As such, Bonhams has now decided to bring its New York site into the loop, meaning that its next sales of fine and rare wine will be conducted across all three auction rooms, the Drinks Business reports.

Bonham's new global head of wine, Richard Harvey MW, told the publication that having only opened in New York two years ago, the company feels it is important to bring its East Coast profile up to the level enjoyed by the Californian sites.

"We want to do linked sales, with live bidding in New York, San Francisco and Los Angeles," Mr Harvey told the publication.

"From this autumn [September 24th] all three auction sales in the US will be simultaneous."

Bonhams also has a presence in Hong Kong, and while Mr Harvey says that the firm has no plans to add further sales rooms in the Far East, the company is actively looking to take advantage of Chinese interest in Bordeaux.

The expert expects the high price of Chateau Lafite Rothschild to remain steady, but amounts paid for fellow first growths Chateau Mouton Rothschild and Chateau Latour will continue to rise.

As for Burgundy, Mr Harvey believes that there is only one producer that can truly thrive in the east.

"The volumes are so small it's so hard to see of any producer other than Domaine de la Romanee Conti creating that kind of market," he explained.

Rival auction house Sotheby's recently suggested that the high prices commanded for 2010 Bordeaux en primeur could push Asian wine collectors back to the auction market in search of good value older vintages.