Bordeaux fine wine is popular with Asian investors because of its simple, clear classification system, an expert has claimed.

Serena Sutcliffe, head of Sotheby's worldwide wine department, told the Financial Times that the classification makes it easier for Chinese wine enthusiasts to see the value in labels such as Chateau Lafite Rothschild, Chateau Latour and Chateau Petrus.

She told the publication: "Bordeaux is very clear to them because it has a hierarchy of chateaux and one owner per chateau.

"Burgundy is more complex and you have to get to know the grower names."

Ms Sutcliffe went on to that younger Bordeaux wines - typically from the last 20 years - are favoured by consumers from Asia, as the fruits complement the flavours of Cantonese food.

Wine magazine Palate Press recently suggested that Asian demand for Bordeaux is likely to result in an increase in the number of online fine wine auctions taking place in 2011.