A selection of British wine enthusiasts had a day to remember when all five Bordeaux First Growths came together to hold a tasting event in London for the first time.

The exclusive event at the Decanter Fine Wine Encounter gave 90 of the magazine's readers the chance to try some of the best produce from the five First Growths.

Beginning with a Chateau Latour 2008 and ending with a Chateau Lafite Rothschild 1988, guests were able to mingle with the directors of the five estates.

Frederic Engerer of Chateau Latour, Charles Chevallier of Chateau Lafite Rothschild, Paul Pontallier of Chateau Margaux, Jean-Philippe Delmas of Chateau Haut Brion and Herve Berland of Chateau Mouton Rothschild also took to the podium to discuss their own philosophies on wine-making and the future of the industry.

One issue that may have been raised is the use of oak barrelling. Wine critic Jancis Robinson recently suggested in the Financial Times that the big Bordeaux vineyards are beginning to use smaller barrels in their winemaking.

As the taste of oak has gone out of fashion in recent years, chateaux want to reduce their wine's exposure to the wood, she explained.