The Bordeaux harvest has entered its final few weeks on the right and left banks of the River Gironde.

Favourable weather conditions have meant that the chateaux have been able to pick their grapes according to terroir and style, Decanter reports.

Vintners in the region are holding back judgement on the red crop until the harvest is over, but Jean-Philippe Delmas of Chateau Haut Brion is delighted with the quality of the white grapes.

"The white grapes look to be even better than last year, as the fresh nights have meant perfect acidity levels," he told the publication.

Vieux Chateau Certan owner Alexandre Thienpont recently told the Scotsman that Bordeaux 2009 is the best vintage in a generation.

In fact, Bordeaux 2009 has proven so popular with buyers from Asia and South America that US auction houses have seen its value increase by an average of nine per cent during sales in the third quarter of this year.