Bordeaux needs to think carefully about the future of its wine produce, it has been claimed.

Michel Rolland's export manager Pascal Fricard feels that the gap between the top producers such as Chateau Lafite Rothschild and Chateau Latour and the smaller growers in the region is becoming too large, the Drinks Business reports.

Mr Fricard added that rather than see smaller vineyards go out of business, the region needed to consider the possibility of growing non-native grapes to increase variety.

"They don't want to lose vineyards in case demand increases again. For me, it could be more interesting to develop other grape varieties under Vin de Pays, especially as the climate is changing," he told the publication.

Mr Fricard's comments echo those of wine critic Elin McCoy, who warned earlier this month that wine lovers were being scared away from smaller Bordeaux chateaux by the high prices of the major labels.