A host of vintage Burgundy wines are to be put up for sale to raise funds for the victims of the Japanese earthquake and tsunami.

March's natural disaster decimated huge swathes of the country's coastline, and the after-effects are still being felt by many citizens made homeless by the giant wall of water.

According to Decanter, the Burgundy Wine Council feels it has a "strong link" with the Japanese people, and it has called on domains and wine houses to donate wines for auction.

More than 50 lots will go on sale in Paris, before a similar amount go under the hammer at Christie's, with all proceeds going to the Japanese Red Cross.

Choice bottles include Chablis Grand Cru Blanchot 1989, Domaine de la Romanee-Conti 1971, Clos de la Roche 1978 and Bonnes-Mares 1973.

In a recent auction, a bottle of Chateau d'Yquem 1811 became the most expensive white wine ever, fetching £75,000.