New Zealand's domestic wine industry may be feeling the strain, but a number of auctioneers in the country say sales of first growths and Premier Cru Champagne are stronger than ever.

Auckland-based Webb's has seen its fine wine turnover double in the past year to NZ $1 million (£457,000), Stuff.co.nz reports.

Wine director Simon Ward said demand from emerging markets such as Russia and Asia is helping to push prices to "extraordinary levels".

This month, the auctioneer has a magnum of chateau Mouton-Rothschild valued at between NZ $1,800 and $2,000 (£822 and £913) going under the hammer.

Wine merchant manager Paul Brannigan told the publication: "The biggest increase in sales has been obviously in the cheapest wine but also a large increase in fine wines….Everything in between has bottomed."

New Zealand's own wine industry has been under a cloud in recent weeks, with Awatere Vineyard Holdings, Anthem Holdings, William Hill and Cape Campbell all reporting financial difficulties, according to decanter.com.