Chinese investor interest in Bordeaux wine such as Chateau Lafite Rothschild has been sparked by the country's government, it has been claimed.

Michel Negrier, export director of Domaines Barons de Rothschild Lafite, claims that the Chinese authorities encourage consumption of imported grape wine rather than homegrown rice wine, in order to reduce pressure on the crop.

In an interview with the Indian Wine Academy, he also revealed that as Chateau Lafite Rothschild is the wine of choice for government officials, buyers followed their lead.

The Chinese government recently affirmed its enthusiasm for Bordeaux wine by purchasing the 20-hectare Lalande-de-Pomerol estate thorugh one of its firms, Cofco.

However, while Chateau Lafite Rothschild has benefitted greatly from Asian interest in grape wine, he concedes his firm may not have it all its own way.

He told the publication: "We realise that Lafite has been getting a lot of attention from China and thus adding to the price.

"It is possible that the prices will come down eventually as other First Growths also push for their share."