Christie's has further highlighted the growing importance of Hong Kong as an international fine wine hub by appointing one of its most senior figures to the region.

Charles Curtis MW has been head of North American wine sales at Christie's since 2008, but has now been asked to cement the auction house's place in the emerging Asian market, according to Decanter magazine.

Mr Curtis will be based in Hong Kong, acting as a "valuable resource" for the region's community of investors, looking for quality Bordeaux and Burgundy.

"This burgeoning market is the epicentre of today's trade in fine and rare wine, and Christie's establishment of a full department at this sale location positions us to continue to lead this trade in the decades to come," he told the publication.

A recent Christie's sale in New York saw the world record for the highest value single bottle of wine broken by a 1947 Cheval Blanc, which sold for $304,000 (£191,000).