Wine producers in Bordeaux and Burgundy may soon need to think about diversifying their grape varietals, it is claimed.

Research from the US, reported in Wine Spectator, notes that almost half of the grape varieties used in wine production belong to the same family.

For instance, Chardonnay was found to have been developed from Pinot Noir, while Cabernet Sauvignon is thought to be a "sibling" of Merlot.

Geneticist Sean Myles and his team of viniculturists said it was surprising to see that the grapes are all so alike.

"Looking at the difference between two grape cultivars on a DNA level is about the same as looking at the difference between a human and a chimpanzee," the publication reports him as saying.

However, Mr Myles points out that with the grapes being so similar, one new disease could prove disastrous, wiping out whole regions of vineyard.

Master of wine Tim Atkin recently told the Drinks Business that the Touriga Nacional grape could "reshape" Bordeaux by diversifying its portfolio.