Japan's foreign ministry has told its embassies around the world to reduce the number of fine wines they are holding.

Foreign minister Seiji Maehara told the Associated Press that a recent report indicated that collections of fine wine, which is likely to include labels such as Chateau Lafite or Chateau Margaux, are being kept to excessive levels.

One European mission had almost 7,900 bottles - more than 30 times the annual consumption at that embassy in the whole of 2009.

"It would be fine if they kept their stocks, but some missions discarded 1,000 bottles. We have made reforms to bring the inventory to an appropriate level," Mr Maehara told the news agency.

Musician Chris De Burgh recently announced he will be selling a number of wines from his own impressive collection.

The singer told Decanter magazine that bottles such as his Chateau Lafite Rothschild 1945 are simply too good for him to drink.