The poor euro-dollar exchange rate, coupled with the ever-rising price of Bordeaux wine, may put a strain on mid-range sales in the US this year and the next.

Decanter reports that wines that cost $50 to $60 only a few years ago are now commanding double this amount, and prices announced by Bordeaux producers this month have dismayed some US wine dealers.

Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte in Pessac Leognan recently set its 2010 price at €77 (£67), meaning it will retail at around €100 (£88) per bottle - a small fortune for US buyers, once the exchange rate is taken into account.

"I think people really do want to buy the wines, but too few wines in this campaign so far offer compelling prices for what the consumer expects to be in the bottle," Shaun Bishop of Californian retailer JJ Buckley told the publication.

Other Bordeaux 2010 prices announced this month include Grand Puy Lacoste, which came out at a 20 per cent premium on 2009, and Chateau Lagrange, at a more modest 6.4 per cent increase.