Asian wine enthusiasts are branching out in their interests, extending their interest from Bordeaux such as Chateau Lafite Rothschild to Burgundy such as Domaine Romanee Conti.

This is the impression given by the latest Sotheby's auction in Hong Kong, which generated HK$107 million (£8.7 million) - a record for the auction house in the city, according to Bloomberg.

"The Asian buyers who are driving the international wine market right now are broadening their horizons," Sotheby's head of wine for Asia Robert Sleigh told the news provider.

Dominating the sale was a case of Romanee Conti 2005, which was sold for HK$1.8 million (£140,000) - 50 per cent more than its high value estimate.

In addition, three double magnums of Chateau Petrus 1989 sold for HK$726,000 (£59,000) on the second day of the sale.

Domaine Romanee Conti owner Aubert de Villaine and Napa producer Larry Hyde are to launch a UK venture which seeks to challenge the traditional view of Californian wine later this month.