1811 Chateau d'Yquem sells for 37,900

Fine & Rare Wines Ltd sold the rare bottle to New York based consultancy Cellarworks, which specialises in designing fine wine cellars.

It is a record fee for the London merchant and sales director Jamie Graham said it signified the fact that top transatlantic investors were not being put off by the weak dollar.

The bottle Chateau d'Yquem - often touted as one of the best wines ever produced - was sourced from a private European source and reconditioned in 1996.