As we reported last week, America's oldest wine merchant Acker will be staging two showcase auctions later this month in two of the most important wine cities in the world today - New York on March 19, and Hong Kong on March 25.

The smaller American auction features a few great lots that will be of interest to collectors of fine and investors interested in this vibrant alternative market. 

A single bottle of an ancient, 1811 vintage Château d'Yquem has a grand estimate of $24,000-32,000; this wonderful first growth wine from the southern Bordeaux vineyards has been produced since the 18^th Century and is likely to be popular.

Two separate lots, each consisting of 12 bottles, feature a 1961 Château Latour.  Another first growth from Bordeaux, this red has outstanding colour and 12 bottles could set a bidder back by up to $40,000 according to the pre-sale estimates.

Acker's bigger Hong Kong auction has some even more impressive lots available, and is likely to be very competitive considering the popularity of fine wine with the Chinese.  The recent Forbes 'rich list' - which we wrote about here - suggests there may be a few new billionaires looking to invest in the new Chinese craze.

For someone looking to acquire a good foundation for a new wine collection, Lot 205 could be just the ticket.  Comprising eight magnums, this Bordeaux Collection 'Group Duclot' - vintage 2000 - boasts two bottles of Latour, Haut Brion, Pétrus, and Margaux: some of the best collectible wines available.  This group has an estimate of $26,000-35,000.

There are several other highlights.  There is a jeroboam of 1971 Romanée-Conti with a high estimate of $60,000; 12 bottles of 1982 Château Lafite Rothschild which could realise $70,000, and, as always, a dozen bottles of 1982 Chateau Pétrus - an very popular vintage.

However, the star of the show is a 1978 Richebourg.  Hailing from Burgundy and consisting primarily of Pinot Noir grapes, 12 bottles of this French beauty are likely to realise somewhere between $140,000 and $180,000.

There are without doubt some wonderful examples of the fine wine world available this month - all thanks to a company that has sold grape juice to the world for nearly 200 years.