Decanter publishing director Sarah Kemp during a WaterAid visit to Zambia

Due to the increase in 2014 awards entries, Christie's will this year split the auction into two parts offering bidders the chance to buy wine live next Thursday 23 October in London at 10.30am as well as via an online auction lasting two weeks from October, 30.

A total of 121 lots are being auctioned, of which 65 will be sold live and 56 online. As well as featuring more lots in this year's auction, the size of each lot has also increased, ranging from 24 ?60 bottles per lot.

French wines dominate the auction list, with Bordeaux, Rhone and white Burgundy represented as well as a substantial increase in the total number of Champagne bottles up for auction. Buyers will also be able to bid for Spanish and Italian reds as well as a selection of Ports.

This year's auction marks the ninth year of partnership between Decanter and WaterAid, the international charity dedicated to providing domestic water, sanitation and hygiene education across Africa and Asia. 

Speaking of the partnership Decanter's publishing director Sarah Kemp, who visited Zambia in 2012 to see the work being done by WaterAid with proceeds from the Wine into Water initiative, said: 'Decanter is proud to be one of WaterAid's longest standing corporate partners.

‘I have seen with my own eyes how the money raised by the sale of Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA) wines can save lives. The Christie's sale is a fantastic chance to taste some excellent wines at great value prices, while helping those who need our help most.'

All the wines in each 12-bottle mixed case were entrants in the'over ￡10'category at the DWWA 2014, and the majority of vintages are between 2008 and 2013.

Speaking about the auction David Elswood, international head of wine at Christie's, said; 'We're very happy to be associated with this cause. The fact the lots are being sold directly to benefit WaterAid is a fantastic opportunity for people to contribute to such a worthwhile cause.'

'A substantial amount has already been raised and due to the popularity of the 2014 World Wine Awards there are more bottles to be sold meaning more money for charity.'

Elswood also highlighted the online auction as a chance to entice new buyers; 'Whereas the traditional sales appeal to our traditional clients, the online auctions are reaching a completely different audience bringing a new set of clients who may not have participated in this charity sale before.'

Last year's auction saw a host of bids from buyers around the world raise a total of ￡52,200, bringing the overall amount raised close to ￡440,000.